Heath - foreign policy Flashcards
What were the advantages of EEC membership?
Gained access to European markets, benefited from the final end of wartime antagonisms, stood a better chance of attracting global business, British workers had the right to work in other EEC countries, greater opportunity of movement for British people within Europe.
When did Britian join the EEC?
1973
What was Britain’s bargaining position like?
Weak - sought membership because it could not survive economically on its own. Had no say in the setting up of the EEC and the existing members were not going to allow Britain as a late-comer to change the workings of the system they had created.
How did EEC membership impact Britain’s relations with the Commonwealth?
Britain accepted that Commonwealth food and goods would no longer enter Britain on preferential terms. Britain was no longer able to buy cheap food from the Commonwealth.
What were Britain’s contribution to the EEC budget?
Had to make higher contributions to the EEC budget than it received in grants from Europe.
When was Internment?
August 1971
What was internment?
The arresting of suspected troublemakers and holding them without trial - an attempt to help contain the violence.
What was the impact of internment?
A feeling that the Catholics were being persecuted
Strained relations between the Irish British governments
Breaking of the cross-party understanding in the House of Commons over Norther Ireland, since many Labour MPs opposed internment and called for British troops to be withdrawn.
When was the Sunningdale Agreement and what did it do?
1973, shared control of Norther Ireland regional governments between both catholic and protestant communities, which reduced catholic frustration.
How was the Sunningdale Agreement successful?
Was able to ease tension between the governments of London and Dublin
How was the Sunningdale Agreement unsuccessful?
Protestant community saw the Sunningdale agreement as a sell out of unionist Ireland.
When was Bloody Sunday and what happened?
January 1972 - the British troops sent to Northern Ireland shot and killed fourteen demonstrators.
What and when was the Widgery Report?
May 1972, protected the actions of the British troops, saying that shots had been fired at the soldiers before they started the firing that led to the casualties.
What impact did the Widgery report have on the catholic population?
Convinced the Catholic population that Heath’s government was hostile, increased the tensions between the London and Dublin governments.
What impact did the Widgery report have on the IRA?
The gap between the IRA and the non-violent Social Democratic Labour Party widened.
