The Sixties 1964-1970: Foreign affairs

Question 1

What foreign relationship was Wilson keen to maintain?

Answer 1

USA

Question 2

What was the wind of change and when was it?

Answer 2

• 1964
• Brought independence to 18 New Commonwealth states
• Meant more decolonisation and reducing Britain’s military responses, especially East of Suez

Question 3

How did Britain and America’s relationship come under strain over the Vietnam War?

Answer 3

1. US president, Johnson, wanted to gain support and approval from US allies
2. Johnson wanted Britain to send troops to Vietnam
3. Wilson resisted any direct military involvement despite his relationship with USA
4. Britain couldn’t afford military involvement, but Wilson needed the support of the US to support the value of the sterling and avoid devaluation 1
5. Annoyed the US who wanted greater backing

Question 4

What was the Labour government not committed to continuing?

Answer 4

The Conservative policy of seeking entry into the EEC

Question 5

How did many left wing individuals view the EEC?

Answer 5

A club for capitalists that would prevent Britain from following socialist policies

Question 6

What was the defence budget supposed to be below by 1970?

Answer 6

£2 billion

Question 7

What did the drastic spending cuts lead to and when were they?

Answer 7

• 1968
• Withdrawal from the East of Suez was rapidly accelerated
• Troops were to be pulled out of Malaysia and Singapore by 1971
• The development of a new high tech warplane was abandoned due to high costs