1956 Episode 2.4 examines Britain's embarrassing and dissatisfying efforts to try and make Egypt see sense.
Here we see what kind of Government Anthony Eden led, and how he shook it up, or failed to shake it up, after he assumed the premiership in spring 1955. Anthony may have deserved his turn, but he would quickly exhaust the sense of goodwill he had built up over the years. In spite of his reputation for integrity and bravery when standing up to the appeasement policy of the 1930s, Eden proved wholly ill-equipped for dealing with this strange new world. Emerging from Churchill’s shadow, he felt extra pressures to act as though nothing had changed, and to pursue a Conservative foreign policy mindset as though he was still living in the 1930s.
After setting Eden’s premiership in context, we switch gears to President Nasser’s policy. Nasser had great ambitions for his country, and these centred on getting Egypt on track technologically, and fixing the grave problems which geography and poverty presented. The Aswan Dam was a radical solution which would solve these problems in one go. By the construction of this billion dollar project, the Nile could be harnessed, disastrous floods avoided, and the energy of nature made proper use of for industrial purposes. It seemed like the ideal solution, save for the key problem that Nasser lacked the kind of money required to engage in this building project.
While he was increasingly turning towards the Soviets for arms, for the moment, he was happy to look to the Anglo-American bankers to put up the funds.
The decision of the Americans and British to put up the money for this construction project may seem, in the context of the mid-1950s and especially considering what would follow, like a very odd decision indeed. Yet, as we’ll see, the Aswan Dam was not the investment opportunity which the British had hoped. Instead, once they and the Americans reneged on the deal, it proved to be the nail in the coffin of the already shaky Anglo-Egyptian relationship, and the beginning of a road towards conflict and crisis.
Remember history friends - you can get these episodes ad-free with scripts attached for just $2 a month - for a fiver you can access our PhD Thesis series, so come and nerd out with us!
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Versailles #80: OTD 23rd June 1919 - Ayes to the Right
Versailles #79: Confusion & Delusion
Versailles #78: OTD 21st June 1919 - Ships of State
Versailles #77: War or Shame
Delegation Game #18: Operation Redeemer
Versailles #76: OTD 16th June 1919 - A Show of Unity
Versailles #75: Destructive Divisions
Delegation Game #17: Peace At Last?
D-Day - Sand and Steel w/ Peter Caddick-Adams
Versailles #74: Commission Impossible
Versailles #73: The German Counterproposals
Versailles #72: Grim Expectations
Versailles #71: Relegating Russia
Versailles 70: What Will Germany Say?
Delegation Game #16: Truth & Consequences
Versailles #69: Big Three And One
Versailles #68: American Matters
Delegation Game #15: The Clemenceau Directive
WDF 7th Birthday Bash: Huge News and Q&A
Versailles #67: OTD 15th May 1919 - Greek Landing
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Modern West
THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
Wahlgren & Wistam
Mellan Himmel och Jord
Olösta Fall
Spår