chapter 8 Flashcards
foreign affairs harold wilson
what was a recent event happening in foreign relations during this period
-dismantling of the commonwealth. by 1964 18 new commonwealth states had independence
-due to winds of change speech
what were the effects of the dismantling of the commonwealth
-reduced military responsibility
-reduced perception of a world leading style country. less political and public influence
what was wilson’s perception of the special alliance
-‘pro-american’ & keen supporter
-britain wanted to make sure USA were comitted to defence of europe in the cold war
what caused strain in the atlantic alliance
-escalation of the vietnam war in 1964 meant Johnson wanted direct support from allies.
-australia sent troops to vietnam & johnson expected the same from britain
-britain only sent moral support which annoyed johnson
why did britain not want to send troops to vietnam
-extremely unpopular with the public who wanted peace and no economic pressures
-wilsons parrty did not agree with the war
who was seriously against eec application
-hugh gaitskell claimed it is the first step to federal political union
-michael foot, barbara castle
-trade unions-
who was positive toward eec application
europhiles in cabinet
-roy jenkings
-gordon brown
-harold wilson didnt really mind - could see benefits but wanted to stay close to america and keep his party united
what happened that made the second application be rejected
-wilson and george brown (foreign sec) went to paris in January and June 1967 to get support from DeGaulle
-degaulle put wilson on the spot and asked if he would detach from the special relationship
-wilson said no
-november gaulle veto their entry
why would britian have to reduce military commitments from 1964 onwards
-economic restrictions
which internal event in britain catalysed the withdrawal of east suez
1967 devaluation crisis
troops pulled out of aden & arabian gulf
where was the winds of change speech made and why
-rhodesia
-targeting the white minority who wanted to resist reformation
how was the speech recieved
white minority were not persuaded as it was seen a challenge/threat
what was an event that began the trouble
-ian smith becoming pm
-issued unilateral declaration of independence for rhodesia without accepting majority rule. directly challenging labour gov
how did wilson and smiths meeting go
met on HMS Tiger in 1966 which seemed to make progress but once home smith disavowed everything
what were some measures taken to end issues
-oil sanctions 1967
-got oil from mozambique and oil companies ignored policy
