(!) 1:4 Foreign relations - Content Flashcards
In 1951 the world was dominated by which 2 superpowers?
The United States and the USSR
Why was Britain not a major superpower?
The Second World War damaged Britain’s economy and showed that Britain could not control its empire
On the other hand, why was Britain still an important power in the world?
Britain had been victorious in WW2 and the empire was still significant
The damage caused by WW2 meant that many politicians in mainland Europe were keen to…
create closer ties between countries
Why did they want to create closer ties?
It would prevent the outbreak of future European wars
Why were Britain and the United States also supportive of this idea?
They believed a strong Europe would prevent the spread of the USSR’s influence
Although Britain supported the ideas of the European Economic Community (EEC)…
it did not want to join for various reasons
Did leading politicians generally support joining the EEC?
No
Britain didn’t want to join the EEC because it wanted to sustain its special relationship with which country?
The United States
Britain thought of itself as a world power, not just…
one of many European nations
Britain also didn’t join the EEC because of the varying experiences of WW2 among these European countries. What were these?
Germany and France had been defeated, whereas Britain had won
The right-winged British politicians preferred to maintain closer ties with which countries?
The Commonwealth - Australia, Canada and New Zealand
The Left believed that the EEC would be what?
A ‘capitalist’ club
However, Britain quickly changed its attitude to this idea. What did Britain set up in 1959?
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
Why did Britain’s attitude towards Europe change so suddenly in the late 1950s?. (5)
Britain’s growth and productivity were slower than those of the EEC members
The Suez Crisis revealed Britain’s limited world power and reliance on the US
Britain suffered ongoing financial concerns
Britain was no longer dominating world affairs
The retreat from the Empire showed that Britain no longer perceived itself as a world power
Why was the US keen for Britain to join the EEC?
It would ensure that the EEC also resisted USSR influence
When did Britain apply to join the EEC?
1961
When was Britain’s application rejected?
1963
Why was Britain’s application rejected?
The French President, de Gaulle, vetoed Britain’s entry, as he feared that Britain’s presence would lessen French influence and that Britain would give the US too much influence.
What was the impact of the rejection in 1963?
It was a big humiliation for Macmillan’s Conservative government
Both Britain and the US feared the spread of…
communism and worked together as allies to prevent this.
Macmillan formed close relationships with which two US presidents?
Eisenhower (1953-61) and Kennedy (1961-63)
Britain and the US co-operated well when they formed the…
NATO in 1949
Britain and the US co-operated well during which war?
The Korean War (1950-1953)
Britain and the US co-operated well during which crisis?
The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1961
However, why were there tensions between Britain and the US during the Suez Crisis of 1956?
The US would not support the British government’s actions during the Suez Crisis
Which other event made the US cautious about sharing intelligence with Britain?
The Burgess and Maclean spy scandal in 1951
What was the Burgess and Maclean spy scandal (1951)?
Two high-ranking officers in British intelligence, Burgess and Maclean, defected to the USSR in 1951. The discovery that British spies had been leaking vital secrets to Moscow deeply worried the Americans. For several years after, there were concerns about finding the ‘Third Man’ who had tipped them off.
When and why did decolonisation begin?
1947 when India became independent
However, decolonisation sped up in what years?
The 1950s
In which 3 countries were there independence movements?
Kenya (Mau Mau rebellion), Malaya and Cyprus
Why did the United States pressure Britain in favour of decolonisation?
US was wary of imperial power
What was Britain’s financial concern?
They questioned whether Britain could afford to maintain an empire
What other event pushed Britain towards decolonisation?
The Suez Crisis
When was Macmillan’s ‘winds of change’ speech?
1960
What did Macmillan say in this speech?
He acknowledged the need for decolonisation
When did Britain withdraw from India?
1947
What was the first British African colony to be granted independence?
Ghana
When did Ghana gain independence?
1957
When did Kenya gain independence?
1963
The Conservative government continued their policy on the issue of nuclear weapons. What was their stance?
They believed that Britain should develop its own independent nuclear deterrent - they were against the idea of nuclear disarmament
Why did the Conservative government feel so strongly about Britain having a nuclear deterrent?
They felt this would be crucial in order for Britain to retain its status as a world power
However, the idea of Britain having nuclear weapons started to be challenged, for…
both financial and moral reasons
When did Britain have its first atomic tests?
1952
When did Britain test its first ‘H’ bomb?
1957
When was the Mutual Defence Agreement formed?
1958
What was the Mutual Defence Agreement?
The agreement to share nuclear technology with the US
When was the CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) formed?
1958
When was the first CND Aldermaston march?
1958
When was the second CND Aldermaston march?
1959
In 1960, the Labour party conference showed support for…
unilateral nuclear disarmament
In 1960, Britain abandoned its…
Blue Streak Missile and became reliant on the US Polaris missile
When was the Korean War?
