Foreign Policy Flashcards
What were Thatcher’s foreign policy aims?
- strengthen the special relationship to bring about the end of the cold war
- create stronger ties with Europe without losing a sense of national identity
- Wanted show that britain was still a strong world power
How did the US help Britain during the falklands war?
in 1982 let them use their military bases
What were the aims of foreign policy in this period?
- manage the transition from Empire to Commonwealth
- Atlantic alliance - Strengthen ties between UK, North America and Western Europe
- Support the foundations and join the EEC
What was the Mau Mau rebellion?
By the Mau Mau tribe in Kenya against the British Empire and rule in the hope for freedom
When was the Mau Mau rebellion?
1952
What colonies were granted independence between 1957-1963?
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leon
- Uganda
- Kenya
What did Macmillan’s Wind of Change speech highlight?
Marked a clear shift in policy from trying to maintain control over the colonies to decolonisation, recognition of independence movements and trying to persuade African countries to accept majoirty rather than white minority rule
When was the Wind of Change speech?
1960
What was achieved by 1964 when it came to the commonwealth?
Transition was mostly achieved with less bloodshed than other countries giving up their empires
How many troops did Britain send into the Korean war?
- 90000
- second largest after America
Which alliance did the Korean War improve?
The atlantic alliance as Britain supported America and South korea in fighting the North
When was the Korean war?
1950-1953
When was the Burgess and Maclean affair?
1951
What was the Burgess and Maclean affair?
Two workers of the MI5 defected to the USSR causing concern over what secrets had be shared with Moscow
What did the Burgess and Maclean affair cause within the Atlantic Alliance?
- Amercia no longer trusted Britain
- They were reluctant to share intelligence
When was the Suez crisis?
1956
What effect did the suez crisis have on the atlantic alliance and why?
It damaged the relationship as America had specifically condemned their actions and they carried on
What did the Suez crisis show about Britain?
It showed Britain’s financial and military weaknesses as they couldn’t act without the US support
What was the mutual defence agreement?
US agreed to share nuclear technology with Britain
When was the mutual defence agreement?
1958
What did Polaris show about the atlantic alliance?
That Britian relied on US nuclear deterrent
What did the 1960s cold war events e.g. the Berlin and Cuban missile crisis show about the atlantic alliance?
US kept Britain involved and informed of what was happening
What was the US keen for the UK to do in 1961 and why?
It was keen for the UK to join the EEC as they saw it as a vital link between Europe and America
What was the Schuman plan?
Proposed a coal and steel community to intergrare French and West German industry
Why did Britain support the schuman plan?
Believed it would help the security of Europe
When was the Schuman plan?
1960
What was the treaty of Rome?
Established the EEC with 6 founder members
Who were the 6 founder members of the EEC?
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Luxembourg
When was the Treaty of Rome?
1957
Who was Charles de Gaulle?
President of France
When was Charles de Gaulle elected?
1958
What was Charles de Gaulle keen to do?
Protect the EEC from the influence of ‘‘les Anglo-Saxons’’
What was the EFTA?
The European Free Trade Association created with Britain to compete with the EEC
What countries were part of the EFTA?
- Austria
- Denmark
- Norway
- Portugal
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Why was the EFTA unsuccessful?
It wasn’t able to match the economic growth of the EEC
When did Britain make its first application to the EEC?
1961
Why did Britain want to join the EEC?
Hoped that joining would lead to a boost in industrial production, increase industrial efficiency and stimulate economic growth
Who vetoed the UK EEC application?
France
When did Britain’s first EEC application first get rejected?
1963
Why was Britian’s first EEC application rejected?
The French were worried they would challenge their leadership and about Britains international priorities
What were the 1964-70 Foreign Policy aims?
- continue decolonisation and reduce military committments oversees
- Make the ‘Special Relationship’ stronger and closer
- Join the EEC
Who was Ian Duncan Smith?
