The Sixties - Foreign Affairs Flashcards
When was the end of decolonisation and how many new Commonwealth states were formed?
1964 - 18 New Commonwealth states
Why was decolonisation a good thing regarding Britain’s military?
It reduced Britain’s military responsibilities greatly, especially east of Suez
What complicated the process of decolonisation?
Still a lot of political and public opinion that still believed that Britain had an important world role
Other issues in 1964
Britain’s special relationship with the United States (attitude to America’s war with Vietnam from 1964) and its relationship with the rest of Europe (attitude to joining the EEC)
Why did Britain want to ensure that the United States stayed committed to the defence of Europe in 1964?
The Cold War was ongoing
Soviet threat was building due to the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (they had introduced anti-communist reforms and the invasion was to prevent this from happening)
Why did the relationship between Britain and America become strained?
The escalation of the Vietnam war
Basics of the Vietnam war
Began in 1955
Divided into two
- Communist North with Vietnam Cong rebels (communist guerrilla soldiers)
- Non-Communist South (supported by USA)
1964 war escalated and USA began looking from more support from allies Australia and Britain
Ended in 1975 when USA withdrew and Viet Cong took over whole country
How did the Vietnam war cause relations between Britain and the USA to become strained?
In 1964 the war escalated and the USA wanted support from its allies
- Australia sent troops to Vietnam
- Britain didn’t provide military support but gave moral support
Reasons for Britain not supplying troops for the Vietnam war
Wanted to maintain Atlantic Alliance but the war was unpopular in Britain sp he risked losing political support
Britain couldn’t afford military involvement due to economic reasons but Wilson needed support from USA to support the value of sterling to avoid devaluation
Response to Labour not supplying troops
Policy annoyed USA who wanted greater backing
Policy annoyed a number of Labour MPs and supporters who wanted the Labour government to condemn the USA
Those against joining the EEC
Hugh Gaitskell (Conservative)
Michael Foot (Labour Left)
Barbara Castle (Labour Left)
Trade unions
Those for joining the EEC
Roy Jenkins (Conservative)
George Brown (Conservative) - foreign secretary 1966
Labour gov attitude to joining the EEC
Labour gov in power in 1964, not very committed to continuing the Conservative policy of seeking entry into the EEC
Harold Wilson preferred the Atlantic Alliance and stronger links with the Commonwealth but could also see strengths/economic reasons for joining
By 1966, Wilson more convinced and by October, Wilson’s cabinet had agreed to a new application for the EEC
Prospects for Britain joining the EEC
Not good since:
- Application in danger of seeming half-hearted due to doubts within Labour
- de Gaulle still President of France
Since prospects were poor, there was little Labour Left opposition due to how unlikely it was for Britain to succeed
Outcome of 1966 application to join EEC
Wilson and George Brown met de Gaulle in Paris in Jan 1967 and toured 5 EEC countries to gain support
June 1967, Wilson went back to Paris again and de Gaulle demanded that he break off the special relationship with the USA
Wilson wouldn’t do this and so de Gaulle used his veto and Britain’s application was rejected (second time de Gaulle vetoed)
