Topic 4: Britain's Position in the World (1951-1997)

Question 1

In what ways did Britain handle the Korean War successfully? (4)

Answer 1

1. Proved the UN as a credible agency.
2. South Korea was defended.
3. Showed loyalty to the USA.
4. NATO established permanent military bureaucracy after the war.

Question 2

In what ways did Britain fail to handle the Korean War successfully? (3)

Answer 2

1. Political/strategic control of war held mostly by the USA.
2. Influenced fateful decision to invade North Korea (September 1950).
3. Created economic difficulties for already struggling post-war Britain.

Question 3

In what ways did Britain fail to handle the Suez Crisis successfully? (4)

Answer 3

1. Dishonest conspiracy with France and Israel.
2. Damaged relations with USA.
3. Use of force meant USA couldn’t criticise actions of USSR against Hungarian Uprising.
4. Went against UN.

Question 4

In what ways did Britain handle the Falklands War successfully? (4)

Answer 4

1. Showed Britain to still be a great power.
2. Support of USA.
3. Support of UN.
4. Thatcher kept nerve in face of losses.

Question 5

How did the USA provide support for Britain in the Falklands conflict? (3)

Answer 5

1. Weapons.
2. Military intelligences.
3. Use of US base Ascension Island.

Question 6

In what ways did Britain fail to handle the Falklands War successfully? (4)

Answer 6

1. Costly enterprise of little significance.
2. Issue of Falklands sovereignty remained.
3. Luck in military campaign.
4. Sinking of Argentinian warship ‘General Belgrano’.

Question 7

Why was the sinking of ‘General Belgrano’ so controversial?

Answer 7

The ship was outside of the exclusion zone and sailing away from the Falklands at the time. 360 men killed.

Question 8

In what ways did Britain handle the invasion of Kuwait successfully? (3)

Answer 8

1. Kuwait was successfully liberated from Iraq/Hussein.
2. ‘Safe haven’ set up to protect Iraqi Kurds.
3. Strengthened British-US relations.

Question 9

In what ways did Britain fail to handle the invasion of Kuwait successfully? (3)

Answer 9

1. Middle East viewed as Western imperialism.
2. Hussein remained a problem. Britain and US invaded again 2003.
3. Hussein took revenge on domestic enemies e.g. Iraqi Kurds.

Question 10

What are the main arguments in favour of Britain’s nuclear deterrent? (4)

Answer 10

1. Maintains Britain’s great power status.
2. Makes Britain and the world safer.
3. Contributes to defence of Western Europe.
4. (Pre-NATO, 1949) Britain feared the USA may not protect Britain/Europe from Soviet Attack.

Question 11

What are the main arguments against Britain’s nuclear deterrent? (4)

Answer 11

1. High maintenance costs could be invested elsewhere.
2. Virtually irrelevant compared to arsenals of USA/Russia.
3. Contributed to immoral threat to millions of lives worldwide.
4. Dependent on American Polaris missiles to carry British warheads.

Question 12

Describe attitudes in the 1950s and early 1960s towards the nuclear deterrent.

Answer 12

A time of high nuclear threat.

FOR: Needed to be strong to prevent Soviet aggression.

AGAINST: Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) formed in 1958, annual protest marches.
1962: Agreement with USA to use Polaris - not really “independent”.

Question 13

Describe attitudes in the late 1960s and 1970s towards the nuclear deterrent.

Answer 13

A time of international nuclear treaties.

FOR: Britain was a world power with some influence over the treaties of 1963 and 1968.

AGAINST: Nuclear arsenals of USA and USSR continued to grow and dwarf Britain’s.
Britain had no real influence on the SALT treaties of 1972 and 1979.

Question 14

Describe attitudes in the 1980s towards the nuclear deterrent.

Answer 14

A time of high nuclear tension.

FOR: Thatcher advises Reagan not to reduce arsenal.
1979-1987: NATO missiles stationed at British airbases in response to Soviet threat.

