Chapter 4: Foreign relations Flashcards
What was the Schuman place of 1950?
proposals for a coal and steel community - aimed to join together French and german industry and promote economic reconstruction
- foundation of the EEC
What was the treaty of Rome (1957) ?
EEC is established - without britain - dominated by Germany and France
What was the European Free trade organisation (1959)?
created in 1960 by Britain - limited success, couldn’t match economic growth of EEC
Why did Britain not want to join the EEC?
- politicians were not in favour of Britain having leadership role in Europe
- right wanted to keep trade links with commonwealth, not europe
- Britain wanted to maitain special relationship with the USA
Why did Macmillan apply to join the EEC in 1961?
- stimulate economic growth and boost industrial production so exports can be increased (helping to tackle the balance of trade deficit)
What was the Cuban missile crisis and what was Britains role?
US send a blockade to prevent soviet ships (carrying nuclear weapons) from reaching Cuba - Kennedy kept Macmillan involved but Britain didn’t have an active role
What was the Burgess and Maclean affair and how did this impact the special relationship?
Burgess and Maclean were british intelligence officiers who defected to the soviet union - americans were less ready to share intelligence secrets with britain
What was the Korean war and what was Britains role?
north Korea (supported by soviet union and china) invades the south - UN sends forces to combat this - Britain sends over 90,000 - ceasefire is reached
- shows that Britain still wants to have a major role in worlds affairs
What was the Suez crisis and what was Britains role?
- Britain, France and Israel invade Egypt (plans made in secret) after Suez is nationalised (major economic threat - 80% of western oil imports pass through the canal)
- US are furious - damages special relationship and Britain is forced to pull out (showed that Britain could not act without the support of the united states)
What was the nuclear deterrent?
belief that possession of nuclear weapons would stop another country from attacking with nuclear weapons
When was the first atomic bomb tested in Britain?
1952 - third country in the world (after USA and USSR)
What was the CND and how much influence did it have?
campaign for nuclear disarmament - protest group - 1958, 8000 people took part in a demonstration at a weapons base at Aldermaston in berkshire
What was the mutual defence agreement (1960) and how does this impact Britain?
US agree to share nuclear technology with Britain - Britain abandon project Blue streak and become dependent on American Polaris submarine weapon system - some labour members become more skeptical of supporting pro-nuclear policy
When was the British withdrawal from India ?
1947
What was the Mau Mau rebellion and how did it impact british colonial policy?
violent uprising in Kenya against british colonial rule - Mau Mau fighter accused of commiting atrocities but british reputation was damaged after brutal treatment of captives (torture and execution) is revealed- Britain struggled to contain the rebellio
What happened in Malaysia in 1957?
- 1950s - federation begins negotiations for independence
- 31st August 1957 - Malaysia achieves independence from Britain
When did Ghana gain independence?
1957
What did the Winds of change speech reveal?
signified a dramatic change in policy - called for decolonisation and recognisation of independence movements
What was the 1953 coup in iran and what was Britains role?
August 1953
- funded by US and UK, restored Mohammad R.S.P as Irans leader
- iran was of interest due to its strategic location and oil reserves - after WW2 britain kept control of Iranian oil via the anglo-iranian oil company
- 1951 - gov wants to nationalise oil industry so UK begins a secret campaign to destabilise the Gov (CIA funded agents cause unrest) - pro-western monarch is returned to power
