January 25th, 1952
Suez Canal
Ismailia
Anti-British riots follow British forces seize the police HQ at Ismailia
World History Database / Suez War / Those involved
Anthony Eden
Great Britain
Prime Minister of Great Britain
126 archival records
December 19th, 1955
Britain Joins Proposed Western Dam Funding
Cairo
Anthony Eden's government joined the discussions of British participation in funding the proposed Egyptian hydroelectric and irrigation scheme.
1956
Canal International Navigation Debate Intensifies
London
British discussion focuses on keeping the international shipping route accessible after the transfer of the canal company to Egypt.
1956
Eden Accepts Suez Ceasefire
London
Under international pressure, Eden's government agrees to halt military operations in Egypt.
1956
Eden Announces British Military Action
London
Eden publicly defends British and French military action by invoking the security and operation of the canal.
1956
Eden Appeals to Washington
London
Eden seeks United States support for an international response to the nationalization decision.
1956
Eden Authorizes Suez Intervention
London
Eden's government ultimately turns to military intervention after unsuccessful attempts to secure its preferred settlement.
1956
Eden Considers Economic Retaliation
London
The prime minister examines financial and diplomatic measures designed to pressure the Egyptian government.
1956
Eden Consults Senior Ministers
London
Eden holds urgent consultations about the canal company's seizure and British strategic interests.
1956
Eden Debates Canal Users Association
London
The British government considers creating a body of canal users to strengthen international oversight of navigation.
1956
Eden Discusses Canal With France
London
Eden opens intensive contacts with French leaders who also oppose Egyptian control of the canal company.
1956
Eden Faces American Diplomatic Opposition
London
Eden confronts growing differences with Washington over the acceptable means of resolving the canal dispute.
1956
Eden Faces Parliamentary Suez Debate
Westminster
Opposition politicians challenge Eden's approach as the dispute develops into a major foreign policy crisis.
1956
Eden Orders Military Contingency Planning
London
British military planners are instructed to examine options for intervention if diplomatic efforts fail.
1956
Eden Receives Suez Nationalization News
London
Eden learns that Gamal Abdel Nasser has announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal Company.
1956
Eden Rejects Unconditional Egyptian Control
London
Eden argues that the canal's importance to international shipping requires reliable guarantees of access.
1956
Eden Supports London Canal Conference
London
Eden backs an international conference to establish proposals for the future operation of the waterway.
1956
Eden Weighs United Nations Action
London
Eden considers how the dispute might be addressed at the United Nations while maintaining pressure on Egypt.
1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
Eden compares Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal with the nationalism of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler 20 yrs earlier.
1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Allies agree Israel should invade & Britain & France would intervene & instruct the Israeli & Egyptian armies to withdraw 10 miles either side of the canal.
1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Canal owners, Compagnie universelle du canal maritime de Suez, held a secret meeting between Israel, France & Britain at Sevres, outside Paris.
1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The US will support Britain if it accepts the United Nations solution, the pound collapses.
1956
Suez Historic Waterway Role Reconsidered
London
The canal's strategic history is invoked in the nationalization controversy, reflecting its longstanding importance to British interests.
April 15th, 1956
London Reconsiders Egyptian Dam Assistance
Cairo
British policymakers reviewed the proposed contribution amid growing disagreements with Egypt over regional security and foreign policy.
July 1st, 1956
Britain Questions Continuation of High Dam Offer
Cairo
The British government considered whether it should remain committed to funding the High Dam amid deteriorating relations with Cairo.
July 19th, 1956
British Government Withdraws Dam Financing Commitment
Cairo
Britain withdrew its financing offer following the American decision, removing another major component of the proposed Western aid package.
July 26th, 1956
British Government Receives Canal Seizure News
London
Anthony Eden learned of Egypt's nationalization announcement and began consultations on the implications for British commercial and strategic interests.
