Anthony Eden, English soldier and politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (b. 1897)

Robert Anthony Eden: A Statesman of Distinction and Controversy

Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon (1897–1977), was a prominent British Conservative politician whose career spanned over three decades, marked by both remarkable successes and a dramatic, reputation-defining downfall. Celebrated for his diplomatic acumen and principled stands in his early career, he served an unprecedented three periods as Foreign Secretary before ascending to the pinnacle of British politics as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1955 to 1957.

The Ascent of a Young Diplomat

Eden's political trajectory was exceptionally swift and impressive. After serving with distinction in the First World War, where he earned the Military Cross for gallantry, he entered Parliament in 1923 as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Warwick and Leamington. His intelligence, charm, and articulate debating style quickly set him apart. By the age of 38, he had already been appointed Foreign Secretary in 1935, making him one of the youngest individuals to hold the crucial office in modern British history.

A staunch advocate for collective security, Eden famously resigned from Neville Chamberlain's government in February 1938. This bold move was a direct protest against Chamberlain's policy of appeasement towards Benito Mussolini's Fascist Italy, specifically concerning British negotiations over Anglo-Italian relations. His resignation, though initially met with criticism, later cemented his reputation as a principled figure who foresaw the dangers of totalitarian aggression, enhancing his public standing significantly as Britain moved closer to war.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, Eden returned to the Foreign Office, serving as Foreign Secretary for most of the conflict under Winston Churchill, from 1940 to 1945. In this crucial role, he played a vital part in Allied diplomacy, fostering relations with the United States and the Soviet Union, and contributing to the shape of the post-war world. He held the position for a third time in the early 1950s under Churchill's second premiership, acting as a crucial deputy and the designated heir apparent for nearly 15 years.

The Path to Premiership and a General Election Victory

Having served as Churchill's loyal deputy for such an extended period, Eden finally succeeded him as the Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister in April 1955. This transition was widely anticipated, and Eden arrived at No. 10 Downing Street with a strong mandate. Just a month after taking office, he capitalised on public confidence by calling a general election, which the Conservatives won convincingly, securing an increased majority of 60 seats. This initial success affirmed his popularity and appeared to set the stage for a stable and prosperous premiership.

The Suez Crisis: A Defining Challenge and Downfall

However, Eden's reputation and premiership were irrevocably overshadowed by the Suez Crisis of 1956. This geopolitical flashpoint erupted in July 1956 when Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company, an Anglo-French owned entity that controlled the vital waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean. The Canal was strategically crucial, particularly for Western oil supplies, and its nationalization was perceived by Britain and France as a direct threat to their economic and strategic interests, as well as an affront to international agreements.

In response, Eden's government, in conjunction with France and Israel, devised a secret plan known as the Protocol of Sèvres (signed in October 1956). This protocol outlined a covert military operation: Israel would launch an attack on Egypt, providing Britain and France with a pretext to intervene militarily, ostensibly to separate the combatants and protect the Suez Canal. The true aim, however, was to depose Nasser and reassert control over the Canal.

The Anglo-French military response, launched in late October 1956, immediately triggered a severe international backlash. Crucially, the United States, under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, vehemently opposed the intervention. Eisenhower viewed it as a vestige of colonialism that could destabilize the Middle East, push Arab states closer to the Soviet Union, and undermine the burgeoning Cold War alliance. The US exerted immense diplomatic and financial pressure, threatening to sell its holdings of British government bonds, which would have crippled the British economy. This decisive American opposition, which many historians argue Eden severely underestimated, ultimately forced Britain and France to withdraw their forces in humiliation.

The Suez Crisis was widely regarded by critics across party lines as a catastrophic blunder and a historic setback for British foreign policy. It undeniably signalled the definitive end of Britain's role as a pre-eminent global power, particularly in the Middle East, and underscored the ascendancy of the United States and the Soviet Union as the dominant superpowers. Most historians concur that Eden made a series of critical misjudgements, chief among them his failure to grasp the depth and resolve of American opposition to military action.

Resignation and Enduring Legacy

Just two months after ordering an end to the Suez operation, Robert Anthony Eden resigned as Prime Minister in January 1957. His resignation was attributed to grounds of ill health, specifically a persistent fever and complications from previous botched gallstone surgeries, which were exacerbated by the immense stress of the crisis. However, it was also widely suspected that he had misled the House of Commons regarding the true extent of collusion with France and Israel in planning the invasion, leading to a profound loss of trust within his own party and the wider political establishment.

Eden's premiership, though brief, remains one of the most scrutinised in British history. He is generally ranked among the least successful British prime ministers of the 20th century, largely due to the disastrous handling of the Suez Crisis and its profound geopolitical repercussions. Nevertheless, two broadly sympathetic biographies (published in 1986 and 2003) have contributed to a more nuanced understanding of his career, acknowledging his earlier diplomatic successes and the difficult international climate he inherited. As biographer D. R. Thorpe aptly summarised, the Suez Crisis was "a truly tragic end to his premiership, and one that came to assume a disproportionate importance in any assessment of his career," often overshadowing his many achievements as a statesman and diplomat prior to 1956.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anthony Eden

Who was Robert Anthony Eden?

Robert Anthony Eden was a distinguished British Conservative politician who served as Foreign Secretary three times and later as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1955 to 1957. He was also known as the 1st Earl of Avon.

Why did Anthony Eden resign from Neville Chamberlain's government?

He resigned in February 1938 in protest against Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's policy of appeasement towards Benito Mussolini's Fascist Italy, reflecting his strong stance on collective security and opposition to aggressive totalitarian regimes.

How long was Anthony Eden Prime Minister?

Anthony Eden served as Prime Minister for less than two years, from April 1955 to January 1957.

What was the Suez Crisis?

The Suez Crisis was a major international incident in 1956 that began when Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal. In response, Britain, France, and Israel secretly conspired to invade Egypt, aiming to regain control of the canal and depose Nasser. The operation, however, faced strong opposition from the United States and the United Nations, leading to a humiliating withdrawal for the Anglo-French forces.

Why is the Suez Crisis considered a major setback for British foreign policy?

The Suez Crisis is seen as a historic setback because it exposed the limitations of British power on the global stage, particularly in the face of American opposition, and effectively marked the end of Britain's imperial dominance, especially in the Middle East. It highlighted a shift in global power dynamics towards the United States and the Soviet Union.

Why did Anthony Eden resign as Prime Minister after the Suez Crisis?

He resigned due to ill health, which was exacerbated by the stress of the Suez Crisis. There were also widespread suspicions that he had misled the House of Commons about the extent of British collusion with France and Israel in planning the invasion, leading to a significant loss of political trust.