How close was the relationship between Britain and the US? Flashcards
What did the British regard themselves as?
The most important ally of the US
Why was their relationship close?
They had strong ties of language, culture, trade, and history
Churchill had claimed a special relationship
Fought alongside each other in WW2
Cooperated to defeat the Berlin blockade
How was their relationship reinforced?
By membership of NATO and cooperation over nuclear weapons and intelligence during the Cold War
What factors reduced the closeness of the alliance?
The decline in Britain’s economic power meant it could offer limited military assistance to the USA
The USA had security concerns outside Europe, in areas where Britain could offer only limited assistance
What were Anglo-American relations like in the Korean War?
British forces were fighting alongside America and relations were close
Britain was clearly subordinated to US decision making
What did the Suez Crisis in 1956 demonstrate?
That Britain could no longer act independently of, and certainly not in opposition to, the United States
What did the crisis do to relations?
Little permanent damage because Macmillan exploited his wartime friendship with Eisenhower and made it clear that the US alliance was central to Britain’s foreign policy
What did America find itself doing after the crisis?
Taking over Britain’s role as guardian of Western interests in the Middle East
What happened to Britain during the 1960s and 1970s and what did this mean for the relationship?
Its standing as a world power was reduced by economic difficulties and by the rapid decolonisation of its empire
The importance and value of Britain to America diminished but relations remained mostly harmonious
What did Kennedy regard Macmillan as and what did he do?
A political father figure
Consulted him for advice during the 1961 Berlin crisis and the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, but Britain didn’t play a role in either
What did Wilson try to do and what was the result?
Broker peace in Vietnam, but the failure of his attempt illustrated Britain’s lack of influence
Irritated LBJ who was disappointed that British troops weren’t fighting in Vietnam
What was the relationship like during the premiership of Heath and why?
Distinctly cool
Heath believed that Britain’s future lay with Europe
What restored warmer relations?
The personal chemistry between James Callaghan and Jimmy Carter
What did Thatcher and Reagan agree on?
Opposing UN sanctions against the apartheid regime in South Africa
What was vital to Britain’s victory in the Falklands?
US logistical and intelligence assistance
What did Thatcher allow?
The US to use British-based F111s to bomb Libya in retaliation for terrorist actions against American targets
What was Thatcher dismayed by and what did she dislike?
Reagan’s willingness to bargain away the nuclear deterrent in his talks with Gorbachev
Reagan’s Strategic Defence Initiative idea
What happened in 1983?
The US invaded Grenada despite Thatcher advising Reagan against the invasion because it was a member of the Commonwealth
What were the areas of disagreement an indication of and why?
Britain’s reduced status in Washington
Thatcher’s objections on all three issues were ignored
What demonstrated good relations in the 1990s?
Britain and the US cooperated strongly in the First Gulf War and the conflict in the Balkans in 1995
What happened after initial disagreements?
Europe cooperated with the US in a bombing campaign against the Serbian population in Bosnia in retaliation for the 1995 massacre of Muslim people in the Srebrenica refugee camp
What did the US and Europe cooperate in doing?
Bringing about the Dayton Peace Accords, which ended the conflict
What was the state of relations by the end of the century?
Britain was one among many junior allies
Washington valued British diplomatic and military support, but Britain exercised little influence over American decision-making
Britain still relied on the USA to support its nuclear deterrent
Exercised its influence in the UNSC in cooperation with America
