How successfully did Britain respond to international crises? Flashcards
What happened in June 1950 and what was the response?
North Korea launched a full-scale invasion of South Korea
The US organised a coalition of 16 countries to repel the invasion
What happened in September?
A US landing behind North Korean lines forced the communists to retreat and America then launched an invasion of the North
What was the result and what happened in July 1953?
China sent huge forces into Korea and pushed the US-led forces back to the 38th parallel
The war then became stalemate and an armistice was signed in July 1953
Why did Britain join the UN force in Korea?
Labour believed that communist aggression needed to be challenged to prevent another world war
Participation would demonstrate to the Americans that Britain was one of the two world powers
Not joining might have imperiled the US commitment to the defence of Europe and NATO
What was the Korean War?
The first major challenge to the credibility of the UN of which Britain was a founding member
What had Britain shown and why was the war a success?
It would take part in defending independent states, supporting the UN, and working alongside the US
The North Korean invasion was defeated and South Korea protected
Why was British involvement less successful/important?
Political and strategic control of the war remained in American hands
Britain influenced the fateful decision in September 1950 to invade the North but the majority of the troops involved were American
What were British and Commonwealth forces dwarfed by?
The American commitment: Britain had lost 700 men while America had lost nearly 34,000
What had Churchill received and what was the result?
A promise that the government would be consulted before America considered using the bomb
This promise lapsed
What were the advantages of British participation?
Britain had demonstrated its loyalty to the USA
Britain had helped to check communist aggression and establish the UN as an effective agency
NATO established a permanent military bureaucracy that tied the USA to the defence of Europe
What were the disadvantages?
The increased expenditure added to the difficulties of Britain’s economy, which was still struggling to recover from the impact of WW2
What was the Suez Canal and what had been the case since 1875?
A vital sea route by which Middle Eastern oil was transported to Europe and British forces reached their Far Eastern bases
The British government had been the majority shareholder in the company running it
What happened in 1952 and 1954?
1952: The pro-British King of Egypt was overthrown by military officers
1954: Nasser proclaimed himself president of Egypt
What did Nasser do?
Immediately negotiated the withdrawal of British troops from their remaining base in the zone around the Suez Canal, determined to remove British influence
What was Nasser prepared to do?
Buy arms and accept aid from the USSR
What happened in December 1955 and what was the response?
The American and British governments agreed to lend Egypt the money to build a large dam designed to help modernise its economy
Nasser was reluctant to follow pro-western policies
What happened in mid-July 1956 and what was the response?
The offer of the loan was withdrawn
Nasser took control of the Anglo-French company that ran the Suez Canal
America sponsored diplomatic manoeuvres to try to solve the crisis peacefully but without success
What did Eden believe?
It was the first step in a plan to establish Egyptian domination of the Middle East
Nasser would allow the USSR to extend its influence in the region
Nasser’s action amounted to having ‘his thumb on our windpipe’ because nearly a third of the ships using the canal were British
What had the US accepted?
That continued British influence in the Middle East was essential to preventing the area falling under Soviet control
What did Eden conclude and what did he hope to use the crisis for?
That Nasser had to be challenged by force if necessary
Overthrowing Nasser’s regime
What was the attitude of France?
France disliked Nasser because he was assisting the rebels fighting to end French colonial rule in Algeria
What happened in late October and early November?
French and British troops, in collusion with Israel, attacked Egypt
