Foreign Affairs Flashcards
Foreign affairs
The independence of countries by, 1964
By 1964, the wind of change had brought independence to 18, new Commonwealth states. Wilson hoped to continue this process. This would mean not only more decolonisation, but reducing Britain military responses.
Foreign affairs
Britain, special relationship
Britains special relationship with the US and its relationship with the rest of Europe highlighted issues with Britain. This was shown by their attitudes to America’s war with Vietnam and attitudes to joining the EEC.
Foreign affairs
Relations with policies towards USA
Wilson’s opinion on America
Wilson was pro Americanist and was supportive of their Atlantic alliance, he wanted America to stay committed to the defence of Europe due to the ongoing threat of the spread of communism.
Foreign affairs
Relations with policies towards USA
What did America want allies to do in respond to the Vietnam war.
As the Vietnam war began in 1964, the US president wanted to game support and approval from United States allies, including Britain. However, Wilson resisted any direct military involvement.
Relations with policies towards USA.
What problems did Vietnam pose for Wilson?
Wilson wanted to maintain the Atlantic alliance, but Vietnam became unpopular of Britain, he risked losing political support if he was too supportive of it. there were economic and financial considerations.
Relations with policies towards USA, and the issue of Vietnam.
Why did Britain not get involved in the Vietnam war?
Britain could not afford military involvement, but Wilson needed the support of the US to support the value of the sterling and avoid devaluation. he gave moral support without military support instead but the US wasn’t to happy.
Response to world affairs and relations with Europe
Labour government on joining the EEC .
They were not committed to continue in the Conservative policy of seeking entry into the EEC.
Response to world affairs and relations with Europe
Hugh Gaitskell and joining the EEC
He had fought passionately against Britain’s first application, and his opposition was based on the fear that the EEC was the first step towards a federal political union.
Response to world affairs and relations with Europe
The left of labour on joining the EEC
Labour left such as Michael foot and Barbara Castle and trade unions, saw the EEC as a club for capitalists that would prevent Britain from following socialist policies.
Response to world affairs and relations with Europe
Wilson on joining the EEC
He preferred the Atlantic alliance and stronger links with the Commonwealth, but he could also see the strength of some of the economic reasons for joining. He was also conscious of keeping the labour party united.
Response to world, affairs and relations with Europe
1966 and Wilson’s decision on Britain’s application to EEC
By 1966, Wilson was becoming more convinced of economic arguments, and in October, Wilson’s cabinet agreed to back a new application for the EEC membership.
Response to world affairs and relations with Europe
Problems with Britains application to join the EEC in 1966
Prospects of it, succeeding were not good, and there were doubts within labour. De Gaulle was still president of France, and there was little sign that he changed his mind about British entry.
Response to world, affairs and relations with Europe
Wilson and George Browns meeting with the de Gaulle in January 1960
They thought it had gone well and toured the other five EEC countries trying to gain support. In 1967, Wilson went back to Paris again, and de Gaulle demanded assurances that Britain would detach from the special relationship.
Response to world affairs and relations with Europe
The outcome of de Gaulles and Wilson’s meeting in June 1967
Wilson did not detach Britain from the special relationship with USA and de Gaulle use his veto against British entry, and Britain’s application was rejected.
Decolonisation
The labour governments decolonisation policy
The labour government continued, the decolonisation policy that had started under the Conservatives and accelerated after MacMillan “Wind of change” speech.
Withdrawal from “east of suez”
Reduction of military
The labour government knew from 1964, that there would have to be a reduction in military commitments for economic reasons.
Withdrawal from east of Suez
Dennis Healy, the minister of defence and reductions of troops and budget
Started a process of spending cuts designed to bring the defence budget below £2 billion. Healey’s defence white paper in 1967, set a timetable for troops withdrawal from Aden, the middle East Malaysia and Singapore.
The withdrawal of east of Suez
Atlantic alliance and nuclear deterrent
Wilson believed in the Atlantic alliance, and in Britain, continuing to have a major world role. There were no debate about giving up the nuclear deterrent despite its expense.
Withdrawal from the east of Suez
Polaris missiles
The Wilson government announced they will continue to deploy US Polaris missiles and by 1967, a commitment was made to upgrade the system.
Withdrawal from East of suez
The 1967 devaluation crisis and Roy Jenkins
By 1968, they were drastic spending cuts introduced by Roy Jenkins after the devaluation crisis. Withdrawal from the east of Suez was rapidly accelerated and troops were to be pulled out Aden and Singapore by the end of 1971.
Withdrawal of east of Suez
TSR2
Despite the wishes of Wilson and Healy, the development of the new high-tech war plane was abandoned, because it was too costly
Rhodesia
McMillan, wind of change speech
McMillan chose Cape Town to make his speech, which targeted the white minority regime who thought they could resist reforms of letting people declare independence
Rhodesia
South Africans response to the wind of change speech
South Africa saw the speech as a challenge and a threat. in 1963 the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland had broke into separate entities and the northern of Rhodesia in 1964 became the new independent state of Zambia.
Rhodesia
South of Rhodesia after the separation
They had hoped for independence at the same time, but Britain made it clear that this could not happen until majority rule, replaced political domination by the white population.
Rhodesia
Ian Smith and the majority rule of independence.
Political role blew up when Ian Smith became the prime minister in 1965, Smith issued a unilateral declaration of dependence for Rhodesia without accepting majority rule.
Rhodesia
Ian Smith and labour
Smith’s action was a direct challenge to the labour government, but Wilson hoped that he could reach a solution through oil sanctions or by a negotiated solution. Meetings were held of the HMS tiger.
Rhodesia
Ian Smith and Wilson‘s meeting
Smith disavowed everything that Wilson had suggested, and Wilson frustration continued. Oil sanctions did not have much effects as Rhodesia could get oil through Portugal.
Rhodesia
Ian smith and conservatives
South Africa could trade with Rhodesia and they talked on the HMS fearless in 1968, but Ian felt stronger and believed he could rely on the support from the right wing of Conservative Party.
Rhodesia
Defeat of Wilson due to the independent of south rhodesia
Who is the most forced to accept defeat?