AGAINST: Build up of missiles threatened war between USA and USSR.
Women camped outside airbase at Greenham Common in protest. Lasted 19 years.

Question 15

Describe attitudes in the 1990s towards the nuclear deterrent.

Answer 15

A time of decreasing nuclear tension.

AGAINST: USSR collapsed in 1991.

Expensive renewal costs.

Russia and USA still far more powerful.

Question 16

Describe the nature of Britain’s relationship with Russia 1945-53.

Answer 16

Berlin Blockade (1948-1949) led to very poor relations.

Cold War tension replaced wartime alliance.

Fear of WW3.

Churchill criticised USSR as sinister and secretive behind the “iron curtain”.

Question 17

In what ways were Anglo-Russian relations positive, 1953-1960? (4)

Answer 17

1. Stalin’s death in 1953 and replacement with Khrushchev advocating “peaceful coexistence”.
2. 1955: British and Russian navies exchanged goodwill visits.
3. 1956: Khrushchev visits Britain.
4. 1959: Macmillan visits Moscow.

Question 18

In what ways were Anglo-Russian relations negative, 1953-1960? (3)

Answer 18

1. Britain encouraged signs of demands within the Soviet Empire for independence e.g. Hungary.
2. Each accused the other of imperialism.
3. USSR budded for support of African/Asian nations emerging from colonial rule e.g. Nasser accepted Soviet aid.

Question 19

In what ways were Anglo-Russian relations negative during the 1960s and 70s? (3)

Answer 19

1. Concerns over Soviet forces during 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
2. Use of espionage. 1971: Britain expelled 105 Soviet diplomats on suspicions of spying.
3. Each regarded the other as a threat.

Question 20

In what ways were Anglo-Russian relations positive during the 1980s? (2)

Answer 20

1. Thatcher declared Gorbachev as someone whom she “could do business with”.
2. Thatcher visited Moscow in 1984 to calm concerns over the USA.

Question 21

In what ways were Anglo-Russian relations negative during the 1980s? (2)

Answer 21

1. Thatcher was strongly anti-communist. Called the “Iron Lady” by Soviet media.
2. Thatcher advised USA against destroying their nuclear arsenal.

Question 22

In what ways were Anglo-Russian relations positive during the 1990s? (3)

Answer 22

1. Supported Yeltsin’s reforms against extremists.
2. 1992: Both signed trade and military agreements.
3. Britain helped Russia join G8 group of leading industrial nations.

Question 23

In what ways were Anglo-American relations positive during the Korean War? (2)

Answer 23

1. Britain fought alongside US and UN forces.

2. President Truman promised to consult Attlee before using nuclear weapons.

Question 24

In what ways were Anglo-America relations negative during the Korean War? (2)

Answer 24

1. Limited scale of British troop action.

2. British troops subordinate to American decisions (e.g. General MacArthur).

Question 25

How did the Suez Crisis damage Anglo-American relations?

Answer 25

President Eisenhower was furious that Britain had ignored his wishes, and swore down the phone at Eden. He refused to give Britain financial aid until troops were withdrawn. Britain had to use their veto at the UN against US proposal of trade sanctions against them.

Question 26

What were relations like between Macmillan and JFK?

Answer 26

JFK saw Macmillan as a political father figure, and consulted him for advice when the Berlin Wall was built, 1961,and during the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962.

Question 27

What was the impact of the Vietnam War upon Anglo-American relations?

Answer 27

President Johnson was irritated by Wilson’s attempts to broker peace in the conflict and refusal to send troops to Vietnam.

Question 28

In what ways were Anglo-American relations positive in the 1970s?

Answer 28

The special relationship was somewhat restored by the personal relationship between James Callaghan and Jimmy Carter.

Question 29

In what ways were Anglo-American relations negative in the 1970s?

Answer 29

Edward Heath was strongly pro Europe and saw the future of Britain as being with Europe, and did not seek to maintain the special relationship.

