1951-1964 Foreign Relations Flashcards
By 1951 who were the world superpowers?
United States and USSR
What factors affected Britain’s approach to foreign relations 1951-64?
Second World War damaged Britain economically
Limits to Britains ability to control empire
Britain had won the Second World War
Britain used to being an important world power
What foreign relations categories need to be mentioned when discussing period 51-64?
Britain’s historic position
EFTA and attempts to join EEC
Relations/policies with US and USSR
Nuclear deterrent debate
Korean War 50-53
Suez 1956
Decolonisation- winds of change
Why did Britain not join the EEC in 1957?
Britain wanted to sustain special relationship with US
Britain felt itself to be a world power - not just one of many European nations
Different war experience to others in Europe - Britain had won
Right preferred ties with Commonwealth (Australia/NZ and Canada)
Left thought it would be a ‘Capitalist’ club
Not popular with leading politicians
Why did Britain change its mind on joining EEC?
Britain experienced slower growth and productivity than members of the EEC (prompting EFTA)
Suez demonstrated reliance on the US
Ongoing financial concerns
Retreat of Empire shifted Britains view of itself
US saw Britain as being useful on the inside of the EEC
Why was Britain’s application to join rejected?
1963 Rejected by French president Charles de Gaulle (vetoed)
He feared Britain’s entry would weaken French influence and alllw US too much influence
What was the big influence on Britain and US policies/relations?
The Cold War with USSR
Both Britain and USA wanted to prevent spread of communism
Did Britain have close ties with US?
Yes- wanted to prevent spread of communism
MacMillan close relationships with both US presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy
1949 Formation of NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation- military alliance
1950-53 Korean War. North Korea supported by USSR and China invaded South Korea. United Nations sent in forces - Britain supplied 90,000
Suez made Britain realise they had a reliance on USA
How did Britain try to maintain itself as a world power?
Conservative government continued policy towards develop NUCLEAR DETERRENT
1952 Britain’s first atomic test
1957 Tested its H bomb
1958 Mutual Defence Agreement - sharing of nuclear tech with USA
1958 Formation of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) - first march
1959 second CND march
1960 Labour Party conference support for unilateral disarmament
1960 Britain abandons independent ‘Blue Streak’ missile and became reliant on US Polaris missile
What was the Suez crisis?
- Suez Canal was an important trading route between Europe and Middle East
Egyptian president, Colonel Nasser, announced he was going to nationalise the canal.
Britain concerned trading link would be put at risk
How did Britain respond to Colonel Nasser announcing proposed nationalisation of the Suez Canal?
Eden secretly planned with France and Israel to return canal to British control
Planned invasion by Israel - with Britain and France intervening in peacekeeping role
29th October 1956 Israel invaded Egypt
5th November British and French troops sent to Suez- defeating Egyptian forces, although canal blocked
What were the consequences of the Suez crisis?
SHORT TERM
Labour Party opposed the attack- protests across the country
Condemned internationally (inc USA)
USA put Britain under financial pressure. Chancellor MacMillan warned Eden we couldn’t withstand pressure
Eden resigned a year later- I’ll health
LONG TERM
Challenged Britain’s reputation as a force for good
Highlighted need for US support
Highlighted weak economic and financial position
Cast doubt on whether a world power any more
What would you need to mention about decolonisation between 1951-64?
Decolonisation begun 1947 - India and Pakistan independence
Increased in 1950s
1952 Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya
1957 independence for Ghana
1960 independence for Nigeria and Cyprus
1960 Macmillan’s Wind of Change speech
1961 South Africa leaves the Commonwealth
1963 independence granted to Kenya
Why was there decolonisation between 1951-1964?
Independence movements - Mau Mau rebellion; Malaysia; Cyprus
International Pressure - US wary of imperial power
Financial Concerns- Britain couldn’t afford to maintain the empire
Impact of Suez
What was the Wind of Change speech?
Speech by MacMillan in 1960. Wind of of change is blowing through this continent
Unstoppable push for independence
Recognised that African countries had a right to determine their own future -shift towards peaceful decolonisation
Warned that if Britain didn’t support legitimate nationalist movements that these countries could turn to the USSR for help- spread communism
Subtly criticised South African Apartheid policy - promoting racial equality and democracy
What are the key themes in foreign affairs for Britain between 1951-64?
Britain wanted to remain a world power - to do this it wanted to develop nuclear deterrent
Britain was important in supporting west against USSR- stop spread of communism
Britain’s perception of itself changed - influencing policy towards Europe and actions in Korea/Suez
Britain’s dependence on the USA changed its attitude to both Europe and its empire
