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Britain check list > britains position in the world > Flashcards

britains position in the world Flashcards

1
Q

4 international crises?

A

-Korean war
-suez crisis
-falklands
-First Gulf war

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2
Q

what was the korean war?

A

-divided into two parts
-north communist
-pro america south
-US forced communists to retreat
-chinese forces pushed US back to 38th paralel
-stalemate
-armistace signed 1953

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3
Q

what did participating in korean war mean to GB

A

-demonstrade to US that they were one of two world powers
-first major challenge to credibility of UN
-if they failed to join it might be imperial to defence of europe

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4
Q

was british involvement in korean war strong?

A

-had said they would help
-atlee and commonwealth forces make important contribution but dwarfed by american commitent
-influenced decision to invade but most trooped american
-britain demonstrated loyality to US
-helped to check communist agression
-permenant military beuracracy that tied us to defence of europe

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5
Q

drawbacks of british involvement of Korea?

A

-increase in defence expenditure added to difficulties of GB economy, still recovering from impact of WW2

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6
Q

what happened in Suez crisis?

A

Pres nassar took control of french/british suez control
-tried to gain back peacfully but wasnt working

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7
Q

PM during korean war?

A

clement atlee

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8
Q

PM during suez crisis?

A

Anthony Eden

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9
Q

British involvement in suez crisis

A

-Eden saw siezure as outrage
-concluded nasser needed to be challenged
-2/3 of oil supplied to europe passed through canal
-aglo french invasion failed
-insisted of withdrawal
-humiliated, eden resiged in January 1957

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10
Q

why was britain opposed by world opinion after suez?

A

-Nasser action not illegal
-USSR conddemmed invation as imperialist
-US wanted to see it peacfully resolved
-Pres eisenhower furious abt invaion

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11
Q

PM during falklands

A

Margaret thatcher

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12
Q

What happened during falklands

A

-argentina claimed land back
-held opinion poll
-96% wanted to remain under british control
-1500:2
-Britain wanted to keep land, last remaining part of empire
-british citizens

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13
Q

successful deal with falklands from GB?

A

-1982, invaded
-despatched task force to invade
-argentinia surrendered
-reacted swiftly to invasion
-UN security council demanded withdrawal of argentinian forces, so britains actions justified by law
-Despite not thinking it was worth the effort, Pres reagan gave base at ascension island for troops and fleets

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14
Q

Was falklands a success for thatcher?

A

-Political fortunes transformed, contributing to landslide victory in 1983
-Restored Britains ‘greatness’
-many admired resolution both thatcher and british armed forces had displayed

-costly to maintain defence, 1.5 mil per islander
-costly enterprise of little significance said critics

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15
Q

PM during gulf war

A

thatcher but mainly John major

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16
Q

What happened during Gulf war?

A

-1990 saddam hussein, leader of iraw invaded Kuwait
-claimed was always part of iraq territory
-US worried they would go onto sieze Suadi arabia’s oil fields, giving supply of most world
-Bombing of iraq defences started 1991
-GB supported US, as Kuwait long standing ally
-succesfull liberaited Kuwait
-Strengthened US-British relations

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17
Q

how many did britain deploy in gulf war

A

53,000

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18
Q

PM decisions during gulf war

A

-thatcher forced to resign before US led invasion began, but said was a great agression in violation of the UN charter
-RAF planes paid significantly part in bombing campaign
-Cost 47 british deaths
-demonstrated could still play significant role in supporting US initiatives

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19
Q

Problems with Gulf war operation

A

-Hussein allowed to maintain control of iraq
-Took revenge by persecuting domestic enemies
-Seen by many in middle east as british and american impeialism
-John major demonstrated britain still had diplomatic influence
-Iraq continued to be problem
-2003 much action in removal of Hussein

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20
Q

Factors that reduced closeness of Gb and US allianceq

A

-decline in GB economic power mean they could only offer limited military assistance to US
-USA had security concerns outside of europe, pacific and latin america
-Areas where britain could offer only limited assistance
-esp once far easten bases given up in 1970s