July 26th, 1956
Canal Nationalization
Downing Street
Receives news that Nasser has nationalised the Suez Canal Company and calls ministers for urgent consultations
July 26th, 1956
Canal Nationalization
London
Responds to Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal by preparing political and military countermeasures
July 26th, 1956
Emergency Cabinet Called after Nationalisation
London
Eden summons ministers after learning that Egypt has nationalised the Suez Canal Company.
July 26th, 1956
Prime Minister Calls Ministers After Nationalization
London
Anthony Eden consulted senior colleagues after Egypt nationalized the canal company and began preparing a firm political response.
July 27th, 1956
British Cabinet Weighs Options After Nationalization
London
Anthony Eden and his ministers examined diplomatic, economic, and military options after the Suez Canal Company was nationalized.
July 27th, 1956
Military Options Requested from Chiefs
London
Eden asks military chiefs to examine options for restoring Western control of the canal.
July 28th, 1956
London Rejects Canal Takeover After Funding Dispute
Cairo
Anthony Eden opposed the nationalization move that followed the collapse of the earlier British and American High Dam financing offer.
July 30th, 1956
British Planning Weighs Military Contingencies
London
Anthony Eden's government explored military preparations while publicly seeking an international response to the nationalization.
August 1st, 1956
British Cabinet Considers Multinational Canal Talks
London
Anthony Eden's government considered international conference proposals as it sought allies for a response to Egypt's new canal administration.
August 2nd, 1956
Cabinet Considers International Canal Control Plan
London
Anthony Eden sought support for arrangements that would reduce unilateral Egyptian control over the canal's operations.
August 2nd, 1956
House of Commons Debate
London
Defends a firm British response to Nasser during the first major Commons debate after nationalization
August 4th, 1956
Cabinet Links Canal Dispute to Regional Security
London
Anthony Eden treated the nationalization as a wider strategic challenge to British influence and security interests in the Middle East.
August 8th, 1956
Canal Dispute Threatens British Currency Stability
London
Anthony Eden faced growing concerns that prolonged confrontation with Egypt could weaken confidence in sterling and strain national reserves.
August 10th, 1956
British Leaders Seek Allies for Canal Settlement
London
Anthony Eden sought backing from other governments for an international response rather than relying solely on bilateral British objections.
August 22nd, 1956
Cabinet Reassesses Failed London Conference
London
Anthony Eden reviewed the failure to obtain Egyptian acceptance of a multinational operating formula following the London negotiations.
September 1956
Military Planning
London
Authorises military planning with France for intervention against Egypt
September 12th, 1956
Association Proposed to Supply Canal Pilots
London
Anthony Eden outlined a plan for a users association that could provide qualified pilots to guide member vessels through the canal.
September 12th, 1956
Britain Backs Voluntary Maritime Users Body
London
Anthony Eden explained to Parliament that Britain supported an association of canal users to coordinate shipping interests and seek practical cooperation with Egypt.
September 12th, 1956
Canal Toll Payments Redirected in Proposal
London
Anthony Eden described arrangements under which member ships would pay tolls to the association, with appropriate payment made to Egypt for its services.
September 12th, 1956
Eden Publicly Advances Users Association Concept
London
Anthony Eden proposed organizing canal users to protect freedom of navigation after talks with Egypt failed to produce an agreed operating framework.
September 12th, 1956
Suez Canal Users Association
London
Backs plans for a users association to challenge Egyptian control of canal operations
September 14th, 1956
Canal Pilots Crisis Reviewed
London
Eden reviews contingency plans as foreign canal pilots prepare to leave Egyptian service.
September 15th, 1956
British Leaders Test Support Among Canal Users
London
Anthony Eden's government worked to gain wider acceptance of the proposed users association before the second London meeting.
September 19th, 1956
Prime Minister Searches for Wider Political Backing
London
Anthony Eden sought to maintain party and Cabinet cohesion while a second London conference discussed the canal users proposal.
