7.2 how close was the relationship between Britain and the USA

Question 1

During the 1950s why was the British-American relationship mixed?

Answer 1

-They fought alongside each other in the Korean War
-Yet the Suez Crisis caused a rift to form
-There was no lasting damage yet there was still some distrust

Question 2

Why was the British value diminishing in the 1960s?

Answer 2

-Due to decolonisation as they weren’t as powerful a force
-Yet the relationship stayed the same

Question 3

How was Wilson and JFK’s relationship?

Answer 3

-Seen as a political father
-Wilson helped consol him over the Cuban Missile Crisis
-Wilson helped broker peace in the Vietnam war

Question 4

Why did the UK-US become distant during the 1970s?

Answer 4

-Heath was more Europe focused as a Prime Minister
-Did not believe in the special relationship

Question 5

How did relationships improve in the 1980s?

Answer 5

-Reagan and Thatcher were in a political marriage
-The US assisted in a the Falklands war
-Allowed the US to use British bases in Libya bombing
-Bot opposed UN sanctions in South Africa

Question 6

What three aspects did Reagan and Thatcher disagree on?

Answer 6

-Thatcher disliked the SDI plan
-Reagan didn’t listen to Thatcher on the invasion of Grenada
-Thatcher dismissed Reagan’s advances for talks on nuclear weapons with Gorby

Question 7

What was the US-UK relations like by 1997?

Answer 7

-They had become close with them supporting the US many times
-Britain was still the junior partner with extremely little influence