A Crumbling Britain 1951-1964 Foreign Policy (Unit 1, Topic 4) Flashcards
EFTA and EEC, Relations with the USA and USSR, Nuclear deterrent, Korean War, Suez crisis, Decolonisation
Why did the UK originally not join the EEC?
They were bankrupt and couldn’t commit anything to the organisation
Few politicians were in favour of taking up a role in the EEC
Scared of the ‘free market’ principles
Other trade links were far more important
Wanted to balance Europe commitments with USA relations and wanted to remain a World Super Power
Why did attitudes in Britain change towards the EEC?
Joining would boost industrial production for a large scale export market
Increase industrial efficiency with greater compensation
Stimulate economic growth with the rapid economic expansion already in the EEC
Why were Britain not allowed into the EEC?
Britain wanted to keep strong USA relations and commonwealth relations
Charles De Gaulle used the Frenches right of veto and blocked the UK’s admission
Britain was also very economically unstable and had low political support
What happened with the Korean War and its impacts on Britain?
Ruled by Japan but the USSR occupied areas of the north whilst USA occupied areas in the south. Britain would send 90,000 troops to the American side with 1,000 being killed. Eventually there was a ceasefire creating a divide of a communist north and a capitalist south.
This British involvement showed their willingness to play a role in world affairs, it also showed the limits of the ‘special relationship’ between USA and the UK
What happened with the Suez Crisis and its impacts on Britain?
Suez Channel was a vital route for oil shipments and Nasser Colonel had made plans for a communist Egypt and wanted to take the Suez Channel away from Britain and France. Britain opposed conflict over this matter and went into financial crisis.
Britain had to reassess its world position and face humiliation for dropping out of the Suez Channel plan. It equally brought Britain’s economy and military into the lime light
How did the British Empire crumble?
Britain was fighting movements in Malaysia, Kenya, Cyprus with France facing equal challenges. Britain had to face a Mau Mau rebellion that broke out in Kenya in 1952. Both sides reputation was damaged. Britain realised that the empire was too difficult to maintain. Macmillan performs his ‘winds of change’ speech signifying the start of decolonisation.
They would let many countries have independence such as Nigeria, Cyprus in 1960 and Tanganyika and Sierra Leone in 1961, Uganda in 1962 and Kenya in 1963
EEC?
European Economic Community
Special Relationship?
The bond between the UK and USA that was political, economical, diplomatic, cultural, military and historically developing
EFTA?
European Free Trade Association, an alternative to EEC with countries such as Austria, Denmark and Sweden