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21
Q

What were anglo american relations like in 1950s

A

-1951-53 korean war, britain clearly subordinated in decision making
-Suez crisis 1956 showed couldnt act independly of US, they needed them
-despite fury of eisenhower, , did little permenant damage
-made clear US alliance was central to british foreign policy

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22
Q

what were anglo american relations like in 1960s and 1970s

A

-During this time, britains standing as a world power dropped because of its economic difficulties
-Pres kennedy regarded macmillan as political father figure
-consulted for advice in berlin crisis 1961 and 1962 cuban missile crisis
-GB didnt play active role in either
-Wilson tried to broker peace in vietnam war, failure showed how little influence britain had over US policy
-wilson irratated Pres Johnson, aready dissapointed no troops helped in vietnam
-during heath, relations cool
-Believed future layed with europe rather than special relationship with US
-warmer relations restored by personal chemistry with Jimmy carter

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23
Q

Reagan and Thatcher

A

-warm friendship and agreed on most policy issues
-US Logistical and intelligance assistance vital during falklands
-Thatcher reciprocated assistance 1986 by allowing USA base to bomb libya
-both opposed UN sanctions against apartheid regime

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24
Q

what were three main areas of disagreement between thatcher and reagan

A

-thatcher dismayed by his willinness to bragain away wests nuclear detterent
-disliked his initiative idea, laser capable of shooting down incoming missiles ‘Star wars’
-oct 1982 US invaded grenada, which she advised him against

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25
Q

what were anglo american relations like in 1990s

A

-Good cooperation during Gulf war and conflict in balkans

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26
Q

what were anglo american relations like in 1997

A

-US valued british diplomatic and military support in crises
-GB had little influence over US decision making
-still relied on them to supply its nuclear detterent
-junior ally of US
-

27
Q

what was the peaceful coexistence

A

-under khrushchev
-policy with the west
-Avoid war but competition with west for influence around world
-1955, GB and russian navies exchanged good will visits
-Macmillan

28
Q

Did the peaceful coexistance change mutual hostiity between GB and USSR?

A

-From mid 1955 USSR started bidding for support pf Asia and africa as the emerged from european colonial rule

29
Q

What was anglo russian relations like in 1960s and 1970s

A

-as GB withdrew from colonial empire, USSR regarded them as less important, concentrating on US
-Still considered by GB as principle potential enemy
-each side involved in espionage, 1971, 105 soviet diplomats accused of spying and fired
-Britain and NATO concerned about build up of soviet forces after Cuban missile

30
Q

What were relations like between thatcher and USSR/

A

-Dubbed iron lady by soviet media
-made no secret of anti communism
-determed to retain europes nuclear deffences
-said she liked leader Gorbachev ‘we can do buisness together’

31
Q

anglo russian relations in 1990s?

A

-Collapse of USSR
-New russian pres, Yeltsin thankful for support revied from GB when soviet hardliners tried to sieze power

-G8 formed, exclusive club on worlds leading industrialised nations, both joined

-yeltsin visted GB to sign wide ranging agreements on trade and military cooperation thanked john major

-London as financial space became attractive for russian buisness men

32
Q

What was british role in UN?

A

-one of ‘Big three’ at end of WW1 played big role in UN’s establishment
-involved in drawing up charter
-also became 1/5 of five permenant members of security council
-each member had veto over decisions

33
Q

Key principles of UN charter?

A

-Maintenance of international peace and security
-prevention of agression
-peaceful settlement of international disputes
-Adressing, social, economic and cultural problems
-Promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, no discrimination

34
Q

What influence did the UN have on british policy?

