Further ruptures : a historical perspective : proceedings of history week 2021

Abstract

Malta’s role as a "Fortress Island" within the British Empire was intrinsically tied to the Suez Canal. Its inauguration in 1869 effectively sealed Malta’s role. During this period, Malta’s political formations came into being, thus inaugurating a long period of heated political debates over what Malta’s relationship with its colonial masters should be. In the context of both the British Empire and Malta, 1956 is a pivotal year. In Malta, the referendum for Integration returned an overwhelming result in favour of the proposal, though the final result was open to various interpretations. However, the subsequent discussions proved to be tortuous and complex, ultimately leading to failure. Meanwhile, the nationalisation of the Suez Canal and Britain’s inability to retain control over this vital waterway proved to be disastrous for the British Empire.