Level 1
What was the purpose of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)?
The goal of the PLO was to liberate Palestine and achieve Palestinian self-determination.
Explain why Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal.
Egypt chose to nationalize the Suez Canal as a benefit to Egypt and to finally eliminate colonial and European powers from domestic influence in Egypt as well as a response to the United States refusing to Fund the dam project.
Evaluate how Egypt’s win and Britain’s loss in the Suez Crisis changed the dynamic of both countries.
The main winners of this war were the Egyptians. Although militarily, they had a lot of losses, they gained a lot in terms of prestige and power within the area and world-view. It boosted their image in a positive light. The losers of this war were the Britains because they began to lose the control and power over the colonial world due to the opposition they received from other nations for attacking the Suez Canal. Their image in the Western world was damaged, as many nations shamed Britain for intervening within the Suez Canal and causing violence.
Who was Yasser Arafat?
Yasser Arafat was a leader of the PLO. Under his leaderships, the PLO gained international recognition from the United Nations as the primary representative of the Palestinian people. Arafat deftly manipulated the organization from one perceived by the West as barbaric into one considered a freedom movement with legitimate claims.
Who was victorious in the Six Day War and what did they gain as an outcome of the war?
Israel had conquered enough territory to more than triple the size of the area it controlled, from 8,000 to 26,000 square miles. The victory enabled Israel to unify Jerusalem. Israeli forces had also captured the Sinai, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip, and West Bank. Also, a record number of immigrants came to Israel inspired by the remarkable victory.
To what extent were the views of the PLO supported by the Middle East?
To a large extent. The Middle East (Arabs) saw this as a support for the Palestinian cause and a test of one’s commitment to Arab nationalism. Therefore, they supported this organization. The PLO was used to incite violence and put an end to Israel’s rule (which did not work). Therefore, Israel hated this group and often got into conflicts with them.
How did the West view the PLO?
Once the PLO became less radical and more civilized, the West respected them a lot more and was willing to listen to their ideas and suggestions.
Discuss Russia’s involvement with Egypt and the Suez Canal.
Russia supported Egypt’s agenda with the canal because they wanted to oppose the western powers by diminishing their control over the canal, a crucial economic amenity. As a result, they provided Egypt with arms in order to assert dominance over the Western powers and increase their influence in the area.
To what extent was nationalism affected in the Suez Crisis?
To a large extent on all fronts. British nationalism rose which caused a great hostility towards Nasser to grow. Additionally, Nasser organized Egyptian nationalism to support Egyptian control over a strategically vital waterway known as the Suez Canal. The Suez Crisis can also be said to have organized Israeli nationalism into a more cohesive society.
Did the Yom Kippur War strain relations between the superpowers?
Yes, between the USSR and US.
What did European countries plan on doing with the Suez Canal?
The plan for the Suez Canal according to the European nations was to establish the waterway as open and free to domestic and foreign trade. However, informally it can be stated that the European nations had the plan to also keep their established political and economic presence in the canal to further extend themselves as a world power.
How did Egypt’s victory in the Suez Crisis improve Egyptian nationalism as well as Nasser’s position in the US and Soviet Union?
This conflict greatly improved Egyptian nationalism and Nasser asserted Egypt in the world stage. Shortly before the conflict Nasser went to President Eisenhower and requested a $27 million arms deal and argued that if the United States rejected him he would go to the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union eventually made an arms deal with Egypt worth $80 to $200 million. Furthermore, the western powers felt a need to counteract this Soviet influence. Thus, the United States, Britain, and the World Bank provided $70 million for the first stage of the Aswan High Dam project.
What was the Cairo Agreement?
An agreement that granted the right of Palestinian militias to bear arms and operate on Lebanese land in order to launch guerrilla attacks on Israel.
What was the relationship of the Arab world to Israel during the Second Arab Israeli War?
Egypt was hostile towards Israel. They did not accept the establishment of their Jewish state and the dispellment of the Palestinian Arabs. This relationship was only emphasized by other Arab nations because they united with them in an attempt to overthrow Israel. They also wanted to defeat the Israelis in an attempt to defy Britain.
To what extent did Pan-Arabism aid in the Egyptian victory over the Suez Canal?
To no extent. Egypt was supported by its Arab neighbors and Nasser had the hopes to one day lead a unified Arab nation. However, actual pan-Arabism was not practiced or pushed forth during the Suez Crisis since Egypt was handling the attacks by Israeli, French, and British forces.