MIDDLE EAST AND NEAR EAST – PERSIA – ARABIA – TURKEY – EGYPT – WITH BOUNDARIES ROADS AND RAILWAYS – CONTOUR-COLOURED WORLD MAP SERIES – 1956

Cartographer: The Geographical Institute, Edinburgh
Publisher: John Bartholomew
Price: £45.00
Publication Date: 1956
Edition: Early reprint
Format: Colour printed
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: 99cm x 76cm
Scale: 1:4000000 or 1 inch to 64 miles

Condition:

Size: 99cm x 76cm. A detailed map of the region. Original printed grey wrappers. Covers very slightly dusty and marked. Backed on linen. Original fold lines. Reverse is blank with very minor age toning and marks. Minor wear to a couple of fold lines. Map bright and clean.In very good indeed, original and un-restored condition.

Location: Book room: 002512

The Middle East in 1956: A Brief Account

The Middle East in 1956 was a region of profound political upheaval, geopolitical manoeuvring, and burgeoning nationalism. It was marked by the interplay of Cold War dynamics, post-colonial struggles, and the complex realities of Arab-Israeli tensions.

Key Historical Context

The Suez Crisis

The most defining event of 1956 in the Middle East was the Suez Crisis. Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the nationalisation of the Suez Canal on 26 July 1956. The canal, previously controlled by British and French interests, was a vital waterway for global trade and a symbol of lingering colonial influence.

• Background: Nasser’s move came after the United States and Britain withdrew funding for Egypt’s Aswan High Dam project, partly due to Nasser’s growing ties with the Soviet Union. The nationalisation aimed to use canal revenues to fund the dam, which was crucial for Egypt’s economic development.
• The Invasion: In response, Britain, France, and Israel planned a coordinated military intervention. Israel invaded the Sinai Peninsula on 29 October, followed by British and French forces attacking Egypt under the pretext of separating the warring sides and ensuring canal operations. The plan aimed to remove Nasser and regain Western control over the canal.
• International Response: The crisis revealed shifting global power dynamics. The United States and the Soviet Union, despite their Cold War rivalry, pressured the European powers to withdraw. The UN played a significant role in mediating the conflict, leading to the deployment of the first-ever United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in the Sinai. The crisis ultimately strengthened Nasser’s position as a pan-Arab leader and highlighted the decline of British and French imperial influence.

Arab Nationalism

1956 saw the rise of Arab nationalism, a movement championed by Nasser, which sought unity among Arab states based on shared cultural and political goals. This ideology was fuelled by:

• Anti-Colonial Sentiment: Many Arab states were either emerging from colonial rule or seeking to assert independence from Western powers.
• The Palestinian Cause: The establishment of Israel in 1948 and the displacement of Palestinian Arabs remained a unifying issue for the Arab world.
• Nasser’s Leadership: Nasser’s defiance of Western powers during the Suez Crisis made him a hero in the Arab world, cementing his role as a leader of pan-Arab aspirations.

The Cold War

The Middle East became a strategic battleground in the Cold War, with both the United States and the Soviet Union vying for influence:

• United States: Through initiatives like the Eisenhower Doctrine (1957), the U.S. sought to counter Soviet influence by supporting pro-Western governments in the region, such as those in Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
• Soviet Union: The USSR provided arms and economic aid to countries like Egypt and Syria, aligning itself with Arab nationalist movements.
• Non-Aligned Movement: Nasser, along with leaders like Nehru of India and Tito of Yugoslavia, advocated for non-alignment, refusing to fully align with either the U.S. or the USSR.

Regional Dynamics

Egypt

• Led by Nasser, Egypt was at the forefront of regional politics.
• Nasser’s efforts to modernise Egypt through initiatives like the Aswan High Dam and his challenge to Western dominance exemplified the new assertiveness of post-colonial states.

Israel

• Israel, established in 1948, faced continued hostility from its Arab neighbours. The 1956 invasion of Sinai was partly driven by security concerns, as Egyptian-backed fedayeen raids into Israel intensified.
• The Suez Crisis also highlighted Israel’s emerging military strength and its alignment with Western powers, particularly France and Britain.

Saudi Arabia

• Under King Saud, Saudi Arabia was consolidating its position as a key oil producer. While politically conservative, it sought to balance relations with both the West and the Arab nationalist bloc.

Iran

• Following the CIA-backed coup in 1953 that reinstalled Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran was firmly in the Western camp. Its oil resources and strategic location made it a linchpin of U.S. policy in the region.

Iraq and Jordan

• Iraq, under the Hashemite monarchy, was a member of the pro-Western Baghdad Pact (1955), which sought to contain Soviet influence.
• Jordan, ruled by King Hussein, navigated tensions between Western allies and growing Arab nationalist pressures.

Syria

• Syria was politically volatile, with frequent coups and a strong leaning towards Soviet-backed Arab nationalism. Its alignment with Egypt against Western powers deepened during this period.

Cultural and Economic Landscape

• Oil Wealth: The discovery and exploitation of oil significantly transformed the Gulf states, bringing newfound wealth but also increasing Western interest in the region.
• Cultural Renaissance: The Arab world experienced a cultural renaissance, with Cairo emerging as a centre for Arab literature, cinema, and music.
• Urbanisation: Rapid urbanisation and modernisation projects were reshaping cities like Beirut, Baghdad, and Tehran.

Legacy of 1956

The events of 1956, particularly the Suez Crisis, had long-lasting impacts:

• It symbolised the decline of British and French imperial dominance in the Middle East.
• It bolstered the Soviet Union’s position in the region and laid the groundwork for decades of U.S.-Soviet rivalry.
• It elevated Nasser and Arab nationalism, reshaping regional politics.
• The crisis highlighted the strategic importance of the Middle East in global affairs, a reality that continues to define the region’s role today.

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