Towards a new consensus 1987-1997: Foreign affairs

Question 1

Why was the issue of Europe seen as the most destabilising issue for the Conservative Party?

Answer 1

It was split between those who no longer wanted Britain to play a central role in the EU vs those who felt it was vital to make closer ties to ensure future economic prosperity

Question 2

What did Britain enter in 1990 and why?

Answer 2

• ERM
• In an attempt to shadow the German currency and stabilise British interest rates

Question 3

What was Thatcher’s involvement with the EU within this time?

Answer 3

• In 1988 she made her infamous Bruges speech where she clearly outlined her opposition to closer political ties with Brussels
• Wasn’t actually against the EU and she advocated the importance of British having access to the single market despite beliefs this was the start of the Brexit process
• Her opposition to the political element of the EU resulted in many of her cabinet resigning

Question 4

What forced Britain to retreat from the ERM?

Answer 4

Black Wednesday in 1992

Question 5

What made Major achieve his highest opinion poll ratings?

Answer 5

• Members of the EU agreed to an eventual unification of currencies
• Major managed to agree an opt out for Britain joining the new currency

Question 6

When did division peak within the Conservative Party?

Answer 6

In 1995 when Major faced a leadership challenge from John Redwood on the issue of Europe

Question 7

What was Thatcher in favour for after the collapse of communism?

Answer 7

• Expanding the EEC to include new states in Eastern Europe
• Was to extend free trade and ensure that communism was truly defeated
• But was also to weaken the power of the European Commission in Brussels

Question 8

What happened at the Arabian Gulf in 1991?

Answer 8

An American led coalition which included Britain and was backed by the UN expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait in a short military campaign

Question 9

How was Britain involved with the Balkans?

Answer 9

1. 1991- USSR split up into Russia and Yugoslavia splits up into many different states which all go to war
2. In 1992,Eastern Bosnia was driven out by violent ethnic cleansing carried out by paramilitaries
3. In 1992 Britain held a peace treaty in London and therefore played a large part in mediating peace (John Major was 1 of the main peace mediators in negotiations)
4. Peace treaty signed in 1995

Question 10

How was Britain involved with the Cold War?

Answer 10

1. Cold War ended in 1991, leading to the USSR splitting to become Russia
2. Thatcher played a large part in relations between the USSR and USA and was part of the negotiations between nuclear disarmament and Germany’s reunification
3. Thatcher helped these negotiations due to having a good relationship with Reagan and a liking for Gorbachev
4. She acted as the middle person by talking to both Reagan and Gorbachev and then getting them to talk to each other
5. Opposed a unified German state