The Significance of Canada's Contribution to the Resolution of the Suez Crisis.
The Significance of Canada’s Contribution to the Resolution of the Suez Crisis
By: Alex Day
The Significance of Canada’s Contribution to the Resolution of the Suez Crisis
The 1956 Suez Crisis was an eye opener for many Canadians, showing them an unstable and troubled Middle East. Not only were the Arabs and the State of Israel fighting over land, but other disputes broke out, such as the ownership of the Suez Canal. The Canal was an extremely important waterway connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Armed conflict soon broke out about its ownership. The Canadian efforts and Lester Pearson’s conciliatory role during the Suez Crisis, lead many Canadians today to look upon peacekeeping with a proprietary air. To assess the significance of Canada’s contribution to the resolution of the Suez Crisis it is necessary to look at both the background of the Suez Crisis and Lester Pearson’s role. Both of these have continued to affect Canada and Canadian attitudes. With these topics in mind, the question of the significance of Canada’s contribution to the resolution of the Suez Crisis will be successfully evaluated.
The predominantly Anglo-French Suez Canal was seized on July 26, 1956 by Egyptian president Nasser. The Suez Canal was first built by the French and then acquired by the British, and finally taken back by Egypt. This sudden move by Nasser was because he believed he was missing out on an opportunity to create revenue. President Nasser promised compensation to the British and French companies who had invested in the canal, however, by this time Britain, France and Israel had joined together, and begun plotting to take back the canal and overthrow Nasser. As British, French and Israeli troops began to move into Egypt, the Soviet Union encouraged Nasser to hold his ground, providing him with weapons and critical intelligence. The Crisis soon escalated from a small territorial dispute, into a threat toward another world war. During these events, the NORAD partners did not agree with the attacks on Egypt. Even with the other countries opposing them, the British, French and Israeli troops continued to advance, finally regaining control of the Suez Canal. As the death toll in the Middle East continued to rise significantly, United Nations stepped in hoping to create a peaceful resolution.