A

-presented their action conforming to the UN principles
-because media increased, it was more important to stick to princples
-ensured support of other nations and domestic public opinion
-easier to do in 1950s, when mainly western nations but once nations broke away from empire, majority of members were outside of europe

-found themselved criticsed by nations in africa and asia as imperialist

35
Q

when was the UN veto used by GB

A

-1st in conjunction with france
-Suez crisis, when USA and USSR accused them of trying to reinstate Colonial power
-2nd during rhodesia affair, 6 between 1963 and 73, accused of supporting white supremacy
-1986 Thatcher supported USA in vetoiing a resolution criticising US bombing of Libya

36
Q

Basis of britains relationship across the period

A

-Divided opinion in UK ever since 1950s
-Little controversy in aftermath of WW1
-Played central role in creating OEEC (Organisation for european economic co operation)
-One of original signers of North atlantic treaty 1949
-Founding member council europe 1949
-Commited itself to defence of europe by series of treaties with other nations

37
Q

What did britain not play a part in within europe

A

-Coal and steel community 1952
-Meeting in 1955 at messina, leading the 1957 treaty of rome, led to establisment of EEC

38
Q

problems with EEC

A

-Cons gov of 1950s didnt join because hoped to make empire into common wealth
-disliked commitment
-didnt believe france and germany would be friends

39
Q

examples of domestic divisions over europe across the period

A

-EEC, rejected 1962 in accepted in 1973

40
Q

why did british attutudes towards europe change between 1950 and 1975?

A

-loss of empire
-economic success of EEC
-Premiership of Heath, pro european
-Encouragement from USA
-retirement of de gaulle

41
Q

thatcher and her party relationship with europe in 1980s

A

-doubts about britains role in europe
-convinced britain was making huge contribution to EEC budget, demanded a rebate, took 4 years before success, process damaged relations with other members
-Thatcher and supporters thought cons economic policy rather than EEC had led to economic recovery

-members of her party how believed they should continue to play major role
-Benefited from close integration
-1989, many believed inlation could be best tackled by jining ERM

signed maastricht treaty, turned eec to EU

-this issue contributed to her downfall

42
Q

Major and europe 1990s

A

-Eursceptics in party on the rise

-two main issues: Humiliating withdrawal from ERM in 1992 and following recover solidified view that they didnt need membership

-Maastricht treaty: full intergation of currency, foreign policy and defence

pro europeans:

-GB benefited from being part of worlds largest single market
-free movement of goods, removed trade obsticles
-Common regulations
-UN attracted more investment from outside europe than they could achieve alone

-

43
Q

Arguments in favour of nuclear detterent?

A

-Lab gov of late 1940s decided to build nuclear bomb n 1947 because before NATO 1949, feared USA would be unwilling to defend europe

-continues to contribute to defence of europe

-possession of independent detterent maintains ‘Great’ power status

44
Q

Arguments against Nuclear detterent?

A

-Since 1962, when macmillan persuaded kenned to supply britai with missiles, it has not been independent, reliant on US

-British nuclear detterent virtually irrelevent compared to US and USSR

-heavy costs to maintain

-could invest same money into other areas

45
Q

problems with nuclear detterent in 1950s and 60s

A

-pressure grew for abandonment
-1958 campaign for nuclear
disarmament (aldermaston)
-1960 march attracted 100,000
-Lab more divided on issue than Cons

46
Q

Problems with nuclear detterent in 1980s

A

-controversial
-greenham common protests
-believed abolition would leave europe exposed to forces of USSR, much larger than NATO
-dependent on US at end, like foreign policy

47
Q

what problems did britain face in 1951 in its imperial policy

A

UN charter had focus in equality, meaning britain required to grant independence to its colonies

-GB officials didnt think they would be able to function alone

-Some colonies, for example cyrprus and malaysia contained hostile racial communities, scared of civil war

-from mid 1950s, non white races of the world challenged white supremacy

-Forces needed to suppress anti colonial nationalism were costly
-any violence resulted in bad headlines

48
Q

main reasons for britain granting independence to the majority of its colonies

A

-the impact of the second world war
-britains economic weakness
-the growth of colonial nationalism
-the impact of the cold war

49
Q

What was the impact of WW2 on british colonies

A

-war damaged european prestige
-changed relationship between ruler and colony

-Humiliating surrender of singapore to japanese in 1942 and rapid collapse of french and dutch empires in far east showed white supremacy not invincible

-started to exploit colonies for economic recources

-colonies unable to buy goods from GB, often preventing from buying elsewhere

-war saw greature unrest in major imperial posessions, india 1945

50
Q

what was the impact of british economic weakness on colonies

A

-posr war, so serious it became policy to exploit recourses of colonies evet more

-East african groundnut scheme

-disrupted communities

-also meant could no longer usppl colonies with investment capital and manufactured goods

51
Q

what was the impact of colonial nationalism on colonies

A

-growth of resentment meant leaders emerged, demanding immediate independence.

