Foreign affairs Flashcards
(11 cards)
Was Wilson Pro-america?
Yes he supported the Atlantic Alliance and wanted to ensure the US stayed committed to the defence of Europe
What was the continuing possibility of Soviet threat highlighted by?
The soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia
Why did the Vietnam war put the Atlantic allicance under strain?
The US wanted Britain to commit troops, like Australia had done, but Wilson refused to make any direct military action. It was a tricky balancing act as Wilson wanted to maintain the Atlantic Alliance but the Vietnam War was hugely unpopular in Britain, so he risked losing political support if he was too supportive of it. There were also financial considerations as Britain couldn’t really afford military involvement but needed the US to support the value of the sterling to avoid devalution. Therefore, his policy was moral not military support. This annoyed the US who wanted greater backing and Labour MPs who wanted the government to condemn the US
Did the new govt want Britain to join the EEC?
Wilson was ambivalent as he preferred the Atlantic alliance and links with the commonwealth but understood the economic incentive to join. Many on the labour left like Michael Foot, Barbara Castle and the trade unions dissapproved but there were several Europhiles like Jenkins. In 1966, they decided to back a new application.
Was the EEC membership bid of 1966 in good prospects?
No, the doubts within Labour made it seem half hearted
De Gaulle was still President of France and there was no evidence he had changed his mind
What did De Gaulle demand of Wilson in 1967?
He demanded assurance that Britain would detach itself from the special relationship, but Wilson refused, so De Gaulle vetoed the application
What accelerated decolonisation?
Macmillan’s winds of change speech
What was the withdrawal from East of Suez?
From 1964 the Labour government knew Britain’s military commitments would have to be reduced, for economic reasons. The minister of defence, Denis Healey, introduced spending cuts designed to bring the defence budget below £2 billion by 1970
Did everyone approve of the spending cuts?
Many thought they didn’t go far or fast enough but Wilson was committed to the Atlantic Alliance and Britain having a world role. There was no serious debate on giving up a nuclear deterrent, despite its expense
When did the spending cuts adapt?
After the 1967 devaluation crisis when withdrawal from East of Suez was rapidly accelerated. The development of new high tech warplane TSR2 was also abandoned due to the expense
What happened in Rhodesia?
That majority rule replaced political domination by the white population. When Ian Smith became PM in 1965 he issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence without accepting majority rule, this was a direct challenge to Wilson and his govt. Wilson tried to convince him through oil sanctions and negotiations but these had no effect. Smith believed he could rely on right wing Conservative support so he simply waited for Britain to give in. The situation upset the Commonwealth and made Britain seem weak
