Britains position in the world, 1951-97, all Flashcards
1
Q
Britain and USA relations - coordination/support - 1951-79
A
- Cold war – relations between USA got closer.
- USA gave Britain Financial aid – Marshal Aid Scheme.
- Britain + USA – co-ordinated in Berlin Blockade, 1948-49
- Both members of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) – 1949.
- ‘Special relationship’ – Churchill speaking in USA – about British Commonwealth and USA Empire.
- Britain + USA – troops to defend South Korea against the Invasion by the Chinese – backed by communist North Korea.
- Joined US in Geneva agreement – divided Vietnam in 1954.
2
Q
Britain and USA relations - conflict - 1951-79?
A
o Britain’s intervention in the Suez Canal – 1956, not supported by USA – demonstrated Britain could no longer act independently of or in opposition to USA – Eisenhower was furious – however did little permanent damage to relations.
o USA involved in Vietnam – Britain did not provide military aid (economic problems and lack of public support for the US) + tried to bring about peace settlement – Wilson (64-70) – failure demonstrated how little influence Britain had over America – irritated Johnson (‘63-69) – lack ok UK support.
o In Cuban Missile Crisis – USA did not act in close operation with Britain.
o Heath (1970-74) – Believed Britain future lay with Europe – wanted Britain to be part of Europe-wide partnership with USA – instead of special status in Washington – distinctly cool relations.
o Warmer relations – personal chemistry Callaghan (76-79) and Carter (77-81).
3
Q
USA and Britain relations under Thatcher and Reegan?
A
- Both strong opponents of communism.
- Visited each-other often – strengthen personal ties.
- Agreement on many polices: opposing UN sanction against apartheid regime in South Africa.
- Military aid: US assistance in Falklands War, Thatcher allowed USA – use British air bases 1986 – to bomb Libya – relation to terrorist actions against American targets.
- Disagreements:
o T sceptical about R’s ‘Star Wars’ initiative – Strategic Defence Initiative – laser capable of shooting incoming missiles – disliked by T – believed nuclear weapons kept peace since 1945.
o Worried Reagan made too many concessions on nuclear disarmament.
o Disliked USA invasion of Grenada (to remove left-wing gov 1983).
4
Q
USA and Britain cooperation/relations after 1990?
A
o Strong ties maintained -Cooperated in 1st Gulf War – Remove Iraq’s troops from Kuwait – after invasion by Saddam Hussein.
o Collaborated in UN efforts – stop violence in former Yugoslavia 1995 – Brought about Dayton Peace Accords.
5
Q
USSR and Britain relations - oppositions?
A
- Mutual suspicion and distrust characterized relationship.
- Defence planning – envisaged USSR – major threat for Cold War period, USA kept military presence in Berlin – guard from Russian Expansion.
- UK and USA – agreed rearming of West Germany + its inclusion in NATO – opposed by USSR.
- Both Opposed USSR in North Korean expansion in 1950 – had the backing of the USSR.
- Russia disapproved of Suez Crisis – critical of Britain’s Imperialism generally – Britain disapproved of USSR repression of unrest in Eastern Europe – especially Hungarian revolt 1956 + Czech Crisis 1968.
- Condemned Berlin Wall 1961 – and Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan 1980.
- Accused each other of espionage – low point in relations – expulsion of 100 Soviet diplomats form Britain 1971.
6
Q
USSR and Britain relations - attempts the relieve tensions?
A
- Fall of Stalin 1953 – greater contact – more state visits.
- Khrushchev visited Britain 1956 – Macmillan – Moscow 1959.
- Despite communist criticism – Thatcher – good relations with Gorbachev – state visits in 1984 – calmed Russian concerns about America and the Star Wars.
- Fall of USSR control 1989 – end of Communism – break up of USSR 1991 – welcomed by Britain – new phase of Anglo-Russian Relations.
- British Efforts – 1990s – paved way for Russia to join exclusive club of leading industrialised nations – known as ‘G8’.
- 1992 – Yeltsin – visited Britain – sign wide-ranging agreements – trade and military co-operation.
7
Q
British Support for the UN?
A
- Historic role in founding early development of the UN.
- 1st meetings of general assembly and Security Council – London Jan 1946.
- Always been permanent member of the Security Council.
- Major contributor to UN budget – 2013-15 – 6.7% of the total.
- British-born officials – significant roles in the agencies of UN.
- One judge in International Court of Justice at Hague.
- Member of important Economic and Social Council.
- British gov – anxious to obtain UN support for policies – boosted authority of UN – war against Iraq – justified by UN condemnation of Iraq’s Invasion of Kuwait.
- Forces taken part in peace-keeping missions – UN military actions: Korean War (1950-53) – British forces took part – prevent North Korea (backed by China and USSR).
- Forces – Yugoslavia – 1992-1995 – prevent ethnic cleansing by Serbian troops in Bosnia and Croatia.
- Peacekeeping force in Cyprus since 1964.