September 21st, 1956
British Government Weighs Limits of Association Plan
London
Anthony Eden's government considered whether voluntary cooperation by canal users would exert enough influence over Egyptian canal policy.
September 23rd, 1956
Security Council
United Nations
Submits the Suez dispute to the United Nations Security Council
September 23rd, 1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
Submits the Suez dispute to the United Nations Security Council
October 13th, 1956
Ministers Assess Security Council Six Principles
London
Anthony Eden's government evaluated the UN principles as disagreement remained over how canal operation would be organized.
October 14th, 1956
Chequers Meeting
Chequers
Meets senior ministers as British policy moves closer to coordinated action with France and Israel
October 22nd, 1956
Secret Intervention Planning Bypasses Broader Debate
London
The Prime Minister pursued secret coordination with France and Israel without disclosing the full arrangement to the entire British Cabinet.
October 23rd, 1956
Eden Weighs French Proposal for Joint Action
London
Anthony Eden discussed the French proposal for an Anglo-French response following an Israeli advance, while keeping the contacts closely restricted.
October 24th, 1956
Secret Sevres Plan Anticipates Intervention Demand
London
Anthony Eden's government participated in a secret arrangement under which an Israeli attack would be followed by Anglo French demands for separation.
October 24th, 1956
Sevres Collusion
Sevres
Secretly agrees with France and Israel on the sequence leading to intervention in Egypt
October 24th, 1956
Suez Collusion
Sevres
Britain, France and Israel secretly agree the sequence of Israeli invasion, ultimatum and Anglo-French intervention
October 25th, 1956
British Leadership Faces Protocol Documentation Question
London
Anthony Eden's circle considered the sensitivity of the written Sèvres arrangements, which could expose prior coordination with Israel if disclosed.
October 25th, 1956
Sevres Arrangement Approved
London
Eden approves implementation of the secret arrangement reached with France and Israel.
October 29th, 1956
British Ministers Review Egyptian Intervention Plans
London
Anthony Eden's government prepared to invoke a threat to canal navigation following the Israeli invasion of Sinai, setting the stage for Anglo-French action.
October 29th, 1956
Cabinet Confronts Sudden Israeli Invasion
London
The start of Israel's Sinai campaign made the Prime Minister's planned Anglo French intervention an immediate question for the government.
October 29th, 1956
Israeli Invasion
London
Uses Israel's invasion of Sinai as the trigger for the planned Anglo-French ultimatum
October 30th, 1956
Anglo-French Ultimatum
London
Issues an Anglo-French ultimatum to Egypt and Israel after Israel's invasion of Sinai
October 30th, 1956
Cabinet Commits to Ultimatum Course
London
Anthony Eden's government issued its ultimatum demanding withdrawal from the canal approaches and acceptance of Anglo French intervention.
October 30th, 1956
Canal Traffic Faces War Risk After Israeli Attack
Suez Canal
Britain's ultimatum followed the Israeli invasion, creating a military emergency that endangered shipping through the canal.
October 30th, 1956
Military Intervention Eclipses Canal Association Strategy
London
Anthony Eden shifted to an Anglo-French ultimatum after the Israeli invasion, overtaking the unresolved diplomatic plan for a voluntary users association.
October 30th, 1956
Prearranged Ultimatum Activates Sevres Sequence
London
Anthony Eden's government issued its ultimatum after the Israeli attack began, following the sequence laid out in the secret protocol.
October 30th, 1956
Prime Minister Presents Ultimatum to Parliament
London
Anthony Eden announced the Anglo French demands for an end to hostilities and withdrawal of Egyptian and Israeli forces from the canal vicinity.
