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The Suez Crisis erupts on July 26, 1956 when Egyptian President
Abdul Nasser nationalises the Suez Canal Company – which had
been run by the French with the British government as the
largest single shareholder.   Dubbed “the lifeline of Empire”,
the Canal was an absolutely vital conduit for oil. If Nasser
blocked the precious flow, he could cripple the British economy.
Just as critical, Nasser’s dramatic gesture comes during the
midst of the Cold War while Britain and France are struggling to
maintain their influence in the Middle East and North Africa as
well as their own sense of relevance.  For British Prime
Minister, Anthony Eden, the whole issue is an echo of his own
struggle during the 1930s an d 1940s to confront Hitler and
Mussolini.  The British cabinet concedes in private that
Nasser’s action is technically legal – especially as he claims
he will reimburse the shareholders. But London and Paris both
feel they cannot afford to suffer th