Washington Learns of Allied Canal Ultimatum
Dwight Eisenhower's administration opposed the surprise Anglo French demands and refused to endorse a military intervention against Egypt.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1956 in United States of America — Page 3
Explore 167 historical events and records for United States of America in 1956.
Historical records for United States of America in 1956
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October
Western Vetoes Frustrate American Ceasefire Initiative
Proposals seeking immediate cessation of fighting failed in the Security Council because Britain and France used their veto powers.
American Delegation Balances Two UN Disputes
Henry Cabot Lodge Jr faced simultaneous demands for United Nations action concerning intervention in Egypt and Soviet pressure on Hungary.
American Treasury Withholds Automatic Currency Rescue
The United States did not provide unconditional financial assistance while Britain and France carried out their intervention against Egypt.
Anglo-French Invasion Publicly Opposed
Eisenhower publicly opposes the Anglo-French use of force and supports United Nations action.
Ceasefire
Condemns the widening crisis and supports a United Nations ceasefire rather than Anglo-French intervention.
Council Considers Ceasefire Despite Allied Vetoes
Henry Cabot Lodge Jr supported action to halt the conflict while British and French vetoes obstructed immediate substantive Security Council decisions.
President Rejects Allied Intervention Justification
Dwight Eisenhower refused to accept the ultimatum as sufficient grounds for British and French attacks on Egyptian territory.
Resolution 119 Invokes Uniting for Peace
Security Council Resolution 119 requested an emergency special session of the General Assembly under the Uniting for Peace procedure.
United States Supports Procedural Emergency Session
The United States supported the Council's decision to convene an emergency Assembly session after ceasefire demands were blocked.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
The Statute outlines the three pillars of the Agency's work - nuclear verification and security, safety and technology transfer. The Agency's genesis was Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" address to the General Assembly of the United Nations 1953. these ideas help shape the IAEA Statute, which 81 nations unanimously approve in October 1956
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
The Agencys genesis was Eisenhowers "Atoms for Peace" address to the General Assembly of the United Nations 1953. these ideas help shape the IAEA Statute, which 81 nations unanimously approve in October 1956
Political Support at Washington
Opposes the Anglo-French-Israeli use of force and supports a diplomatic settlement through the United Nations.
November
Emergency Assembly Considers Ceasefire Appeal
Henry Cabot Lodge Jr supported urgent General Assembly consideration after the Security Council proved unable to act.
Emergency Assembly Hears American Ceasefire Case
Henry Cabot Lodge Jr argued for collective United Nations action rather than acceptance of the Anglo French military intervention.
American Diplomacy Condemns Force in Both Crises
Dwight Eisenhower opposed the Anglo French assault on Egypt while his administration also criticized Soviet military intimidation of Hungary.
Ceasefire
Supports General Assembly action calling for a ceasefire and withdrawal from Egypt.
United States Opposes Financial Support During Fighting
Dwight Eisenhower opposed the Anglo-French intervention, and American control over key financial assistance decisions increased pressure on Britain.
United States Supports Assembly Withdrawal Demand
American representatives supported the emergency session's call to stop fighting and remove forces from territory occupied during the crisis.
Treasury Holds Important Leverage Over British Aid
George Humphrey's Treasury controlled a central part of the American response to Britain's requests for financial help during the sterling crisis.
Washington Presses Allies to Halt Intervention
Dwight Eisenhower insisted that military action against Egypt end and that international measures replace unilateral intervention.
America Supports Hungary Emergency Session
Henry Cabot Lodge Jr supported the international move to refer Soviet intervention in Hungary to the General Assembly.
Council Debate Addresses Soviet Action in Hungary
American diplomats challenged Soviet military intervention in Hungary while the United Nations was also handling the unfolding Suez emergency.
United Nations
Backs the creation of an international emergency force as a way to separate the combatants.
US Financial Leverage Strengthens Against Intervention
American officials recognized that Britain's need for dollar assistance increased pressure on the British government to cease hostilities.
President Rejects Soviet and Allied Military Coercion
Eisenhower maintained opposition to foreign military intervention in both Egypt and Hungary despite the different political contexts.
American Opposition Reinforces Diplomatic Settlement
Dwight Eisenhower pressed for an end to the fighting in Egypt, reinforcing the view that canal access should be addressed through international negotiation rather than armed occupation.
Financial Pressure
Refuses support for Britain until the Anglo-French operation is halted and withdrawal is accepted.
Second Presidential Election Victory
Wins reelection to a second term as President of the United States.
Soviet Military Threats Assessed
Eisenhower's administration assesses Soviet threats while pressing urgently for a ceasefire.
Sterling Crisis
Uses American financial leverage as Britain faces a sterling crisis during the Suez intervention.
Sterling Support Withheld
Eisenhower withholds American financial support while Britain continues military operations.
Vice Presidency
Re-elected for a 2nd term as Vice President
Washington Conditions Financial Help on Peace
The Eisenhower administration linked support for Britain's financial recovery to compliance with United Nations decisions on the Suez fighting.
Withdrawal
Continues pressure for British, French, and Israeli withdrawal after the ceasefire.
American Treasury Reviews Conditions for Assistance
George Humphrey's department considered British financial needs in the context of American demands for compliance with international withdrawal decisions.
Hungarian Refugee Admission Offer
Offers to admit refugees fleeing the crushed Hungarian uprising.
Treasury Seeks Withdrawal Before Sterling Aid
George Humphrey's department resisted immediate support for sterling while Britain had not agreed to withdraw its forces from Egypt.
Oil Transport Disruption Concerns American Policymakers
The United States evaluated the economic effects of the blocked canal and interrupted regional energy supplies while demanding allied withdrawal.
Two Crises Expose Limits of Western Influence
Eisenhower's administration pursued diplomatic action over Egypt and condemned the crackdown in Hungary but did not intervene militarily in Budapest.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.