8
Q
British Conflict with the UN?
A
- Used right of veto 32 times since 1956 – E.g. vetoed resolutions over demands for majority rule in Rhodesia – 1963-1976 – Britain did not wish to take military action.
- Suez Crisis – acted outside UN – 1956 – Britain, France, Israel – allied – attack Egypt after Nasser nationalised Suez Canal.
- UN – not consulted – although Britain accepted intervention of UN peacekeeping forces when it was clear that domestic and international opinion was against intervention.
- UN wished to condemn US bombing of Libya 1986 – Thatcher joined USA in vetoing the critical resolution.
- Britain did little to limit conflict in Congo and Rwanda.
- Resented + ignores criticism of UN about colonial policies.
- British military support – limited – only 2,500 troops deployed to support humanitarian and peacekeeping in the former Yugoslavia.
- British membership of NATO – more significant – foreign and defence policy.
9
Q
Domestic Divisions in Britain about joining EEC
A
- 1950s - Scepticism about joining united Europe’s – Britain had strong links with Commonwealth and ‘special relationship’ with US.
- Macmillan realised colonial Empire had not future – tried to establish stronger ties with Europe’s:
- He took initiative to establish European Free Trade Area – 1960: 7 Europeans countries – not in EEC – created EFTA – looser structure than EEC – UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland and Portugal – abolished trade tariffs – free to set own tariffs with non-member countries – allowing Britain to maintain strong links with Commonwealth.
- 1961 – due to scale of Economic issues in Britain convinced pro-Europeans of need to join EEC - Britain first applies to Join EEC – rejected – France vetoed against Britain’s membership – president Charles de Gaulle – doubted British commitment to united Europe.
- Both Major parties had opposition to joining Europe:
- Labour: left of Labour – extend nationalised control of British economy – not want. To join EEC – as it committed to Free enterprise.
- Conservative: Faction nostalgic of Empire – opposed entry – jeopardise British ties with Commonwealth.
- Wilson – tackle division within Labour party - Wilson held national referendum 1975 – remain side won – 2:1 votes in favour of membership.
- Rest of decade – not major issue in domestic politics.
10
Q
Why did British attitudes towards Europe change between 1950 and 1975?
A
- Loss of Empire - look towards Europe.
- Economic success of EEC - compared to EFTA – Britain’s economy was in trouble.
- Heath’s premiership – Pro-Europeans.
- USA encouraged UK joining.
- Retirement of de Gaulle – 1969 – British entry possible.
11
Q
Thatcher and the Conservative party in European 1980s
A
- 1980s – Thatcher’s gov – disagreements about EEC budget contributions – Thatcher though contributions were too large – ‘I want my money back’ – four years before success – damaged relations.
- Thatcher opposed Europeans Vision of United Europe – regarded it as a threat to British sovereignty.
- Divisions within party: Some members believed inflation could be tackled by joining ERM – issue contributed to her downfall.
12
Q
Major, Maastricht and Conservative divisions 1990s
A
- Briefly member of ERM – and signed Maastricht Treaty 1991 – greater economic + political union – did not accept common currency (euro).
- Throughout 1990s – Euroscepticism – strong in conservative party 2 main issues:
o Humiliating withdrawal from ERM – 1992 – subsequent economic recovery – strengthened that Britain did not benefit form European membership.
o Maastricht treaty – united those wanting to leave EEC and those who only wanted partnership – because of its implications of British Sovereignty. - Pro-Europeans:
o Britain benefited being part of world’s largest single market.
o Free movement of goods, working conditions, labour – removed business obstacles.
o Regulations benefitted all countries.
o European Union – more investment form outside Europe than Britain could achieve alone.
13
Q
Britain as a Major player in Europe:
A
- Still major role despite join EEC late.
- Major power in North Atlantic Treaty Organization 1949 (NATO).
- Initiative to establish European Free Trade Area – 1960: 7 Europeans countries – not in EEC – created EFTA – looser structure than EEC – UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland and Portugal – abolished trade tariffs – free to set own tariffs with non-member countries – allowing Britain to maintain strong links with Commonwealth.
- Persisted attempts to join EEC – after rejection – 1973 joined under Heath – EEC later became European Union – 1993.
14
Q
Britain as an outsider in the move to European Unity 1950s
A
- 1950s - Scepticism about joining united Europe’s – Britain had strong links with Commonwealth and ‘special relationship’ with US.
- Did not join European Coal and Steel Community 1952, did not partake in discussions leading to Treaty of Rome in 1955 – Established European Economic Community.
15
Q
Arguments in favour of British Nuclear deterrent?
A
- Lab Gov 1940s – decided to build British Nuclear bomb 1947 – pre-NATO treaty 1949 – fear USA unwilling to defend Europe – nuclear weapons needed to deter USSR.
- British nuclear deterrent – defence of Western Europe.
- Possession of independent deterrent – maintains status as ‘great’ power.
