Take the following as truth: This manmade artery linking the Mediterranean with the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, allowed a much quicker journey time from Europe to the Middle East, India, and the Far East when it was opened in 1869, a great aid to the Western European powers in managing their expansive Empires.
Then the following statement: "The artery linking the Mediterranean and the Red sea helped European Empires grow into the Middle East." is true, false, or inconclusive?