The Affluent Society 1951-1964: Foreign relations

Question 1

What 2 superpowers was the world dominated by in 1951?

Answer 1

USA and USSR

Question 2

When did Britain 1st apply to be in the EEC?

Answer 2

1961

Question 3

When did Britain make its 1st atomic bomb test?

Answer 3

1952- the 3rd country to develop such capability after the USA and USSR

Question 4

What had Britain developed by 1957 and what did it lead to in 1958?

Answer 4

1957- developed the more powerful H bomb
1958- led to the founding of the CND

Question 5

What were the major conflicts of the 1950’s that Britain was involved in?

Answer 5

1. The Korean War (1950-1953)
2. Suez Crisis (1956)

Question 6

When was the mutual defence agreement with the USA and what was it?

Answer 6

• 1958
• USA had agreed to share nuclear technology with Britain

Question 7

When did Britain gain its independence from Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya?

Answer 7

Ghana- 1957
Nigeria- 1958
Kenya- 1963

Question 8

What did Britain take the lead in in 1959?

Answer 8

The formation of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

Question 9

What did Britain hope joining the EEC in 1961 would provide them with?

Answer 9

1. A boost in industrial production for a large scale export market
2. An increase in industrial efficiency with greater competition
3. The stimulation of economic growth with the rapid expansion already seen in the EEC

Question 10

What made negotiations with the EEC extremely difficult for Britain?

Answer 10

Britain wanted to keep its position in 2 other areas of world affairs: The Commonwealth and the USA

Question 11

How did France stop Britain from joining the EEC?

Answer 11

1. Special exemptions for Britain’s commonwealth partners had to be sought (e.g. exports from New Zealand which would’ve been blocked by EEC rules)
2. This took many months of hard bargaining by Macmillan and Heath
3. The negotiations had reached a successful conclusion by 1963
4. However, at the last minute, French president Charles de Gaulle used France’s right of a veto and blocked Britain’s application
5. Caused bad relations between France and Britain

Question 12

What did the CND want?

Answer 12

Britain to reject nuclear weapons and instead follow a policy of nuclear disarmament

Question 13

How did the Suez Crisis damage Britain’s foreign relations?

Answer 13

1. USA opposed Britain’s actions, pushing Britain into a serious financial crisis in 1956 after not being strong enough stand up to American pressure
2. USA was livid with the UK, threatening to kick them out of NATO and sell off their sterling bonds (this would crash the British economy)

Question 14

What did the Suez Crisis reveal about Britain?

Answer 14

Their inability to act without the support of the USA