-encouraged by success of Nasser

-some areas like Kenya, resistance was violent, by end of 1952 there was a virtual civil war

-14000 killed

52
Q

what was the impact of the cold war on colonies

A

-americans encouraged GB to keep colonial empire, esp africa, because thei believed independent nations would be too weak to resist communist rule

-British struggled to handle

-USSR made anti colonial propoganda targeting African and asian support

53
Q

how successful was british colonial policy?

A

-britain hoped that if they initiated political reform in colonies, they could turn them into indpendent nations that would remain within the common wealth and British economic sphere (sterling areaa)

54
Q

what was the central african federation

A

-an attempt to unite and make weaker and smaller colonies economicallu and poliically stronger

55
Q

Main examples of decolinisation

A

-ghana
-Malaya
-nigeria
-rhodesia
-Kenya
-cyprus

56
Q

what happened in ghana?

A

-1948 riots in capital city, responded by granting universal suffrage and creating an elected parliament

-hoped to give power to cons nationalis, but faced challenge of radical nationalist leader who won elections in 1951

-Appeased GB by remaining in common wealth and sterling area

-Independence march 1957, example of ordered withdrawal, minimal violence

57
Q

what happened in Malaya

A

-invaluble source of tin and rubber, and port of singapore

-colony very diverse, 45% chinese, 40% malay and 15% indian

-1948 malayan chinese started insurrection against british rule

-guerrilla war against insurgents involved aprox 40,000 british and common wealth troops

-eventually successful, largely muslim and didnt like atheist communism of chinese

-granted independence 1957

58
Q

what happened in nigera

A

-regional differences even more than ghana
-north muslim, south christian
-ibo in east yoruba in west

-Handed over power to coalition representing north and ibo

-independet 1960

-ethnic tensins caused civil war later on

59
Q

what happened in Kenya

A

rich source of coffee and tea

-society divided between asian community and white stellers who farmed
-also 3 indiginous black national groups including Kikuyu

-1952 kikuyu excluded from land farmed by white settlers started guerrilla campaign (Mau Mau uprising)
-4 years suppressed by british authority

-macmillan realised demand for independence was too strong

-1963 independent

-suffered from political tension and divisions still

60
Q

what happened in cyprus

A

-1955 greek cypriots began terror campaign to expel british authorities

-before long, tied down 25,000 GB troops in campaign, only inflamed uprising

-British response complicated y the strategic importance of the island7

-20% of pop turkish and opposed to union with greece

-1960 macmillan succeeded in pesrsuading two communities to accept independence under greek president and turkish vice pres

-turkish invasion in 1974 led to partition of the island

61
Q

what happened in rhodesia

A

-white leadership over black majority
-200,000 white, 3 mil black
-britain couldnt accept this
-those on left wanted rhodesian regimecrushed by force if neccessary

-those on right liked rhodesian whites

-Wilson ruled out use of force and hoped trade sanctions would strangle the economy

-little impact, wilson tried to persoanlly tackle issue with leader Ian smith

-Failed, smith would agree to majoruty rule, embarrasing for wilson

-eventual independence happened in 1980

62
Q

what were the main tensions of the commonwealtj

A

-suez crisis 1956
-rapid dismantling of british colonial empire
-1961 south africa left instead of facing critism of its apartheid policies
-1962 commonwealth immigration act was particulary resented by black nations, clearly designed to limit black immigration into briain
-common wealth unity seriously threatened by britains handling of the rhodesian crisis
-britain acrified preferencil trade links with commonweltj by joining european community in 1973

63
Q

why did the commonwealth survive

A

-Nelson mandelas gov decided to rejoin in 1994
-suggested it remained a viable institution
-1995 mozambique and cameroon joined, first members with no historic ties to britain
-commitment of the queen

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