The USA's policy towards Britain and Europe Flashcards
(27 cards)
what was the USA’s initial approach to Europe based on?
the intention to work towards the reconstruction of a democratic region, whose members would be committed to mutual cooperation and cooperation on a wider international scale
what was there no suggestion that the USA envisaged?
any long-term military or political entanglement in Europe beyond the time it would take to establish political and economic reconstruction there
what was there no clear indication of for the USA?
no indication that the USA regarded Europe as a springboard for the development of a global power for itself
what did Europe mirror in July 1945?
a wider international problem, which represented a threat to the stability of international democracy based on capitalism
what did Acheson argue was happening in Europe?
the railway and power systems had collapsed and the financial system had come to a complete standstill
who was the gloomy assessment on the economic and social survival of european states reinforced by?
Under-Secretary of State Willian L. Clayton in May 1947
what did Clayton conclude?
that Europe was steadily deteriorating as millions of people faced the prospect of starvation
what argument did Clayton propose?
that without a substantial increase in aid from the USA, Europe would experience social, economic and political disintegration on a regional scale
how did the USA become a global power post-WW2?
The USA was a superpower by the end of WW2. This implied that its influence was to be measured on a global and, therefore, worldwide, scale rather than merely a regional scale. Global power status suggests that the state may intervene effectively anywhere in the world and this sets it above other non-global or regional powers
Dean G. Acheson (1893-1971)
one of the architects of the Marshall Plan and US Secretary of State from 1949-1953. He had a key role in the formulation of American policy towards Europe. He was committed to the concept of containment and to ensuring that the USA’s interests in Europe were guaranteed by making its commitment manageable and effective. He was also committed to stopping the spread of communism on a global scale and regarded Asia as a key element in this aim. Acheson was very influential in the USA’s early Cold War policy
what was US strategic polanning on Europe focused on by 1947?
not only ensuring economic recovery after WW2 and promoting unity within Europe
what would the promotion of unity within Europe lead to?
a stable and independent bloc of pro-American states
what conclusion had the USA reached to by 1947?
that only Western Europe could be moulded into this and had committed itself to the notion of a divided Europe
where did the USA’s route into Europe come through?
its ‘special relationship’ with Britain
what did Britain represented?
a politically stable state amid other less stable mainland European states
why was Britain the driving force in preserving the ‘special relationship’?
For Britain, there was a need to preserve its own international status
what was the only way for Britain’s international status to be preserved?
with the USA’s support through its contribution to Britain’s security
how did Britain want the relationship to be?
not become one of dependency upon the USA, but one of mutual support
what did the USA need to do?
form a relationship with the Western powers - Britain was the most receptive
what were other Western European states faced with?
left-wing socialist political groups who appeared less reliable than the British labour movement
how did Consensus politics being in place in Britain help the USA?
it meant that Britain was a state that the USA could do business with
Jan 1947
The British and US zones in Germany are merged to create Bizonia
June 1947
the Marshall Plan is announced
Feb 1948
a new currency is introduced into the Western zones of Germany