The Prime Minister of Rhodesia
When was the Unilateral Declaration of Independence for Rhodesia?
1965
What was the Unilateral Declaration of Independence for Rhodesia?
Ian Smith was not prepared to abide by the ‘Winds of Change’ and accept majority rule so he declared complete independence from Britain
When was the HMS Tiger Meeting?
1966
What was the HMS Tiger Meeting?
Wilson and Ian Smith met and seemed to make progress however Smith went home and went back on everything that was said
What happened with Rhodesia 1967-68?
- Smith was growing in strength
- Britain had imposed oil sanctions however managed to secure oil from Mozambique
- South Africa continued to trade with Rhodesia
When was the White paper on defence withdrawals?
1967
What was the White paper on defence withdrawals from ‘‘East of Suez’’?
Britain were to remove troops from Aden, Middle East, Malaysia and signapore by the end of 1971 in order to save money
What did the Vietnam war cause with the Special relationship and why?
It caused a strain as US wanted support however Britain did not want to send troops
Why was the Vietnam war a tricky situation for Wilson?
Britian couldn’t afford Military involvement and the war was unpopular at home however Wilson needed US support for the value of sterlin and to avoid devaluation
What did Britain send to the US for the Vietnam war?
Moral support
When was the Vietnam war?
1964
What was the continuation of Polaris?
In 1967 kept nuclear detterent despite the cost and made a commitment was made to upgrade the system
Why were the Labour party split in 1964 and why?
- over the need to join the EEC
- Left - saw it as a club for capitalists which would prevent Britain from following Socialist policies
- Wilson - ambivalent - preferred to prioritise the Atlantic Alliance and Commonwealth however could see the economic benefits
What did the Cabinet agree to do in 1966?
Support a new application for the EEC - prospects were poor because of de Gaulle
What happened in January 1967 to do with the EEC?
Wilson and George Brown met de Gaulle in Paris and toured other EEC countries to gain support
What did Charles de Gaulle do in November 1967?
Vetoed Britain’s application because Britain wouldn’t agree to detach itself from the “Special Relationship”
What were the aims of foreign policy 1970-79?
- Join EEC and consolidate European position
- Heath less keen to focus on “special relationship” but Wilson and Callaghan saw it as important and crucial for holding back Communism during the Cold War
- As détente progressed, develop relationship with key Communist countries (USSR and China)
When was the 3rd application to join the EEC?
1971
What was special abou the 3rd EEC application?
Everyone knew it would be accepted because Heath was passionately pro-Europe and de Gaulle had been replaced by Pompidou
What was Pompidou’s view on Britain and the EEC?
Was convinced that the EEC needed Britian as much as Britian needed the EEC
Why was the application for the EEC the 3rd time easy?
All the detailed arrangements were in place from Heath’s previous negotiations in 1962
When did Britain join the EEC?
1973
Who helped the Conservative government win Parliament’s approval over the EEC?
79 Labour Rebels
What was the referendum on in 1975?
On British EEC membership
Why was there a referendum in 1975?
Wilson had promised it to the rebel MPs who helped him to pass the EEC vote in parliament to help them hold their party together
Why was the support stronger for staying in the EEC during the 1975 referendum?
The voters believed that Britain was an economic mess and felt needed international co-operation to survive
What did Heath not want when it came to the ‘special relationship’?
He did not want the US to use Britain as a link to Europe and said they should negotiate with the EEC as a whole - he was more support of policy in vietnam
What did Heath not want when it came to the ‘special relationship’?
He did not want the US to use Britain as a link to Europe and said they should negotiate with the EEC as a whole - he was more support of policy in vietnam
What did the Withdrawal of troops fro East Suez make the US feel?
Felt they were being left to deal with global security by themselves
When was the Yom Kippur War?
1973
What did the US want to do during the Yom Kippur war?
Wanted to use NATO bases to airlift supplies into Israel.
Britain and other European states refused persmission as they were worried that oil supplies from the Middle East would be put at risk
This strained the ‘special relationship’
When was Polaris replaced?
