Lyndon B. Johnson and the Suez crisis, 1956-1957

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to identify the role of Senator Lyndon B. Johnson in the settlement of the Suez Crisis in 1956-1957. This article is based on materials from the archives of the Johnson's Presidential Library in Austin, Texas and documents from the US Congress. This article attempts to reject the notion about Lyndon Johnson as a person who didn't have a great understanding of the US foreign policy. The Suez crisis arose as a result of Western pressure on Egypt aimed to change the foreign policy of President Gamal Abdel Nasser, who began to move closer to the Soviet Union. In particular, Egypt didn't get the provision of previously promised financial assistance for the construction of the Aswan High Dam. As a result, President Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company to build the Aswan Dam with his own funds. Dwight Eisenhower's administration involved Lyndon Johnson as the leader of the Senate majority for consultations on the policy in the Middle East in connection with the nationalization of the Suez Canal Company and the attempts of Great Britain and France to return this canal under the international control. Johnson advised using all possible peaceful means and providing moral support to NATO allies who were ready to use force against Egypt only in case if the diplomatic efforts didn't bring results. Johnson argued that the United States needed to keep its allies informed of US intentions. However, this was not done by Eisenhower's government. Great Britain, France and Israel began military operations against Egypt on October 29, 1956. This operation began in the midst of the election campaign in the USA. This action provoked an angry reaction of the Dwight Eisenhower's government. As a result, a crisis aroused in Anglo-American relations, and Lyndon Johnson had warned about it. Another crisis aroused in US-Israeli relations. Israel refused to withdraw its troops from Egypt after the failure of the Anglo-French-Israeli aggression. The United States threatened to impose sanctions on Israel. The crisis in US-Israeli relations coincided with the discussion of the "Eisenhower Doctrine" in the US Congress. This doctrine was a new White House initiative to strengthen American influence in the Middle East. Lyndon Johnson showed his capabilities, at first, by suspending the passage of the "Eisenhower Doctrine" through the Senate. Then, after the issue of sanctions against Israel was removed from the agenda, he promoted the rapid adoption of the Senate. Thus, Johnson proved his ability to resolve controversial situations not only in the field of domestic policy, but also in the international arena.