Download Core Practice Nasser and the Canal

World History
E. Napp
Core Practice: Nasser and the Canal
Name: _______________________
Date: _______________________
Pre-Primary Source Activity:
A Thought to Consider:
During the Age of Imperialism, the nations of Western Europe conquered and colonized
many lands in Africa and Asia. After years of colonial rule, the conquered peoples fought;
for control of their own lands and resources; for independence; for freedom from
imperialists. Decolonization movements swept through the post-World War II world. In
Africa, Egypt was already an independent nation in the 1950s but the Suez Canal, a critical
chokepoint that connected the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, was owned by investors
ranging from the British government to French shareholders. When the U.S.A. announced
withdrawal of aid to Egypt after the Egyptian government had concluded an arms deal
with Czechoslovakia (a Soviet satellite) and the U.S. government refused to provide aid to
help the Egyptians build the Aswan Dam, Gamal Abdel Nasser, the then leader of Egypt,
took steps declaring Egyptian ownership of the canal in 1956. The nationalization of the
canal prompted the Suez crisis. British, French, and Israeli troops seized the canal but the
U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. intervened. Of course, after the Second World War, the
superpowers were engaged in a Cold War and tensions between the Americans and Soviets
were high. Wanting to avoid a serious conflict, the Americans and Soviets pressured the
British, French, and Israelis to leave the canal in Egyptian hands. While Nasser was
ultimately successful in the nationalization of the canal, he had no way of knowing the
outcome of his actions when he first announced his intentions for full Egyptian ownership
of the canal. In the primary source that follows, students will read Nasser’s speech about
the potentially dangerous days that lay ahead for the Egyptian people and the canal.
Questions:
 What happened during the Age of Imperialism?
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 Define decolonization.
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 Why do you believe decolonization movements became increasingly popular and
successful after the Second World War?
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Why is the Suez Canal a critical chokepoint?
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Who was Gamal Abdel Nasser and why did he take steps to nationalize the Suez
Canal?
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What was the Cold War?
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Why did the U.S.A. refuse aid to Egypt?
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Why did Nasser nationalize the Suez Canal?
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What happened when Nasser nationalized the canal?
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How did Cold War politics influence the outcome of the Suez crisis?
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The Primary Source:
Denouncement of the Proposal for a Canal Users' Association, 1956
Speech by President Nasser of the United Arab Republic, September 15, 1956
Source: The Suez Canal Problem, 26 July-22 September 1956, U.S. Department of State
Publication No. 6392 (Washington: G.P.O., 1956), pp. 345-351.
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1956Nasser-suez1.html
“In these decisive days in the history of mankind, these days in which truth struggles to
have itself recognized in international chaos where powers of evil domination and
imperialism have prevailed, Egypt stands firmly to preserve her sovereignty. Your country
stands solidly and staunchly to preserve her dignity against imperialistic schemes of a
number of nations who have uncovered their desires for domination and supremacy.
In these days and in such circumstances Egypt has resolved to show the world that when
small nations decide to preserve their sovereignty, they will do that all right and that when
these small nations are fully determined to defend their rights and maintain their dignity,
they will undoubtedly succeed in achieving their ends. . . .
I am speaking in the name of every Egyptian Arab and in the name of all free countries
and of all those who believe in liberty and are ready to defend it. I am speaking in the name
of principles proclaimed by these countries in the Atlantic Charter. But they are now
violating these principles and it has become our lot to shoulder the responsibility of
reaffirming and establishing them anew. . . .
We have tried by all possible means to cooperate with those countries which claim to
assist smaller nations and which promised to collaborate with us but they demanded their
fees in advance. This we refused so they started to fight with us. They said they will pay
toward building the High Dam and then they withdrew their offer and cast doubts on the
Egyptian economy. Are we to declaim [disclaim?] our sovereign right? Egypt insists her
sovereignty must remain intact and refuses to give up any part of that sovereignty for the
sake of money.
Questions:
1. How does Nasser describe “these decisive days”?
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2. According to Nasser, where does Egypt stand in these decisive days?