1950-1953
What caused the Korean War?
Cold War tensions had led to hostilities in Korea. The Communist North of Korea, supported by the USSR and China, invaded the South of Korea.
How did the UN respond to the Korean conflict?
They sent UN forces in response, with Britain supplying 90,000 troops, the biggest contributor after the US
When was the Suez Crisis?
1956
What was the Suez Canal?
An important trading route between Europe and the Middle East
In 1956, the Egyptian president, Colonel Nasser, announced that he was going to…
nationalise the canal
What was Britain’s concern about this?
This would put their trade link at risk
What did Prime Minister Eden do in an attempt to prevent the Suez Canal being nationalised?
He secretly planned with France and Israel to return the canal to British control.
What was this plan?
Israel would invade Egypt, allowing Britain and France to intervene in a peacekeeping role
When did Israel invade Egypt?
October 1956
When were British and French troops sent to Suez and what did they do?
November 1956; they defeated the Egyptian forces, though the canal was blocked
What was the reaction of the British public to Eden’s coordinated attack?
> The Labour Party opposed the attack
Protests against the attack were held across the country
What was the global response to Britain’s actions at Suez?
The British were condemned internationally, including by the US
Following the Suez Crisis, the US put Britain under…
financial pressure, and Chancellor Macmillan warned Eden that Britain could not withstand this.
How did Eden respond to these consequences?
He declared a ceasefire after the US’ disapproval, and a year later resigned citing ill-health
What impact did the Suez Crisis have on Britain’s global image?
Britain seemed immoral; no longer a force for good
Showed Britain’s reliance on financial support from the US; overall weak economic and financial position
Many countries doubted Britain’s status as a major world power
After WW2, most British people felt that…
rebuilding their own country was more important than holding onto distant lands
The economy was also changing: trade with Europe and America was…
becoming more important than trade with the empire
However, Britain did not lose all links with former colonies:
British empire became BRITISH COMMONWEALTH. All former members of empire invited to become members of Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth was voluntary organisation mainly aimed…
at promoting friendship and harmony between the nations of the former empire. However, there were other benefits such as sporting and cultural links, and special agreements in terms of trade and security.
Independence movements included…
Strikes, boycotts, individuals and political protests
The British withdrew from some areas because…
they felt the country was ready to rule itself democratically, for example India.
Britain no longer had financial or military strength to…
dominate territory within Asia. The British wanted to leave some countries because the area was causing them problems.
By 1951, Britain had to accept that…
imperial decline was inevitable
In 1951, Britain’s…
retreat from the empire was well underway
The Suez Canal was a vital route for oil shipments:
80% of Western oil imports passed through the canal.
The treatment of Suez was fuelled by…
the idea of military action rather than diplomacy
Eden prided himself on…
the mastery of foreign policy
> He had little faith in diplomacy with Nasser
Most of the cabinet wanted to act quickly as…
they felt Nasser threatened African stability
Eden had kept Suez arrangements secret from…
from most of Cabinet and US
What was the US’ reaction?
Eisenhower was shocked
> US annoyed at lack of consultation and fear that Nassar may now turn to USSR for help
Britain learned an important lesson from Suez:
the importance of diplomacy rather than military intervention
Suez was the last independent military intervention by Britain:
any future conflict was part of organization or with US > realized it no longer had the power to act alone
The winds of change speech encouraged…
recognition of independence movements and the need for decolonisation
The speech was really aimed at…
Heads of state from around the Commonwealth and to public opinion back home.
Macmillan urged South African leaders to…
grant independence (and lead the process) in order to look strong or led empire fester on and have nationalist groups overthrow you making you look weak
By 1964…
the transition from Empire to Commonwealth was a significant achievement
The EEC had already made economic arrangements:
e.g., Schuman Plan of 1950 (proposals for a Coal and Steel Community that would integrate French and German heavy industry)
would promote rapid economic reconstruction and bind the two historic enemies together
The war was an important factor in opinion against the EEC:
Germany lost the war, and France had been occupied by Germany
After Suez…
attitudes towards foreign policy began to shift
The EEC had already developed many procedures that Britain could not see itself accepting:
e.g. Common Agricultural Policy which Britain could not see itself accepting
> Heath tried to negotiate special trade exemptions for Imperial nations
In terms of affording the Empire:
Britain had recently agreed to pay India it’s war costs of £1200 million
Which countries gained independence in 1960?
Nigeria and Cyprus
When was the EEC formed?
1956
What were the key changes in 1956-61 that affected Britain’s decision to apply for EEC membership?
> Slower economic growth: cycle of ‘stop-go’ economics. So, could benefit from the economic policies of the EEC.
> Accepting a secondary world role: backing down after Suez, Mutual Defence Agreement, decolonisation
Meaning of ‘world power’
a country that has significant influence and power in international affairs
> combined means of economic, military, technological, political and cultural strength
