2.11 Wilson and East of Suez

Question 1

In SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organisation) what was Britain under obligation to defend?

Answer 1

Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand

Question 2

In CENTO (Central Treaty Organisation) who did Britain have a responsibility to?

Answer 2

Pakistan and Turkey

Question 3

Where else did military obligations mean that a presence was needed?

Answer 3

Singapore, Hong Kong, Aden, the Persian Gulf, Simonstown (In South Africa), Malta, and Libya

Question 4

What did Healey argue about a rapid withdrawal?

Answer 4

It would be impossible

Question 5

Why did Wilson start to believe that a reduction in military expenditure was needed?

Answer 5

Britain was overextended in the world

Question 6

A rise in nationalism caused Britain to…

Answer 6

Concede independence to all major colonies

Question 7

What was announced in January 1968?

Answer 7

All British military forces would be withdrawn from east of Suez by the end of 1971

Question 8

How much had the Royal Navy been reduced by?

Answer 8

1952: 282 ships
1965: 110 ships

Question 9

What did the 1966 Defence Review recommend?

Answer 9

Spending cuts from 7% to 6%

Question 10

By 1965, how many ‘trouble spots’ had Britain sent troops to?

Answer 10

17

Question 11

When did British forces withdraw from Aden?

Answer 11

December 1967

Question 12

What is Aden now known as?

Answer 12

It’s a city in Yemen

Question 13

When did British HQ Far Eastern Command close?

Answer 13

June 1970

Question 14

Where did British forces withdraw from Singapore and Malaya?

Answer 14

1970

Question 15

Where did British troops withdraw from in December 1971?

Answer 15

Persian Gulf

Question 16

What did Libya end in 1970?

Answer 16

The Anglo-Libya defence agreement

Question 17

Where was the focus clearly shifting to?

Answer 17

Europe

Question 18

What was the changing pattern of trade?

Answer 18

From the empire to Europe

Question 19

How far had Britain’s GDP declined between 1950 and 1965?

Answer 19

From 7th to 12th

Question 20

Why did Wilson see a financial need to withdraw from east of Suez?

Answer 20

Wilson wanted to increase state spending which required cuts in defence spending

Question 21

In 1965, how much was the 55,000 military personnel east of Suez costing Britain?

Answer 21

£317m a year

Question 22

How much of the defence budget was the 55,000 military personnel east of Suez?

Answer 22

15%

Question 23

What had meant that bases in Aden, Singapore, South Africa, and the Gulf were no longer strategically necessary?

Answer 23

Decolonisation

Question 24

Which conflicts required sustained British involvement?

Answer 24

Malaysia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the South Arabian Federation

Question 25

In terms of the Cold War, why did Wilson think Britain could withdraw?

Answer 25

There were other reliable allies for these places to link to meaning that there would not be a power vacuum for Soviet takeover.