October 30th, 1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
Israel accepts the Anglo-French ultimatum to withdraw 10 miles from Suez. Egypt turns down the Anglo-French ultimatum for a cease-fire
October 30th, 1956
Ultimatum
London
Issues an ultimatum with France demanding that Israel and Egypt withdraw from the canal zone
October 30th, 1956
Ultimatum
Suez Canal
Israel accepts the Anglo-French ultimatum while Egypt rejects the demand for withdrawal from the canal zone
October 30th, 1956
Ultimatum Specifies Ten Mile Withdrawal Zones
London
The British and French terms required Egyptian and Israeli troops to move ten miles from the canal while permitting allied forces to occupy key positions.
October 31st, 1956
Air Attack
London
Orders air attacks on Egypt after Nasser rejects the Anglo-French ultimatum
October 31st, 1956
Air Offensive Against Egypt Authorized
London
Anthony Eden authorized British participation in the air campaign after Egypt rejected the Anglo-French ultimatum concerning the Suez Canal.
October 31st, 1956
British Government Declares Egyptian Noncompliance
London
Anthony Eden treated Egypt's refusal to accept foreign troops as a reason for the planned Anglo French attack to proceed.
October 31st, 1956
British Intervention Weakens Criticism of Soviet Conduct
United Nations
Anthony Eden's decision to attack Egypt damaged Britain's diplomatic position as Western governments sought to condemn coercion in Hungary.
October 31st, 1956
Operation Musketeer
Suez Canal
British and French aircraft bomb Egyptian airfields as Operation Musketeer begins
October 31st, 1956
Operation Musketeer
London
Authorises the bombing phase of Operation Musketeer against Egyptian targets
October 31st, 1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The UK & France bomb Egypt to force the reopening of the canal with Operation Musketeer, Egypt blocks the canal with scuttled ships in the canal & closes it until 1957. British & French planes bomb Egyptian airfields
November 1956
Sterling Crisis
London
The United States links support for sterling to British acceptance of a United Nations solution
November 1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The US will support Britain if it accepts the United Nations solution, the pound collapses. The Allies agree Israel should invade & Britain & France would intervene & instruct the Israeli & Egyptian armies to withdraw 10 miles either side of the canal
November 2nd, 1956
Blocked Canal Undermines British Strategic Objective
Suez Canal
The interruption of shipping defeated the immediate aim of ensuring transit even as Anglo French military operations continued.
November 2nd, 1956
Government Confronts Pressure on Foreign Reserves
London
Anthony Eden's cabinet faced rapid reserve losses and growing concerns about sustaining the pound during the Anglo French operation.
November 2nd, 1956
UN Emergency Session
United Nations
Faces growing United Nations opposition as emergency sessions condemn the invasion
November 3rd, 1956
Prime Minister Faces Divisions Over Suez
London
Anthony Eden struggled to sustain political agreement as public opposition and foreign pressure challenged the invasion.
November 4th, 1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The United Nations adopts a Canadian resolution to send a United Nations force, Britain & France abstain. Makes a TV broadcast to the nation appealing for national unity
November 4th, 1956
Suez War Overshadows British Hungarian Protests
United Nations
British action in Egypt complicated the government's efforts to adopt a consistent position against Soviet intervention in Hungary.
November 4th, 1956
Trafalgar Square Protest
London
Faces mass protest in London against the invasion of Egypt.
November 4th, 1956
United Nations Emergency Force
Suez Canal
The United Nations adopts a Canadian-backed resolution to create an emergency force while Britain and France abstain
November 5th, 1956
British Government Maintains Canal Security Argument
London
Anthony Eden continued presenting the intervention as a canal security operation while international opposition to the invasion mounted.
November 5th, 1956
El Gamil Airfield
El Gamil
3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment drops at El Gamil Airfield and secures a base for follow-on forces
November 5th, 1956
Paratroop Landing
Port Said
British paratroops land at El Gamil Airfield as the ground phase of the operation begins
November 5th, 1956
Suez Canal
Port Said
Paratroops land to recover the canal Eden says is vital if Britain is not to starve
November 5th, 1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment drops at El Gamil Airfield, establishing a secure base for incoming support aircraft & reinforcement
November 6th, 1956
British Cabinet Accepts End to Offensive
United Nations
Anthony Eden's government agreed to halt military operations before Anglo French forces could occupy the entire canal.
