US and USSR Relations Flashcards
When did Britain join Nato?
1949
When and what did Britain do for the Korean war?
(1950-3) offered 90000 troops being second biggest contingent
–> 1000 soldiers died
Britians willingness to play a major role in world affairs despite eco. constraints
But US was greater power
When and what was the burgess and Maclean affair?
(1951) highly placed offers of British intelligence defected to USSR –> leaking secrets
Weakened US trust with Britain with intellligence secrets
What did Suez ruin for Britain in terms of US?
IMF loan was cancelled
What was Mutual Defence Agreemetn?
(1958) US agreed to share nuclear tech with Britain
(1960) Blue streak abandoned and replaced with American Polaris submarine
What did Britian do for Vietnam?
(From 1955) gave moral support although they wanted, but resisted direct military support
Maintain Atlantic Alliance, but war was very un pop. in Britain
Eco., political and finanicial considerations in desicion
What weakened tensions during the Yom Kippur War with US?
(1973) refused to let NATO bases airlift supplies to Israel in war
What did Thatcher do which strenghtened relations with US?
gave permission to use British bases to bomb Libya despite being unpopular
agreemnt to the deployment of US cruise missles in Britain
Britains relationship with US and USSR during Cold War?
(1960) Macmillan invloved in plans for a summit conference with Soviet leader
Good relationship with John F. Kennedy
Kennedy kept Mac. informed with Cuban Missile Crisis; but were just bystanders
In international ‘top table’
Wilsons opinion of US?
pro-American and keen suporter of Atlantic Alliance
Outcome of Vietnam war?
(1965) teach-ins on Vietnam at Oxford + LSE
(1966) Vietnam Solidarity Campaign set up and got spport from uni students
(1968) anti-vietnam riots
(1968) 2 cons. MPs physically attacked
- Denis Healey’s car overturned by Cambridge students
Anti-vietnam riots?
(17th March 1968) demo near American Embassy in Grosvenor Square
(28th March 1968) Battle of grosvenor Square
–> 200 ppl arrested
(Oct. 1968) 30,000 people took part but relatively peaceful
Heaths opinion of US?
prioritised European connections
Rejected idea that US could use Britain as a connection to Europe and should negotiate with European commitee directly
Got on with President Nixon
Supported Vietnam more than Wilson
Callaghan opinion of US?
negotiated replacement of Polaris nuclear msisle with Trident 1979 with President Carter
completed withdrawl of East of Suez
When and what was the detente?
(1970) easing of hositility
US and USSR approached each other directly –> limit build of arms
Attitudes towards USSR 1970’s?
underlying tension
(1978) Bulgarian who outspoken in his criticism of regime was assasinated in London by suspected Russian secret service
Thatchers opinion over US?
strong bond between her and Ronald Reagan, personally and ideologically
supported Falklands
Differences between Thatcher and US?
(1983) US invaded Grenada after a Communist coup against Thatcher advice
Why was it seemingly close to the end of the Cold War
Invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 wasnt a direct attack at West but rather a last attempt at Soviet military might
Britains reaction to Second Cold War?
concern of a nuclear war
Protect and Survive booklets published
TV of post-nuclear war
How was Thatcher involved in ending of Cold War?
combative style to confront USSR
Willingness to negotiate with Soviet leader Michael Gorbachev from 1985
foreign policy founded on special realtionship with US
How did Cold War close to end second time?
(1986) Reykjavik summit, both sides prepared to make comprimises
–> ended without agreement but paved way for future progress
(1987) Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty signed at Washington
–> limited short range weapons and beagn mutual disarmament
Not end but close near?
When was the USSR officially dissolved?
Dec 1991–> but none of original leaders saw to the end
What was Blairs position with US?
essential to keep US invloved in European affairs and make full use of NATO
close relation with CLinton and Bush
froeign policy dominated by US priorities?
Attitudes to China internationally 1970?
(July 1971) Nixon announced thawing of relations followed by a visit to China in 1972
–> held meetings with Mao Zedong
Attitudes with China in 1970?
(march 1972) agreed to excahnge ambassadors with CHina
(From 1974) Heath made many visits to CHina
->awarded title of ‘Peoples Friendship Envoy’
(1979) Premier Hua Guofeng visited Britian as part of European tour - first time since communist revolution
