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
