british foreign policy

Question 1

1947

Answer 1

withdrawal from India
‘jewel of empirical crown’ + one of biggest parts of empire
would lead to economic problems ( exports of silk + spices + cotton )
marks retreat from empire
first country to gain independence ( part of decolonisation movement)
under the Attlee govt.

Question 2

1951 ( nuclear deterrent…)

Answer 2

Attlee committed to Nuclear D (Labour policy)
Led to formation of CND - want brits 2 reject it
was UK’s largest pressure group - drew in many left-wing labour politicians

but ! was one of only ways of remaining a major world power !

Question 3

1952 - 1960 (Mau Mau)

Answer 3

start of MM rebellion !
violent nationalist uprising (Kenya) against colonial rule
Leader Jomo Kenyatta later emerges as PM post imprisonment by brit authorities

bitter on both sides
Kenya : atrocities
Britain : brutal treatment @ Hola camp !

significance ?

demonstrates problems w/ Brit colonial policies
Kenyan independence movement ( sparks African decolonisation! )

Question 4

1954 ( Suez pt 1 )

Answer 4

British withdrawal from Egypt

Egyptian independence under NATIONALIST leader Colonel Nasser

Question 5

1955 ( Messina )

Answer 5

Messina conference !!

shape taking of the EEC
British delegation = present but doesn’t join, only observes
meeting of Benelux + Italy + Germany + France

proposes more EU integration !

Question 6

1956 ! Suez pt 2 : - (

Answer 6

FAILURE OF INTERVENTION
significant :
hugely embarrassing
details were withheld from USA
USA would not lend wonga w/o our backing out + ceasefire
USA = were an opp 2 the motion so we fell in2 financial crisis

decolonisation = considered as we are questioned over status as a world power ! (undermining)

Question 7

1956 ( Hungary ! )

Answer 7

significant :

west ignores ! too focused on the SC + allow for Soviet powers to regain control ( unaware of spread of communism)

Question 8

1957 ( Ghana ! )

Answer 8

independence !

starts of chain of African independence

Question 9

1957 ( EEC)

Answer 9

formed by the treaty of Rome
dominated by Germany + France
Charles De Gaulle vetoe’s our application ! as he wants to protect it from ‘les - anglo saxons ‘

USA were keen on Britain joining as they saw us as an economic bridge between europe + states so lowkey pissed when we rejected

Led 2 EFTA !
the outer countries ( portugal , Uk , spain etc etc)
was moderately successful + but couldn’t compare w/ success of trade w/in EEC

Question 10

1960 ( Blue Streak missile programme )

Answer 10

we failed ! ( our contribution 2 the space race)
were abt. 2 use uninhabited land in Cumbria but couldn’t ! but we are a small island + leaves towns + villages vulnerable 2 nuclear damage !

also we were to enthusiastic ,already started paying for shiz b4 silos were built !

Question 11

1960 ( Mac : WOC )

Answer 11

winds of change !
change of policy
wants recognition of independence movements + decolonisation

encourages majority rule !
SA : seems 2 prefer minority white rule + later vote in referendum 2 cut all ties w/ UK

Question 12

1960 ( independence of NIGERIA + CYPRUS )

Answer 12

• due 2 African colonisation movement

- Cyprus gains FULL sovereignty

Question 13

1961 ( SA say bye to commonwealth )

Answer 13

wanted 2 become Republic
- WOC
was a forced exist
pst pressure bc apartheid policies still bangin on !

Question 14

1963 independence granted 2 Kenya

Answer 14

• lots of agitation surrounding Kenyatta’s freedom
• became Republic w/ Kenyatta’s as first president
• join commonwealth !

Question 15

1963 : Rejection of Brit letter 2 join EEC

Answer 15

rejection by inner 6
say its too much of a compromise 2 keep affairs w/ commonwealth + maintain special relationship w/ USA AS WELL AS join EEC
Brit + France have bad relationship for time !
Brit = no longer a world power
embarassment ( cah UK was mad optimistic of joining ! )