Foreign Relations Flashcards
Influence of WW2 on Britains foreign policy
Highlighted Britains limits in its ability to control its empire
Britain faced bankruptcy and would have to withdraw from various countries
The joining of NATO in 1949 sided Britain with America
4 main reasons why Britain didn’t initially want to join the EEC in 1957
Wanted to maintain ‘special relationship’ with the US.
Few politicians wanted to take up the leadership role on offer in Europe.
Britain felt they were a world power, not just a European power.
Britains pride - Germany and France had been defeated in WW2, Britain had won.
What was EFTA?
Created in 1960 by Britain along with Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland
Created a free trade area in Europe, although each member could negotiate separately with non-EFTA members.
Moderately successful - didn’t match the growth of the EEC
Why did Britain change their mind with an EEC application in 1961?
Economic:
- Boost industrial production for a large-scale export market
- increase industrial efficiency with growing competition
- Stimulate economic growth alongside the rapid expansion and success the EEC has already had.
- US were keen, seeing Britain as a vital link between Europe and the US
What were the complexities over Britains EEC application?
They wanted to remain in trade with the commonwealth.
They wanted to keep their relationship with the US.
They found it difficult to conform to policies like the Common Agricultural Policy.
What happened to the EEC application in 1963?
Vetoed by French president Charles De Gaulle after months of negotiating by Edward Heath.
Reasons for De Gaulles veto
Mainly Britains special privileges in terms of their application
Animosity dating back to WW2
“ Bound by her trade, her markets, her supplies, to countries that are very diverse and often far away.”
Britains overall stance on the two superpowers
Sided with the US after WW2 to oppose the expansion of communism from the USSR
Founding member of NATO - a defence policy for western countries.
Supported the US in Korea.
What was the Cuban Missile Crisis and how did it effect Britains relations with the USSR?
Cuba requested missiles stationed there from the USSR, the US feared this and set a blockade to prevent Soviet ships reaching Cuba.
Tense negotiations saw the Soviets withdraw and the US agree to withdraw weapons from Turkey and Italy.
Provided greater tension between Britain and the USSR, being supportive of the US
How did the Burgess and Maclean affair strain relations with the US?
These were two highly placed British intelligence officers that defected to the Soviet Union in 1951.
The revelation British spies had been leaking info to Moscow worried the US, who became more reluctant in sharing intelligence secrets with Britain.
What did Ernest Bevin say about the possession of a nuclear deterrent in 1946?
“ I don’t want any other foreign secretary of this country to be talked to or act by a secretary of state in the United States. We’ve got to have this thing over here whatever it costs. We’ve got to have the bloody Union Jack on top of it.”
What was Britains position as a nuclear power?
Third country in the world to develop nuclear weapons behind the US and USSR.
First tested the atomic bomb in 1952.
Tested the ‘H’ bomb in 1957, 4 years after the US and USSR.
How Britain still reliant on the US to become a nuclear power?
Tested their first H bomb with American technical assistance.
December 1962 Macmillan persuaded Kennedy to provide Polaris missiles in British submarines, economic struggle - reliant on US
1958 mutual defence agreement with the US, they would share nuclear technology with Britain, dependant again on the Us.
Formation and growth of the CND
Formed in 1958 as a campaign to reject nuclear weapons.
backed by intellectuals and middle class protestors.
Powerful image strengthened with 8000 people protesting at the weapons research base in Aldermaston in 1958.
Many labour left wingers backed this powerful image of ‘unilateralism’
Korean war overview
Two separate governments were set up in Korea after WW2, in the north supported by the USSR and in the south supported by the US.
In 1950, forces from the north invaded the south, the UN condemned this action and sent forces to combat the invasion.
Britain sent over 90,000 soldiers, second most behind the US.
Results of the Korean War
Ceasefire agreed in 1953
Over 1000 British troops died
Korea split into a communist North and non-communist south.
What did the Korean War show
The Cold War was a global war
Britain was willing to play a major role in world affairs, despite economic constraints
The US was still the greater power than Britain.
What was the Suez Canal?
The main trade route from the Mediterranean to the Indian ocean and beyond Asia.
Vital route for oil shipments, 80% of Western Europe’s oil imports passed through the canal.
What happened in July 1956?
Colonel Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal company to provide finance for the Aswan Dam, that the US and Britain had pulled out of funding for.
Reaction to Nassers nationalisation
Eden saw Nasser as ‘an evil dictator who could not be allowed to get away with unprovoked aggression.’
Bi-partisan hostility.
Plan discussed with France and Israel over suez
Israeli forces would invade Egypt, British and French forces would then intervene as ‘peacemakers.’
They would then seize control of the Suez Canal Zone.
The details of this plan were concealed from parliament and the US.
Reaction to the invasion of suez
A storm of political protest in Britain
The Labour Party opposed the conflict
Condemned by the US who put Britain under financial pressure
Long term consequences of the suez crisis
Challenged Britains reputation as a force for good
Demonstrated Britains reliance on the US
Highlighted Britains weak economic position
There’s doubt on Britains status as a world power
4 main reasons for the Britains ‘retreat from empire’
Independence movements in the occupied countries
Financial concerns
International pressure from countries like the US
Impact of Suez exposing Britains dependence on the US.
What did Macmillans ‘wind of change’ speech acknowledge?
Called for decolonisation and recognition of independence movements.
He also sought these countries to accept majority rule.
Countries like South Africa preferred to follow minority rule and broke all ties with Britain in 1961.
What did the Mau Mau rebellion demonstrate?
The problems with Britains colonial policies
Britains incapability of morally handling rebellion.
Which African countries were granted independence in the wake of Suez?
Ghana in 1957 Nigeria and Cyprus in 1960 Tanganyika and Sierra Leone in 1961 Uganda in 1962 Kenya in 1963
Overview of the decolonisation policy
Successful and swift
Completed with less violence than countries like Belgium and Portugal
By 1964 the transition from Empire to Commonwealth highlighted significant achievement
