Foreign Relations Flashcards
What was the Atlantic alliance
A term used to refer to NATO- North Atlantic treaty organisation. Made up of 12 counties creating a collective defence policy
What is the EEC
1950 (European economic community)
Proposals for a coal and steel community that would integrate French and German heavy industry in order to promote rapid economic growth and bind together enemies such as France and Germany to eliminate future danger between them.
Why was Britain not join the EEC straight away
- very few politicians and journalists in favour of Britain taking up the leadership role in Europe that was offered
- the left was suspicious of the free market principles behind the common market
- the right tended to regard the preservation of traditional trade links with Australia, Canada as far more important than those with Europe
- Germany was an enemy from world war 1. And France had been overrun, Britain had won the war and didn’t feel the need to join.
- assumption that Britain was still a great world power
- wanted to remain its special relationship with the United States
When did Britain submit an application to the EEC and why?
Macmillan 1961
- boost industrial production for a large scale export market
- increase industrial efficiency with greater competition
- stimulate economic growth with the rapid economic expansion seen in the EEC
Why may britians application to the EEC have been rejected
- views of britians imperial power was shaken by the suez crisis and by the accelerating pace of decolonisation in Africa.
- Britain still wanted to keep its position in the common wealth and the United States- making discussion with the EEC complex.
Who is Edward health
The conservative MP from 1950-2001
Leader of the conservative from 1965-75
prime minister from 70-74 but lost leadership to Margaret thatcher.
Pro European
How did the Second World War effect foreign relations
Left Britain bad,et damaged with massive debts and in the shadows of the new military superpowers like the United States. Britain faces bankruptcy and had to withdraw from the commitments to Greece,Turkey and Palestine.
In the same year independence was granted to India and Pakistan the state of britians “retreat from the empire”
Why did Britain have such a good relationship with America
- close allies through the Cold War
- supported the United States in Korea
- worked with he United States to sustain West Berlin
- Macmillan and JF Kennedy had a good personal relationship and Kennedy kept him informed with the events of the Cuban missile crisis. Britain were bystanders during the crisis
Give 3 examples of when Britians relationship with America was put under strain
- the burgess and Maclean affair ( guy burgess and Donald Maclean were highly placed officers in British intelligence. They defected the Soviet Union in 1951. For years after there edge concerns about finding the third man who had tipped em off. The revelation that British spies had been leaking vital secrets to Moscow deeply worried the Americans, who came less ready to share intelligence secrets with Britain
- britians relationship with the EEC
- suez crisis
How did America help Britain
- helped with with the costs of britians independent nuclear deterrent
- shared nuclear technology with Britain under the mutual defence agreement.
When was the Korean War
Why did it happen
What did it show about foreign relations
1950-53
Korea was governed by the Soviet Union in the north and the United stated in the south. Both claiming to be legitimate. In 1950 the North Korea supported by the Soviet Union and China invaded the south. The United Kingdom sent in UN forces. Over 20 countries supplied troops. Britain sent o et 90,000 soldiers the second most after the United States.
It was agreed that Korea would be split between communist North and a non communist South.
The Korea war showed how Britain’s willingness to continue to play a major role in world affairs despite economic constraints. It made it clear that the United States was a great power
Why did he sues crisis 1956 start
What happened
How was Britain questioned
The Suez Canal was the mail artery connecting trade from from the Mediterranean through to the India oceans and beyond. It was a vital route for oil ships and over 80 percent of Western European oil imports passed through the Canal.
Egypt’s new independence was worrying. The USA and Great Britain planned to invest into the Aswan dam but pulled out in 56 as a result of this Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal to provide fiancé needed for the Aswan dam.
Eden saw the leader of Egypt ‘ nasser’ as an evil dictator who could not be allowed to get away with unprovoked aggression.
Britain France and Israel met for a secret meeting. And agreed that Israel would invade Egypt and France and Britain would then intervene and hope to take control of the Suez Canal Zone as they thought Egypt would reward them with this as a thank you for intervening.
It was kept concealed from parliament and the Americans.
This did not go as smoothly as planned. America opposed the action and Britain were not strong enough to stand up to American pressure. Caused a serious financial crisis.
Macmillan who had been a supported of the invasion quickly realised it was essential to pull out and this meaning accepting failure and humiliation. Edens reputation was damaged
It was questioned how good Britain was for good in the world. It highlighted the inability of Britain to act without the support of he US
What is an example of Britain’s retreat from the empire
47- britian’s withdrawal from India as they could not deal with the pressures of independence movements in Malaya Kenya and Cyprus
What was the Mua Mua rebellion
In Kenya
Several violent nationalist uprisings against British colonial rules after 1945
Leader of the revolt Kenyatta was imprisioned but later emerged as president of an independent Kenya.
What did the transition from empire to common wealth seem
An achievement
