Emergent Nationalism in the Middle East Arab Nationalism

Emergent Nationalism in the Middle East Arab Nationalism and the Suez Crisis

OVERVIEW In this lesson we examine: • The background of Arab nationalism • Nasser and ‘Pan-Arabism’ • International involvement in the Suez Crisis • Factors for long-term conflict

Background of Arab Nationalism • At the beginning of the 20 th century, the Ottoman Empire was in decline • European states took over outer territories such as the British takeover of Egypt • During WWI, Arabs with British support led a revolt against the ottoman Empire in return for sovereignty

• Egypt, Iraq, Palestine and Transjordan were under British control • Lebanon and Syria were French mandates • By the end of WWII, most of the mandates had become kingdoms under Arab rule

Nasser and Pan-Arabism: • Called for unity of all After the Arab states in North Africa and the Middle East Israeli War of 1948, • Was intended to be Gamal Abdel Nasser secular (religion & seized power in government separate) and suppressed Muslim Egypt. What were extremism the key parts of his • Was influenced by Marxist ‘Pan-Arab’ socialist ideals but wanted to be non-aligned platform? during the Cold War

International involvement in the Suez Crisis Several key actions by Nasser began to agitate Britain, France and Israel: • Purchased arms from Czechoslovakia in 1955 • Forced British forces out of the Suez Canal in 1956 • Condemned the anti-Soviet, Baghdad Pact of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan

Up until 1956, the US and the World Bank offered loans for Egypt’s Aswan hydroelectric dam project. The West withdrew financial support and in response, Nasser… How did Britain, France and Israel • nationalized the Suez Canal react? • forced foreign engineers out of the country • bought out British and French shareholders

In a secret meeting at Sevres, Britain, France and Israel decided: • Israel would invade Egypt on the pretense of opening the Gulf of Aquba Why was the Suez Canal still valuable • Britain and France would offer a to Britain and France 1956? ceasefire, leaving Israel inin Egyptian territory • Britain and France would invade Egypt after it rejected the ceasefire

• Britain, France and Israel had successfully invaded the Suez Canal and Sinai Peninsula • The USSR threatened to attack Britain and France. The US supported UN resolutions for a ceasefire and threatened to withdraw financial support to Britain • Britain, France and Israel were forced to withdraw and UN peacekeepers monitored the withdrawal on Egyptian territory – Lester Pearson wins the Nobel Peace Prize for creating the United Nations peacekeepers

Factors for long-term conflict • Both the US and USSR increased their influence in the Middle East In the aftermath of the conflict • Nasser emerged as a popular defender of Arab what factors ensured future interests conflict was inevitable? • Israel saw the success of unilateral action in dealing with its neighbours • The Gulf of Aquba and Palestinian refugees were unresolved issues

SUMMARY QUESTIONS • Why did Nasser nationalize the Suez Canal and how did Britain and France respond? • What lesson did Britain and France learn about their influence in the post WWII world? • Why were the US and USSR so concerned with their reputations among Arab states?