The Suez Crisis:
The Suez Crisis was an international political and military crisis which occurred over the control of the Suez Canal. The Suez Canal links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, thus providing a shortcut from Europe to Asia. It was privately owned by British and French investors. However, in 1956, Egypt took over control of the canal. The neighbouring state of Israel saw this as an act of Egyptian aggression and responded by invading Egypt. The British and French were quick to aid the Israeli invasion, despite a United Nations resolution for a ceasefire.
This prompted the Soviet Union to indirectly assist Egypt with financial aid and weapons. On the other hand, the United States refused Israel any support in the war against Egypt but threatened intervention against direct Soviet involvement. Similar to America, Canada decided not to support the British - French - Israeli alliance. Canadian politician Lester B. Pearson proposed an immediate ceasefire between combatants and that a neutral force should be sent to the Suez Canal for peacekeeping purposes.
In late 1956 a United Nations Emergency Force arrived at the Suez Canal to defuse the hostilities. The emergency force was originally composed of nations not directly aligned with either power bloc, but Canadian forces were later incorporated. Lester B. Pearson was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his peacekeeping efforts.
This prompted the Soviet Union to indirectly assist Egypt with financial aid and weapons. On the other hand, the United States refused Israel any support in the war against Egypt but threatened intervention against direct Soviet involvement. Similar to America, Canada decided not to support the British - French - Israeli alliance. Canadian politician Lester B. Pearson proposed an immediate ceasefire between combatants and that a neutral force should be sent to the Suez Canal for peacekeeping purposes.
In late 1956 a United Nations Emergency Force arrived at the Suez Canal to defuse the hostilities. The emergency force was originally composed of nations not directly aligned with either power bloc, but Canadian forces were later incorporated. Lester B. Pearson was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his peacekeeping efforts.