November 6th, 1956
Cabinet Agrees to Halt Fighting in Egypt
London
Anthony Eden accepted the decision to stop British military action as American financial pressure and UN objections intensified.
November 6th, 1956
Ceasefire
London
Agrees to a ceasefire after severe American, Soviet and United Nations pressure
November 6th, 1956
Ceasefire
London
Accepts a ceasefire under United States, United Nations and Soviet pressure
November 6th, 1956
Ceasefire Broadcast
London
Announces the decision to halt military operations under intense international pressure
November 6th, 1956
Ceasefire Decision Reflects Financial Constraint
London
Anthony Eden's cabinet agreed to halt the military offensive under intense American diplomatic opposition and worsening financial pressure.
November 6th, 1956
Financial Pressure Shapes Cabinet Ceasefire Decision
London
Britain accepted a ceasefire as international diplomatic objections and a serious sterling crisis limited options for continuing the intervention.
November 6th, 1956
Ground Operation Ended before Canal Seizure
London
Eden ends military operations before Anglo-French forces can seize the full canal zone.
November 6th, 1956
Prime Minister Announces Halt in Commons
United Nations
Anthony Eden publicly announced the cessation of British military operations and associated plans for United Nations involvement.
November 6th, 1956
Prime Minister Announces Suez Ceasefire
London
Anthony Eden announced that British and French military operations would stop after intense international diplomatic and financial pressure.
November 7th, 1956
British Government Faces Port Said Occupation Crisis
Port Said
Anthony Eden's administration had to reconcile continued occupation of the city with international demands for a complete withdrawal.
November 7th, 1956
Ceasefire
Suez Canal
Eden announces that military operations will cease and that United Nations forces will be used
November 7th, 1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
Eden announces in the Commons United Nations forces will be used & military operations cease. Cease-fire commences after the Russian threat of rockets. Britain says she will evacuate her troops from Suez on the arrival of the United Nations forces
November 8th, 1956
No Confidence Debate
London
Faces a no-confidence debate in the Commons after the military and financial crisis
November 8th, 1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
No confidence debate in the Commons
November 15th, 1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The United Nations forces arrive in Suez
November 15th, 1956
United Nations Emergency Force
Suez Canal
United Nations forces begin arriving in the Suez area to replace Anglo-French troops
November 23rd, 1956
Jamaica Rest
Jamaica
Leaves Britain for rest in Jamaica as his health and political position deteriorate
November 24th, 1956
Britain Faces Renewed UN Withdrawal Demand
United Nations
The General Assembly urged the rapid evacuation of British and French forces despite the ceasefire already being in effect.
December 3rd, 1956
Government Confirms Withdrawal from Canal Zone
London
The British government's commitment to remove its forces from Egypt marked the failure of the intervention policy backed by Eden.
December 3rd, 1956
Withdrawal Decision Eases Financial Negotiation Barrier
London
Britain's decision to withdraw troops from Egypt helped remove a major diplomatic obstacle to discussions over international financial assistance.
December 14th, 1956
Collusion Denial
London
Makes a Commons statement denying prior collusion over the invasion of Egypt
December 14th, 1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
Makes a speech in the Commons denying all knowledge of the invasion of Suez
December 22nd, 1956
Port Said Withdrawal
Port Said
Completes withdrawal of British and French forces from Port Said
December 22nd, 1956
Suez Canal
Port Said
The last Anglo-French forces leave Port Said
December 22nd, 1956
Withdrawal
Port Said
The last Anglo-French forces leave Port Said after international pressure forces withdrawal
December 27th, 1956
Canal Clearance
Suez Canal
United Nations-led salvage work begins clearing scuttled ships from the canal
December 27th, 1956
Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The United Nations fleet begins clearing the canal of scuttled ships