How has the Suez Canal been a catalyst for nationalism in Europe?
First the French felt that developing countries were colonies to conquer and use at their discretion. The discretion also included building a canal for strategic military purposes. The Suez canal is great for cutting the time to travel by sea for commercial shipping, but the real reason you build a canal is to be able to deploy your Navy quickly to anywhere in the world and to take care of restless subjects of your colonies. Also, because this canal is now of Military importance, it becomes necessary to defend the canal and the territory around it from any threat that may prevent it's military use. This involves deploying foreign forces in that country, which causes resentment with the local population because in order to deploy military forces and protect your interests overseas, you also have to be able to control the local population. The resent comes from Egyptians being controlled by French or British rather than there own people. One way to avoid this was to place a local government that works in the interest of the foreign government.This is what causes a catalyst for nationalism.
-MC
I don't know about all that. The Suez canal was built by the Egyptians in partnership with the French, but it put the Egyptians so far in debt, they sold out to the British and French, who then had a strong financial say in the government. This lead to resentment, and eventual nationalization by Nasser (very similar to what is happening in Venezula today). I think the key is that foreigners want to protect their financial interests, and locals see them as predators that need to be thrown out.
OK
Thanks
-MC
the existence of nearly 3,000 ethnic groups and 800 languages affect life in countries south of the Sahara?
The Suez Canal has been a catalyst for nationalism in Europe due to several factors.
Firstly, the construction and control of the Suez Canal by European powers, particularly France and Britain, initially reinforced a perception of dominance and colonialism. These countries viewed developing countries as colonies to conquer and exploit for their own interests. The canal was seen as a strategic military asset, as it allowed for faster travel by sea for commercial shipping. However, the underlying objective was to be able to deploy naval forces quickly anywhere in the world and to maintain control over restless subjects of their colonies. This military significance of the canal created a need to defend it and the surrounding territory against any potential threats that could hinder its military use.
As a result, foreign forces were deployed in countries like Egypt to protect the canal, which led to resentment among the local population. Egyptians, for example, felt controlled by the French or British instead of being governed by their own people. This sense of foreign control and interference sparked nationalism and a drive for self-determination among the local population. The desire for national independence and the removal of foreign influence led to the emergence of nationalist movements in Europe, particularly in regions directly impacted by the Suez Canal.
To understand the impact of the Suez Canal on European nationalism, it is crucial to consider the historical context of imperial powers seeking control and influence over other nations. The construction and subsequent control of the canal not only had economic benefits but also geopolitical implications that fueled nationalist sentiments.