Who was Anthony Eden?
Anthony Eden was born in 1897 in County Durham. He fought in the First World War and later studied at Oxford. He won a seat in Parliament in 1923 and became Foreign Secretary in 1935. In 1938 he quit over Neville Chamberlain's talks with Mussolini. He came back under Winston Churchill in 1940 and held the post again from 1951. He took over as Prime Minister in April 1955 and won an election weeks later. In 1956 Egypt took control of the Suez Canal, and Britain joined France and Israel in a military attack. He resigned in January 1957 and died in 1977.
Political views
- Quit as Foreign Secretary in 1938 because he disagreed with Chamberlain's plan to reach a deal with Fascist Italy.Source: en.wikipedia.org
- Once in Downing Street, he left most home and money matters to his deputy and focused on foreign affairs and Britain's place among the great powers.Source: gov.uk
- While the Conservatives were in opposition after 1945, he helped spread the idea of a property-owning democracy.Source: en.wikipedia.org
- Kept Britain away from the 1955 Messina talks, which led towards closer economic ties between western European countries.Source: gov.uk
- Told MPs on 30 October 1956 that ships' free passage through the Suez Canal was in danger and that the fighting had to end fast.Source: api.parliament.uk
- Agreed the Suez plan in secret with France and Israel, then tried to hide that deal from Parliament.Source: gov.uk
Legacy
Supporters remember Eden as a gifted diplomat who stood against appeasement, helped hold the wartime alliance together and played a part in settling West Germany's place in NATO in 1954. Critics say Suez cancels out much of that. The UN, the Soviet Union and the Commonwealth condemned the attack, and American financial pressure forced Britain to stop. Many also judge his secrecy with France and Israel, and his misleading of Parliament, as the worst moment of his career. Historians often see Suez as proof of how far British power had fallen. His official biographer argues it hides a longer, more skilled record.
In their own words
“I must tell the House that very grave issues are at stake, and that unless hostilities can quickly be stopped free passage through the Canal will be jeopardised.”