PDP 1-Denouncement of the Proposal for a Canal User's Association, 1956

Author Bio- Gamel Abdel Nasser was born and died in Egypt. He was an army officer, Prime Minister, and President all in Egypt. As President he became the controversial leader of the Arab world which created the United Arab Republic, which only lasted for a short period of time.

Date/Context- The document demonstrates how the larger, more powerful countries would take advantage of the smaller countries which is what we discussed in class. Egypt was being controlled by higher powers and was not receiving what they were promised, the President of Egypt wanted to stand up for Egypt’s sovereignty against the United States and France who were violating the 1888 convention.

Summary- This document is a speech that was given by Gamel Abdel Nasser, the President of Egypt, it was given in 1956. The speech was about smaller nations standing up for their rights. To be specific, the United States and France were violating the 1888 convention, and not giving Egypt what was promised to them. Gamel Abdel Nasser was talking about preserving Egypt's sovereignty and encouraging other small to do the same. The issue being discussed is about the Suez Canal which was supposed to have no discrimination and be free to all navigation. The Suez Canal company opened up and was an Egyptian company. Britain and France said that Egypt grabbed the Suez Canal even though the company declared that freedom of navigation would be preserved. Britain and France acted as though it was their Canal and their property although it was not. Egyptians rallied Arabs and even free people and stood up for their property and against tyranny.

Key Quotation- “In these decisive days in the history of mankind, these days in which truth struggles to have itself recognized in international chaos where powers of evil domination and imperialism have prevailed, Egypt stands firmly to preserve her sovereignty.”