1979
When was Polaris replaced?
1979
What was Polaris replaced with?
Trident
What was détente?
The US and USSR held a series of meetings and agreed to limit the build-up of arms
When was the Markov affair?
1978
What was the Markov affair?
A Bulgarian defector was assasinated in London with a poisonus pellet in an umbrella - KGB were suspected of being behind it
When was the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan?
1979
What did the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan cause?
Pretty much the end of détente as the West did not want the USSR having influence in the oil-rich Middle East
What did the UK abandon support for in the 70s?
Abandonment for the support of Taiwan and the recognition of the PRC as a legitimate government
When did Heath visit the PRC?
1974
When did the US invade Grenada?
1983
Why did the US invade Grenada?
There was a communist coup
Why did the Grenada invasion effect the ‘special relationship’?
It was against Thatcher’s advice
What did Thatcher allow the US to do in Greenham common?
Use it as a base for cruise missiles
When did Thatcher allow the Americans to use Greenham common?
1983
Who else did Thatcher develop a good relationship with other than Reagan and why was it significant?
- Gorbachev
- She encouraged Reagan and Gorbachev to engage in a series of summits
What did the 1985-87 summits between Gorbachev and Reagan lead to?
The INF treaty
What was the INF treaty?
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty - it eliminated nuclear weapons that were threatening Europe
When was the INF treaty?
1987
What did Thatcher give permission for the US to use their air bases for in 1986?
To bomb Libya
What did Thatcher secure in 1984 when it came to Europe?
- Financial rebate
- demands were met
What was agreed to be built in 1986?
The Channel Tunnel
When was the Single European Act signed?
1986
What was the Single European Act?
- created the European single market
- Changed the Assembly into a European Parliament
- Mentioned future of European monetary union
- Increased role of European court
Why was the Single European Act significant?
It shaped the future of Europe
What was the Bruges group?
- group of eurosceptic MPs
- Focus opposition to any European federal state
What was Thatcher concerned about when it came to Europe in 1988 and why?
- how the Single European Act might limit influence individual member states
- opposed to federalism
What was Thatchers speech in Bruges?
- set out her vision of the future of Europe
- believed EEC trade association between sovereign states
What were the consequences of the Bruges speech?
- Infuriated European leaders
- Questioned Britains committment to European integration
- Enthused eurosceptic British Mps - created Bruges group
What caused tension within parliament during Thatcher’s premiership when it came to foreign policy?
- Thatcher’s negative shift on Europe
Who believed Thatcher shouldn’t be backtracking on her Europe views?
- John Major
- Geoffrey Howe
What was Thatcher enthusiatic about after the fall of Communism?
- The expansion of the EEC into Eastern Europe
- Could extend free trade
- Ensure communism was defeated
- Weaken the power of the European commission
How far from South America were the Falkland Islands?
300 miles east
When had Britian had a colony and naval base on the falklands since?
1833
What was going on in the Falklands by the 70s?
- they bear little strategic importance
- government was prepared to negotiate with Argentina
- Islanders wanted to remain British
What happened in 1976 within the Falklands?
Military junta took power in America
When did HMS ENdurance withdraw?
1981
What did the withdrawal of HMS Endurance mean?
There was no British military presence in the South Atlantic
When did Argentina invade the Falklands?
March 1982
Why did Argentina invade the falklands?
To claim the islands
What happened on the 2nd May 1982?
The sinking of the General Belgrano by a British Submarine
What did the sinking of General Belgrano mean?
There was no possibility of a peaceful settlement
What happened on the 4th May 1982?
An Exocet missile detroyed British HMS Sheffield
What happened on 21st May 1982?
A British Task force landed at the Falklands
What happened on the 14th June 1982?
The Argentinians surrendered
When did diplomatic relations reopen with the Argentinians?
1989
What were the foreign policy aims 1990-97?
