Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 3 Increased…
Full specification wording
Option P5: Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 3 Increased tension, 1955–63: The events and significance of the Suez Crisis (1956), including the formation of the UAR in 1958.
The 1956 Suez Crisis began when Egyptian President Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal, prompting a secret military response from Britain, France, and Israel.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The 1956 Suez Crisis began when Egyptian President Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal, prompting a secret military response from Britain, France, and Israel. Israel invaded Sinai, allowing Anglo-French forces to intervene under the guise of peacekeepers. However, intense pressure from the USA and USSR forced a humiliating withdrawal of the invading forces. The crisis significantly boosted Nasser's prestige as a champion of Arab nationalism, despite Egypt's military defeat. This surge in pan-Arab sentiment directly led to the formation of the United Arab Republic (UAR) in 1958, a political union between Egypt and Syria. The UAR aimed to encircle Israel and unify the Arab world, significantly increasing regional tensions and cementing Nasser's leadership.
What earns the marks
- Detail the nationalisation of the Suez Canal by Nasser as the trigger for the crisis.
- Explain the secret collusion between Britain, France, and Israel to regain control of the canal.
- Analyse the role of the USA and USSR in forcing the withdrawal of British, French, and Israeli troops.
- Explain how Nasser's political victory led to the creation of the United Arab Republic (UAR) with Syria in 1958.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming that Britain and France won the Suez Crisis.
Put it right: Although militarily successful, they suffered a massive political defeat and were forced to withdraw.
Stating the UAR included all Arab nations.
Put it right: The UAR was specifically a union between Egypt and Syria, lasting from 1958 to 1961.
Ignoring Israel's role in the crisis.
Put it right: Israel's invasion of Sinai was the planned pretext for Anglo-French intervention.
Exam tips
- Emphasise the contrast between Egypt's military defeat and Nasser's massive political victory.
- Connect the outcome of the Suez Crisis directly to the rise of pan-Arabism and the formation of the UAR.
- Discuss the Suez Crisis as a turning point that marked the decline of British and French imperial influence in the Middle East.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option P5: Key topic 1: The birth of the state of Israel, 1945–63 - 3 Increased tension, 1955–63: The events and significance of the Suez Crisis (1956), including the formation of the UAR in 1958. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which action taken by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser in July 1956 directly triggered the Suez Crisis?
Listen
The 1956 Suez Crisis began when Egyptian President Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal, prompting a secret military response from Britain, France, and Israel. Israel invaded Sinai, allowing Anglo-French forces to intervene under the guise of peacekeepers. However, intense pressure from the USA and USSR forced a humiliating withdrawal of the invading forces. The crisis significantly boosted Nasser's prestige as a champion of Arab nationalism, despite Egypt's military defeat. This surge in pan-Arab sentiment directly led to the formation of the United Arab Republic (UAR) in 1958, a political union between Egypt and Syria. The UAR aimed to encircle Israel and unify the Arab world, significantly increasing regional tensions and cementing Nasser's leadership. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Detail the nationalisation of the Suez Canal by Nasser as the trigger for the crisis. Explain the secret collusion between Britain, France, and Israel to regain control of the canal. Analyse the role of the USA and USSR in forcing the withdrawal of British, French, and Israeli troops. Explain how Nasser's political victory led to the creation of the United Arab Republic (UAR) with Syria in 1958. A common slip: Claiming that Britain and France won the Suez Crisis. Instead, Although militarily successful, they suffered a massive political defeat and were forced to withdraw. Exam tip: Emphasise the contrast between Egypt's military defeat and Nasser's massive political victory.
See it
Put it in order
Put these steps in the order they happen.
- 1. Pressure from the USA and USSR
- 2. Formation of the United Arab Republic with Syria in 1958
- 3. Humiliating withdrawal of invading forces
- 4. Nasser nationalises the Suez Canal
- 5. Secret military response from Britain, France and Israel
- 6. Nasser's prestige boosted as champion of Arab nationalism
- 7. Israel invades Sinai
- 8. Anglo-French forces intervene as peacekeepers
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Superpower intervention
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
United Arab Republic (UAR)
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Nationalisation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Superpower intervention
- Intense pressure from the USA and USSR that forced a humiliating withdrawal of the invading forces during the Suez Crisis.
- United Arab Republic (UAR)
- A political union between Egypt and Syria formed in 1958, aiming to encircle Israel and unify the Arab world.
- Nationalisation
- Nasser's takeover of the Suez Canal, which was the trigger for the 1956 Suez Crisis.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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