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”