Foreign affairs 60s

Question 1

Which two spheres of influence were britain drawn between following the dissolution of their empire after the winds of change speech

Answer 1

Europe and USA

Question 2

What two major events happened in 1968 much to Wilson’s chagrin

Answer 2

Crushing of Dubceks prague spring and the escalation of Vietnam war e.g. Tet offensive

Question 3

Was the Vietnam war popular within the UK

Answer 3

yes(lie)

Question 4

Why was WIlson torn over the Vietnam War

Answer 4

Needed US financial backing, especially over the devaluation crisis and was a great supporter of the Atlantic Alliance, but couldnt support Vietnam because of backlash from the public and his own party.
He annoyed both sides because he neither explicitly condemned or explicitly supported the war

Question 5

What were the 60s labour partys thoughts on the eec

Answer 5

Gaitskell-against claiming it would be the end of a thousand years of history fearing a federal political union
Many on Labour left, including Foot and Castle and trade unions saw it as a capitalist club that aimed to undercut British workers in an evil cabal of Ricardian Comparative advantage abuse.
Jenkins and Brown were in support and Wilson was aloof, preferring America but aware of the need for unity

Question 6

When was the UKs second EEc application

Answer 6

1966-world cup baby

Question 7

Was britains second application to the EEC successful in 1967

Answer 7

No- De Gaulle vetoed it becuase Britain wouldnt give up its special relationship and he was french(derogatory).The application was in danger of seeming half hearted because only half the labour party actually supported it. However the fact the chance of success was poor kept those vociferously anti-europe in the labour party quiet

Question 8

Which defence minister started budget cuts designed to bring the defence budget below what value by 1970

Answer 8

Denis Healey and £2 Billion

Question 9

What areas east of the Suez’s evacuation was delineated in the 1967 white paper

Answer 9

Malaysia, Singapore, Aden, and the rest of the middle east

Question 10

Why was British withdrawal east of suez heavily accelerated

Answer 10

Jenkins budget cuts following the devaluation crisis, as well as devaluation itself meant Britains situation was untenable and troops were projected to be pulled out by the end of ‘71

Question 11

Rhodesia

Answer 11

:)
(Any references made to the state of Rhodesia are solely for historical or observational purposes and do not constitute an endorsement, celebration, or agreement with the policies, actions, or ideologies associated with the former state of Rhodesia. The information presented should not be construed as support for any political viewpoint or historical event related to Rhodesia. Readers are encouraged to independently verify historical facts and seek professional advice or historical expertise when necessary.)

Question 12

When does Rhodesia enact its UDI and what does that stand for

Answer 12

11th of November 1965 and a Unilateral Declaration of Independence

Question 13

What were Britains conditions for Southern Rhodesian Independence

Answer 13

Rhodesia needed to enact majority rule and abolish the white minority rule currently in place

Question 14

What ship did Ian Smith and Harold Wilson meet on off the coast of Gibralter in 1966

Answer 14

HMS Tiger

Question 15

What sanctions were placed on Rhodesia and why did they turn out to be overall ineffective

Answer 15

Oil and weapons embargoes; the neighbouring portugese colony of mozambique was very willing to illicitly trade with them, as were many large oil companies

Question 16

Why did Smith feel more confident in 1968 talks with Harold Wilson

Answer 16

He thought he could rely on support from the right wing of the Tory party, aas well as support from the british public;upon the announcement of the Rhodesian UDI, letter to British newspapers were roughly 5 to 1 in favour of Smiths actions. He felt all he had to do was wait for Britain to give in