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3. According to Nasser, what has Egypt resolved to show the world?
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4. According to Nasser, who is he speaking for?
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5. According to Nasser, what has Egypt tried to do?
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6. According to Nasser, why has conflict occurred between Egypt and the nations
which promised to collaborate with Egypt?
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7. According to Nasser, what must Egypt maintain?
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Egypt nationalized the Egyptian Suez Canal company. When Egypt granted the
concession to de Lesseps it was stated in the concession between the Egyptian Government
and the Egyptian company that the company of the Suez Canal is an Egyptian company
subject to Egyptian authority. Egypt nationalized this Egyptian company and declared
freedom of navigation will be preserved.
But the imperialists became angry. Britain and France said Egypt grabbed the Suez
Canal as if it were part of France or Britain. The British Foreign Secretary forgot that only
two years ago he signed an agreement stating the Suez Canal is an integral part of Egypt.
Egypt declared she was ready to negotiate. But as soon as negotiations began threats and
intimidations started. . . .
Eden stated in the House of Commons there shall be no discrimination between states
using the canal. We on our part reaffirm that and declare there is no discrimination
between canal users. He also said Egypt shall not be allowed to succeed because that would
spell success for Arab nationalism and would be against their policy, which aims at the
protection of Israel.
Questions:
8. How does Nasser describe Egypt’s relationship to the Egyptian Suez Canal
Company?
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9. According to Nasser, how did Britain and France respond to Egypt’s nationalization
of the canal?
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10. According to Nasser, what did the British Foreign Secretary forget?
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11. On what point does Nasser agree with Eden and the House of Commons?
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12. According to Nasser, why did the British not want Egypt to succeed in the
nationalization of the canal?
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Today they are speaking of a new association whose main objective would be to rob Egypt
of the canal and deprive her of rightful canal dues. Suggestions made by Eden in the House
of Commons which have been backed by France and the United States are a clear violation
of the 1888 convention, since it is impossible to have two bodies organizing navigation in
the canal. . . .
By stating that by succeeding, Abdel Nasser would weaken Britain’s stand against Arab
nationalism, Eden is in fact admitting his real objective is not Abdel Nasser as such but
rather to defeat Arab nationalism and crush its cause. Eden speaks and finds his own
answer. A month ago he let out the cry that he was after Abdel Nasser. Today the Egyptian
people are fully conscious of their sovereign rights and Arab nationalism is fully awakened
to its new destiny....
Those who attack Egypt will never leave Egypt alive. We shall fight a regular war, a total
war, a guerrilla war. Those who attack Egypt will soon realize they brought disaster upon
themselves. He who attacks Egypt attacks tile whole Arab world. They say in their papers
the – whole thing will be over in forty-eight hours. They do not know how strong we really
are.
We believe in international law. But we will never submit. We shall show the world how a
small country can stand in the face of great powers threatening with armed might. Egypt
might be a small power but she is great inasmuch as she has faith in her power and
convictions. I feel quite certain every Egyptian shares the same convictions as I do and
believes in everything I am stressing now.
We shall defend our freedom and independence to the last drop of our blood. This is the
stanch feeling of every Egyptian. The whole Arab nation will stand by us in our common
fight against aggression and domination. Free peoples, too, people who are really free will
stand by us and support us against the forces of tyranny….”
Questions:
13. According to Nasser, what is a clear violation of the 1888 convention?
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14. According to Nasser, what is Eden admitting?
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15. According to Nasser, what will happen to those who attack Egypt?
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16. According to Nasser, what will Egypt show the world?
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17. According to Nasser, who will stand with the Egyptian people?
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Enrichment Activities (To Be Completed on a Separate Piece of Paper):
1. Create a glossary for the article.
2. Do you believe that Egyptian government had the right to nationalize the canal?
Defend your position with a clear and logical argument.
3. How has imperialism given rise to nationalism and how have these forces changed
world history?
4. Cartoon Analysis - Look closely at the following cartoons and write a summary for
each:
Summary:
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