1970-1979 Foreign Affairs Flashcards
When did Britain eventually join the EEC?
1973- its third application
What were the conservative party’s attitudes to Europe?
Heath was a European enthusiast- a Europhile
Most conservative MPs though joining would be beneficial economically
A minority were against joining
Enoch Powell was angry that Heath had signed the treaty before parliament had voted that he advised his supporters to vote Labour in 1974 election
What were the Labour party’s attitudes to joining the EEC?
Wilson was neither for or against
Roy Jenkins supportive- a Europhile
Some MPs, such as Tony Benn concerned about loss of sovereignty
Others, such as Barbara Castle, opposed to membership- thought EEc promoted interests of international capital
Official party policy to support joining but against Heath’s negotiated terms
Wilson promised a referendum on remaining in EEC- to keep party together
How divided were parties over joining the EEC
Divisions within both parties
Entry was only agreed by parliament because 69 rebel Labour MPs voted with the conservatives and further 20 abstained
When was the EEC referendum called?
1975
Who were the supporters of remaining in the EEC at the referendum?
Most of press
Most businesses and company chairmen (funded the campaign)
Most senior politicians from all parties including Conservative and Liberal leaders
More public supportive in 75 than had been in 73
Who were those against remaining in the EEC at the 1975 referendum?
Much of the left of the Labour Party
Enoch Powell - now a member of UUP
The leader of the DUP- Ian Paisley
A small minority of business people
What was the result of the referendum?
Membership confirmed 68.3% to 32.5%
Divisions in the parties remained though
What was the relationship with the US like between 1970 and 1979?
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP MAINTAINED
Heath good relationship with Nixon
Heath more publicly supportive of US action in Vietnam War than Wilson
Both Wilson and Callaghan supporters of Atlantic Alliance
Callaghan good relationship with US Secretary of State Kissinger and President Carter
Callaghan negotiated the replacement of Polaris missiles with the US Trident missiles
RELATIONSHIP STRAINED
Heath not prepared to be go-between between Europe and USA
Britain did not allow USA to use NATIONAL bases to airlift supplies to Israel during the Yom Kippur war of 1975
Britain continued to withdraw East of Suez - despite US concerns
What were the attitudes towards USSR?
Easing of tensions.
Both wanted to avoid tensions- such as the Cuban missile crisis
Both sides agreed to limit build up of arms
Tension did remain over USSR influence over Europe. Demonstrated by assassination of Bulgarian defector Georgi Markov in London in 1978 - supposedly KGB
What were the attitudes towards China?
Tension between communist regime in China and the West- especially as China supported communist forces in Vietnam and Korea
Worsening relations between China and USSR meant Chinese leader Mao Zedong more willing to resume relations with West
Both Nixon and Heath visited China in 1972
Heath received “People’s Friendship envoy” from China
In 1979 Chinese premier Hua Guofeng visited Britain
How would you summarise 70’s foreign relations?
Early 70s dominated by debates around joining EEC
Despite joining EEC, special relationship with US remained important
In part, due to continuation of Cold War and need to manage relations with China and USSR
Early 70s dominated by debates around joining EEC
Despite joining EEC, special relationship with US remained important
In part, due to continuation of Cold War and need to manage relations with China and USSR