Question 30

In what ways were Anglo-American relations positive in the 1980s? (4)

Answer 30

1. Reagan and Thatcher shared a warm friendship.
2. Reagan and Thatcher opposed UN sanctions against white supremacist apartheid regime in South Africa.
3. USA assisted in Falklands victory.
4. Thatcher allows USA to use British based F111 aircraft to bomb Libya.

Question 31

In what ways were Anglo-American relations negative in the 1980s? (3)

Answer 31

Thatcher and Reagan disagreed over three main areas of foreign policy:

1. Thatcher opposed Reagan reducing US nuclear arsenal.
2. Thatcher opposed US invasion of Grenada in 1983 to overthrow Communist regime.
3. Thatcher opposed the Strategic Defence Initiative, believing mutually assured destruction made the world a safer place.

Question 32

In what ways were Anglo-American relations positive in the 1990s? (2)

Answer 32

1. Britain and the US closely co-operated against Iraq during the First Gulf War. Britain made the third largest contribution to the international task force.
2. Britain and other European NATO powers co-operated with USA in bombing Bosnian Serbs in the Balkans against their ethnic cleansing attacks.

Question 33

How did Britain play an important role in the establishment of the UN, 1945? (2)

Answer 33

1. Britain became one of the five permanent members of the security council, meaning they had a veto power.
2. Strong involvement in drawing up the UN charter.

Question 34

What were the five main principles of the UN charter?

Answer 34

1. Maintenance of international peace and security.
2. Prevention of aggression.
3. Addressing economic, social and cultural problems.
4. Peaceful settlement of international disputes.
5. Promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

Question 35

Why was UN backing an important factor for governments?

Answer 35

Global media coverage put pressure upon governments to comply with the UN charter in order to gain the support of other nations as well as domestic opinion.

Question 36

What was Britain heavily criticised for by the UN?

Answer 36

The UN criticised Britain for retaining its colonial empire, viewing it as a violation of the UN’s commitment to human rights and freedom for people of all races.

Question 37

How did Britain tend to use its veto?

Answer 37

Britain used its veto power very sparingly, but almost always when policy left them open to charges of imperialism.

Question 38

Name three times Britain used their veto in order to defend themselves against charges of imperialism.

Answer 38

1. Used with France over Suez.
2. 1963-1973: Used six times upon resolutions regarding Rhodesia.
3. 1986: Used against resolution criticising the bombing of Libya.

Question 39

In what ways did Britain’s actions in Suez NOT comply with the UN charter? (4)

Answer 39

1. UN expressed its disapproval.
2. Nasser’s actions were not illegal.
3. Use of force.
4. Deceitful collaboration.

Question 40

In what ways did Britain’s actions in South Africa NOT comply with the UN charter? (3)

Answer 40

1. Appeared to be supporting white minority rule.
2. Thatcher did not impose economic sanctions upon the apartheid regime, selling arms to South Africa in the seventies and eighties.
3. Vetoed resolutions against white minority rule.

Question 41

In what way did Britain’s actions in South Africa comply with the UN charter?

Answer 41

Harold Wilson attempted to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Ian Smith (Rhodesia).

Question 42

In what way did Britain’s actions in Malaya NOT comply with the UN charter?

Answer 42

40,000 British/Commonwealth troops were sent to crush Communist insurrection.

Question 43

In what way did Britain’s actions in Malaya comply with the UN charter?

Answer 43

Independence was granted in 1957. The government was headed by moderate, conservative Malays.

Question 44

In what way did Britain’s actions in Korea NOT comply with the UN charter?

Answer 44

700 British were killed and 34,000 Americans.

Question 45

In what way did Britain’s actions in Korea comply with the UN charter?

Answer 45

Communist aggression was prevented and democracy defended.

Question 46

In what way did Britain’s actions in the Falklands comply with the UN charter?

Answer 46

Britain’s actions were justified by gaining UN backing.

