How has the Suez Canal been a catalyst for nationalism in Europe?

Question

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

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

OK

Thanks
-MC

Answer 3

the existence of nearly 3,000 ethnic groups and 800 languages affect life in countries south of the Sahara?