- Build positive and contructive relationship with Europe whilst trying to unify Conservative party on the issue
- Play key roles as a leading partner in United Nations especially in helping manage the transition of Balkan states out of Cold war
When did Britain enter the Exchange Rate Mechanism?
July 1990
When was the Maastricht Treaty?
February 1992
What was the Maastricht treaty?
- EEC became the EU
- conditions were set for a single currency to come into being in 1999
- secured opt-outs for Britian on single currency and social policies such as working conditions and maximum hours
- Conservatives favoured deregulation
What was declared in 1991?
Slovenia’s independence
What did the Slovenian declaration of Independence cause?
Violent clashes between Croatia and Serbia, the two biggest republics
What did Major host in August 1992?
- a joing EU and UN conference in London
- peacekeeping force was sent to region
When was the Bosnian war?
1992-1995
What did the Bosnian war lead to?
- Srebrenica massacre
- Highlighted the ineffectiveness of European efforts
What did Britian persuade the US and NATO to do in 1995?
intervene in the balkans
What did an American air strike in the Balkans lead to?
- peace conference in Ohio
- Peace treaty was signed in Paris in December 1995
What was the Gulf war?
- Saddam Husseinsent forces sent to conquer kuwait
- American coaltion including Britian and backed by UN resolution expelled Iraqi forces in short military campaign
- Hussein remained leader of Iraq
When was the Gulf War?
1990-1991
What wer the aims of foreign policy 1997-2007?
- Uk leading player in Europe
- Strengthen Commonwealth
- Secure reform to make UN more effective
- Use diplomacy to increase respect, understaning and goodwill for Britian
- Developing long term strategy not managing crisis intervention
- Ethical content to foreign policy
- Make Britain a leading partner in a world community of nations
- ‘liberal interventionism’
What was Blair’s relationship with Europe?
- developed high personal standing
- Good relationship
What did Blair take leading role in when it came to the EU?
- negotiations for EU enlargment
- discusions about Treaty of Nice 2001
What was the Treaty of Nice?
10 countries join the EU in 2004
- poland
- Hungary
- Lithuania
- Latvia
- Estonia
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Czech Republic
- Malta
- Cyprus
Despite Blair’s good relationship by 2007 what had happened?
- inclusion of former communist states in EU changed the direction and diluted Britain’s influence
- Progress on climate change and aid in Africa was slow
- Britian unlikely to join Euro - Brown’nomic conditions that needed to be met
- Attempts to reform the workings of the EU ended in rejection of a proposed new consitution, instead the Treaty of Lisbon which was likely to be rejected by all states
- Britain’s relationship with America was controversial
What areas of conflict were there between 1997 and 2007?
- Yugoslavia
- Sierra Leone
- Afghanistan
- Iraq
When did the final pahse of the Balkan wars begin?
1999
What was the final phase of the Balkan wars?
- Serbian attacks on Kosovo
- Blair persuaded Clinton to back military action
- NATO bombing campaign was successful
What happened in Sierra Leone in 2000?
- Rebel forces in civil war threatened to take over capital
- Britain sent armed forces to evacuate foreigners but they stayed to support UN peacekeping force
- Helped to bring about end of the civil war about a year later
Why was Afghanistan an issue during Blair’s premiership?
After 9/11
What action was taken in Afghanistan in 2001?
- Britain joined US military campaign to overthrow Taliban and expel Al-Qaeda
- Supported by NATO and UN
- New democratic regime established by further economic and political developments slow
- After when attention switched to Iraq, Taliban regrouped
What happened in Iraq during Blair’s premiership?
- by 2002 increasing fear of the threat from Saddam Hussein to the West
- US believed he wasn’t cooperating with UN weapons inspectors and developing weapons of mass destruction
- Brtiain supported America in Invasion
- Hussein was overthrown
- Little was achieved
What didt he invasion lead to domestically?
Protests at home as war was illegal and there was a lack of evidence of WMDs