Question 47

In what ways did Britain’s actions in the Falklands NOT comply with the UN charter? (2)

Answer 47

1. Thatcher did not explore peaceful resolutions.

2. Sinking of ‘General Belgrano’ outside of exclusion zone.

Question 48

In what ways did Britain’s actions in Cyprus NOT comply with the UN charter? (2)

Answer 48

1. Tensions between Turkish and Greek groups continued after independence.
2. Britain sent 25,000 troops to combat the Greek terror campaign.

Question 49

What was the Schumann Plan, 1950?

Answer 49

The Schumann Plan proposed greater integration of French and German heavy industry.

Question 50

What were the attitudes of Britain and the USA towards the Schumann Plan and the EEC?

Answer 50

Britain and the USA encouraged these for the security of Europe.

Question 51

What were the conferences leading up to the formation of the European Economic Community (EEC)?

Answer 51

The 1955 Messina Conference (attended by a British delegate) and 1957 Treaty of Rome.

Question 52

What were the initial reasons for British opposition to Europe? (4)

Answer 52

1. Preservation of Commonwealth trade links.
2. Preservation of the ‘special relationship’ with the USA.
3. Opposition to heavy leadership role of Europe.
4. Assumption that Britain was still a great world power.

Question 53

What was established in competition with the EEC?

Answer 53

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), 1960. Created a free trade area, but members were free to negotiate with non-EFTA nations on an individual basis.

Question 54

How successful was EFTA in comparison to the EEC?

Answer 54

EFTA was unable to match the level of economic growth achieved by the EEC.

Question 55

Why did Britain change their minds in regards to EEC entry under Macmillan? (5)

Answer 55

1. Increasing efficiency through increased competition.
2. Boost production.
3. Stimulate economic growth.
4. USA wanted a strategic link to Europe during the Cold War.
5. Internal power had been shaken by Suez and decolonisation.

Question 56

Why was it difficult for Britain to join the EEC in 1961? (3)

Answer 56

1. The EEC had already developed complex economic structures e.g. Common Agricultural Policy.
2. French president Charles de Gaulle highly suspicious of “les anglo-saxons”. Avoided British/American influence.
3. Britain wanted to be granted some exceptions for Commonwealth trade partners.

Question 57

When did Britain join the EEC?

Answer 57

1st January 1973 under Edward Heath.

Question 58

What were the positive outcomes of Britain joining the EEC? (4)

Answer 58

1. Given development grants.
2. Increased foreign business.
3. Right to work in other EEC countries.
4. Access to European markets.

Question 59

What were the negative outcomes of Britain joining the EEC? (3)

Answer 59

1. No longer able to buy cheap food from the Commonwealth.
2. Had to impose VAT upon goods.
3. Being classed as an “advanced industrial economy”, Britain had to make large contributions to EEC budget.

Question 60

Why did Britain grant independence to its colonies 1957-1964? (4)

Answer 60

1. Colonial nationalism.
2. Drain on the economy - owed India £1200mn by the end of WW2.
3. WW2 fought upon ideas of opposing dictatorship.
4. USA was opposed to the empire.

Question 61

In what ways was decolonisation successful? (4)

Answer 61

1. Commonwealth was respected for cultural and economic exchange and promoting democracy.
2. South Africa rejoined Commonwealth under Mandela in 1994, proving it to be a viable institution.
3. Singapore Declaration (1971) condemned racial prejudice and promised commitment to peace, equality and individual rights.
4. South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Canada restrained vital economic and strategic ties to Britain.

Question 62

How many colonies were granted independence, 1957-1964?

Answer 62

12 out of 45.

Question 63

In what ways was decolonisation unsuccessful? (5)

Answer 63

1. Accusations of supporting white minority rule in Rhodesia.
2. Colonies became open to the influence of the USSR.
3. Commonwealth trade was sacrificed by Britain joining the EEC in 1973.
4. Commonwealth Immigration Act (1962) deliberately limited black immigration to Britain.
5. Bitter civil fights in Kenya (1952-1956 Mau Mau uprising), Cyprus, Malaya and Nigeria (1967-1970 Civil War).