1950s Foreign Policy Europe, Cold War, Decolonisation Flashcards
(10 cards)
What was britains problem in 1950s foreign policy?
They wanted to maintain global influence but lacked the resources to do so.
Who was Britain firmly tied to?
NATO and the USA
How did macmillan exercise this special relationship with the USA?
MacMillan tried to act as a mediating force in the Korean War 1950-1953, emphasising the special relationship with the US. He also supported the USA in disputes such as the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis
What is the EEC?
Eruopeam economic community. Founded in 1957, regarded as a success. For example, founder west Germany had a 5% growth whereas Britain had a less than 2.5 percent growth.
Britain’s reaction to EEC in 1950s
Britain showed little interest. They made an alternative, EFTA but consisted of smaller countries.
What happened late 1950s in regards to foreign policy and EEC?
Britain changed policy and applied to join EEC but French president De Gaulle rejected application as he feared Britains commitment to Europe was too weak and that Britain was too close to the USA.
British foreign policy and colonisation during the late 1950s
By the late 1950s, Britain had lost a majority of its colonies. MacMillan in particular recognised that colonialism was dead in his ‘winds of change’ speech in South Africa.
When was the suez crisis
1956
What happened in the suez crisis
Egypts leader nationalised the Suez Canal to make more money for egypts economy. Britain and France who were shareholders of the canal were unhappy and plotted a scheme with Israel to invade the canal and take it back.
Consequences of the Suez crisis
While there was military success, it was opposed but the USA.
The USA threatened to withdraw British loans if Britain didn’t step away. Britain did withdraw
Prime minister Eden resigned after this
It was this that showed britains reduced role in the world.
