Final answer:
The British and French controlled the Suez Canal before its nationalization by Egypt in 1956, which led to the Suez Canal Crisis where Egypt eventually gained control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Suez Canal in North Africa was controlled by the British and French before it was nationalized by Egypt. On July 26, 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the canal, seizing control of the Suez Canal from British and French administration. The British had played a significant role in the control and protection of the canal since they had purchased Egypt's shares in the canal in 1875, which was a strategic move for maintaining their empire, especially the route to India.
This action precipitated the Suez Canal Crisis of 1956—a confrontation involving Egypt and the combined forces of Israel, the United Kingdom, and France. Despite initial military action by these nations, international pressure, particularly from the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War era, led to the withdrawal of foreign troops and established Egyptian control over the canal.