Momentous events followed. Nasser nationalized the Suez
Canal, meaning that he took control of it away from the Brit-
ish and French and placed it in Egyptian hands. The money
Egypt earned by charging tolls on ships passing through the
canal would be used to pay for the construction of the Aswan
High Dam. Egypt also sought funding and technical assistance
for the dam from the Soviet Union, and for the next 15 years,
Soviet influence in Egypt was very strong. Great Britain and
France decided to confront Egypt militarily and sent troops
into the Suez Canal Zone. Israeli forces also participated in the
1956 war against Egypt, especially to destroy Soviet weapons
in the Sinai Peninsula that could be used against Israel. Within
days, the three invading powers held the Sinai Peninsula and
the Suez Canal. However, there was strong international con-
demnation of these military actions, particularly by the United
States, and Great Britain, France, and Israel soon withdrew. The
Suez Canal was now firmly and finally Egyptian, a great victory
for the nationalist Nasser.