In 1956, the President of Egypt who made the bold decision to nationalize the Suez Canal, leading to a military intervention by British and French troops, was Gamal Abdel Nasser.

Gamal Abdel Nasser, born on January 15, 1918, in Alexandria, Egypt, emerged as a prominent figure in Egyptian politics during the mid-20th century. As one of the key leaders of the 1952 Egyptian Revolution, Nasser played a vital role in overthrowing King Farouk and establishing a republic in Egypt.

During his presidency, Nasser sought to assert Egyptian sovereignty and reduce foreign influence in the region. One of his most significant actions was the nationalization of the Suez Canal, which took place on July 26, 1956. This decision had far-reaching consequences and triggered a major international crisis.

The Suez Canal, a vital waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, had been controlled by the Suez Canal Company, a French and British consortium, since its construction in the late 19th century. Nasser's nationalization move aimed to reclaim the canal under Egyptian control and use the revenues generated to fund various development projects.

The nationalization of the Suez Canal was met with strong opposition from Britain and France, who had significant economic and strategic interests in the region. In response, the two countries, in collaboration with Israel, devised a plan to invade Egypt and regain control of the canal. This military intervention, known as the Suez Crisis or the Tripartite Aggression, began on October 29, 1956.

However, Nasser's nationalization move had garnered widespread support in the Arab world and beyond. The United States and the Soviet Union, both in the midst of the Cold War, condemned the invasion and pressured the aggressor nations to withdraw. Under mounting international pressure and financial strain, Britain, France, and Israel eventually withdrew their forces, marking a significant victory for Nasser and Egypt.

Gamal Abdel Nasser's decision to nationalize the Suez Canal in 1956 was a pivotal moment in Egyptian history. It not only solidified Nasser's position as a charismatic and influential leader but also marked a turning point in the struggle for decolonization in the Middle East and Africa.

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