Foreign Policy Flashcards
Issues regarding foreign relations Britain faced in 1964
Pressure for decolonisation and ti continue the ‘wind of change.’
Belief Britain was an important world power remained - decolonisation weakened this position.
Britains ‘special relationship’ with the US. - Vietnam war
Britains relationship with the rest of Europe. - Attitude to joining the EEC
Wilson’s stance on the US and the Cold War
He was pro-American and a keen supporter of the Atlantic alliance.
Concerned over the soviet threat in the East - he wanted to ensure the US stayed committed to protecting Europe.
British response to the Vietnam War
Britain refused to have any direct military involvement despite being urged to do so by the US.
Factors putting pressure on Britains decision over Vietnam
The US wanted support and approval from all its allies
Wilson wanted to keep the Atlantic alliance
Wilson wanted the US to commit to defending Europe from the soviets in the east
Other countries like Australia were willing to send troops
Britain was financially and militarily dependant on the US.
Wilson’s stance on the Vietnam war
Gave moral support but not military.
- Disappointed the left who wanted him to condemn the war.
- Disappointed the US who wanted greater backing.
Reaction to the Vietnam War
Michael Foot, socialist MP on the left of labour, “we and our labour government share the guilt for the continuance of the infamy in Vietnam”
First televised war - public insight into the horrors provided a greater lack of appetite for war.
Arguments against joining the EEC
Fear the EEC was the first step to a federal political union
Many saw the EEC as a club for capitalists, denying Britain from following any socialist policies.
Those in favour of the EEC
Senior labour cabinet members like Roy Jenkins and George Brown who were europhiles.
Those against joining the EEC
Gaitskell who described joining the EEC as being ‘the end of a thousand years of history’
Those on the left of the party like Michael Foot who and Barbara castle
The trade unions
Britains second EEC application
In October 1966 Wilson and his cabinet agreed to back anew application.
In January 1967, Wilson and Brown toured Europe in the hopes of gaining support for their application, returning to Paris in June to discuss final negotiations.
De Gaulle demanded Britain detach itself from their ‘special relationship’ with the US, Wilson declined.
In November, de Gaulle used his veto against Britains entry yet again.
Britains military withdrawals
From 1964, defence ministry Denis Healey started a process of spending cuts, designed to bring the defence budget below £2 billion by 1970.
His white paper in 1967 set out for troop withdrawals from Aden, the Middle East, Malaysia and Singapore.
Stance on the nuclear deterrent
Despite Britains economic situation, Wilson believed in the Atlantic alliance and Britains world role.
Therefore there was no debate in giving up the nuclear deterrent.
Britain continued to deploy US Polaris missiles.
In 1967 a commitment was made to upgrade the system.
Aftermath of the 1967 devaluation crisis
Withdrawal east of suez rapidly accelerated.
Troops were pulled out of Aden, the Arabian gulf, Malaysia and Singapore by the end of 1971.
The development of new high-tech war plane TSR2 was abandoned.
Reaction to Macmillans ‘wind of change’ speech
Failed to persuade the white minorities.
In Southern Africa, seen as a challenge and a threat.
Situation in Rhodesia
In 1963, the federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland broke up into 3 separate entities.
In 1964, northern Rhodesia became Zambia, Nyasaland became Malawi and southern Rhodesia remained.
Southern Rhodesia hoped for independence, but Britain said until majority rule replace the white dominated political system this could not happen.
Ian Smith 1965
Rhodesian PM Ian Smith blew up a political row when he issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence for Rhodesia without accepting majority rule.
Wilson’s solution to Rhodesia
Believed a solution could be reached in weeks.
Wilson met with Ian Smith on HMS Tiger in December 1966, this meeting seemed to make progress but smith disavowed everything he said after.
Wilson imposed oil sanctions which didn’t have much effect throughout 1967.
Outcome of the issue over Rhodesia
More talks were held with Smith in October 1968, by then Smith was stronger and felt he could rely on support from the conservative right, so just had to wait for Britain to give in.
Wilson’s diplomacy got nowhere, the situation upset the commonwealth and the labour left wing.
Made Britain look weak.
