Foregin Affairs Flashcards
Why were there need for discussion in the falklands
Why did war occur ?
The falklands island was shared by Britain and Argentina. By 1970 the is,and had little strategic important and the foreign office were prepared to negotiate with Argentina over the future of the Island. However the islanders themselves were keen to remain British.
- in 1981 foreign sec lord carrington and the defence sec john not approved the withdrawal of HMS endurance, leaving the south Atlantic without any British navel presence. Argentina took this as Britain was willing to let the falklands go and invaded the falklands claiming the land was there’s. lord carrington resigned as he had advised against pulling out endurance. Thatcher announced that a navel task force would be sent to remove argentine forces and assert the rights of Yh falklands islanders to self determination
Why was sending troops into the falklands a risky decision
Winning back the island with force would be difficult and dangerous and the government had already seemed to show that it was willing to negotiate over the islands future
How did the falklands effect thatchers popularity
When did he peaceful settlement disappear
Sent her pervious unpopular government soaring in opinion polls. The headline in the American magazine was “the empire strikes back”
When a British submarine sank the Argentina battleship, Belgrano causing heavy loss of life, but this was controversial because the battleship was heading away from the battle zone. Many applauded the actions the sun headlined in ‘Gotcha’
Why did Britain need support from the USA
Why was their role crucial?
When did Argentina forces surrender
As it would of been impossible to fight battles 8000 miles from home without the use of American bases. America gave the green light to go ahead which strengthened the special relationship with thatcher and Reagan.
- when an aired launched missiles destroyed the British warship HMS Sheffield Americans intervention prevented argentine forces from obtaining enough missiles to weaken the British task force.
- 14th June
Why could it be argued that the falklands was unnecessary
Why was the war psychologically important
Because Britain would sooner or later end up negotiating a deal with Argentina
- now a sense of national pride in Britain
What was the relationship like between Reagan and thatcher
Hid events in Libya strength the special rel
Where were there some signs of differences ?
How did thatcher and Reagans rel last outside of politics
Strong - both from the same generation and had been shaped from ww2. Thatcher was particularly influence by her wartime memories. Her view of 20th century history was that America came twice to the rescue after those Europeans who had made a mess of things.
- Britain allowed the USA to use British air bases to bomb Libya despite it being an unpopular decision in Britain
- US invaded Grenda after a communist coup against the advice of thatcher.
- a video of thatcher was played at his 2004 funeral “ we have lost a great president, a great American and a great man and I have lost a dear friend “
What were events of the new Cold War between 1979 and 87
1979 -soviet invasion of Afghanistan
1981- Reagan elected who believed the USSR was a evil empire
1983- cruise missiles based at Greenham common
1984- first meeting between thatcher and Gorbachev
1985- Gorbachev became USSR leader
1986- Gorbachev launches perestroika and glasnost and summits with USA begin
1986- Reagan and Gorbachev meet in Iceland
What did tensions between America and USSR cause scares of
Nuclear war
Protect and survive booklets were given to people to told what to do if there was a nuclear attack.
The wind blows was a cartoon book published 1986 which showed how an elderly couple prepared for nuclear conflict.
How did thatcher contribute to ending the Cold War
What did she say about Gorbachev
What was signed in 1987 which showed progression
Using her combative style and her determination to confront the USSR in the early 1980s and her willingness to negotiate with Gorbachev
“I like Gorbachev. Him and I can do business together”
-the intermediate range nuclear forces ready signed in Washington - limiting short range weapons and beginning a process of mutual disarmament.
What was thatcher concerns with the EEC
How did thatcher cooperate with French president
Britain was paying in much more to tO THE EEC than was being returned in benefits.
- they cooperated closely over the channel runner project which was agreed in 1986.
What did the single European act mean
What was clear in 1987
It created a free market in Europe reality but it also surrender some elements of British sovereignty.
- clear that the conservatives were pro European
What was the westlands afraid
About who would take over the failing British helicopter company, Westland. But what this really showed was the division in economic decisions. Heseltine the defence sec favoured a take over from European consortium. Thatcher favoured no interference from government even if it meant the company would go to a US company. Thatcher was known to block discussion in parliament and not discuss concerns of a American take over. Heseltine storm out as resigned. Thatcher said it was the closest she as come to resigning.
What gave her the nickname ‘the iron lady’
What did Denis Healy call thatcher
Her tough stance against the soviets and she gained admiration across the world for bringing Reagan and Gorbachev together.
- Reagan poodle.
