Why was the Suez Canal strategically important to European imperialism?

Question 13 options:

a)

Because Europeans could travel to their colonies faster.

b)

Because Europeans could trade goods, obtain resources and earn profits faster.

c)

Because Eastern Africans could now sail to the Indian Ocean.

d)

Because Asians could now sail to Eastern Africa and Saudi Arabia.

e)

Both A and B

f)

Both C and D