Foreign relations

Question 1

EFTA and the EEC

Answer 1

• Britain didn’t become part of the EEC upon its creation in 1955 instead they formed the EFTA in 1959 - only moderatly successful - couldn’t match the growth of the EEC.

Question 2

When did the gov apply to the EEC?

Answer 2

• 1961 Macmillan submitted an application in hope that it would help the British economy.
• 1963 Britains application was veoted by De Gaulle

Question 3

Relationship with the USA

Answer 3

• Relationship with USA in the 1950s was dominated by the Cold War.
• Supported the US in Korea sending in 90,000 soldiers and helped the USA to sustain West Berlin
• Abandonment of the Blue Streak in 1960 as a result to their agreement to share nuclear technology
• Macmillan had close relationship with JFK
• Holy Loch US naval base in UK.
• 1958 mutual defence agreement - began to share technology

Question 4

Why was relations strained with USA?

Answer 4

• Dependent on American power due to being militarily overstreched and struggling economically
• came under strain through suez crisis and rejection of EEC
• Plan was kept secret from parliament and USA.

Question 5

What was the Suez Crisis and when did it happen?

Answer 5

• Israeli armed forces pushed into Egypt towards the Suez Canal after Tsar nationalised the Canal - soon joined by French and British forces - in the end Britain withdrew their toops and had been globally humiliated.
• no longer great power - couldn’t act alone without American approval
• split gov
• faced threat of economic collapse

Question 6

Decolonisation

Answer 6

• By 1951 retreat from Europe had already began.
• During 50s pressure of colonial pressure became harder to contain e.g. the Mau Mau rebellion in the 50s.
• Change was shown in Macmillans change of wind speech in 1960

Question 7

Examples of decolonisation?

Answer 7

1958 - west Indies
1962 - Uganda
1963 - Kenya