Foreign Affairs 50s
- Created by: sophhie_xxx
- Created on: 06-04-18 12:32
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- Foreign Affairs- 1950s
- Commonwealth
- Korean War 50-53
- Korea was ruled by 2 states. the North by the USSR and the USA in the South.
- In 50, forces from the North, supported by USSR and China, invaded the south
- the UN send forces to combat the invasion. over 20 countries supplied troops. Britain sent over 90,000, the second largest after the US
- In 50, forces from the North, supported by USSR and China, invaded the south
- There was heavy fighting by a Ceasefire was agreed in 53. over 1000 British troops had died.
- The Ceasefire determined that Korea would be divided into 2. the Communist North and non-Communist South
- the War shown how the Cold War was being fought across the world. it demonstrated Britain's willingness to continue to play a major role in world affairs, despite economic constraints
- Korea was ruled by 2 states. the North by the USSR and the USA in the South.
- Decolonisation
- By 951, Britain's retreat from the Empire had already begun. the decision to withdraw from India in 47 was the most dramatic example
- The pressures of colonial independence movements became harder to contain. British forces found themselves fighting against movements in Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus.
- France and Belgium was also suffering revolts in their colonies
- Britain believed they could managw a transition from Empire to the New Commonwealth and colonial resistence could be controlled
- When the Mau Mau Rebellion broke out in Kenya in 52, it was assumed that it could be ended by the military.
- Difficultly to contain the rebellion had already demonstrated problems with Britain's colonial policies
- After Suez, British policymaking began to reconsider the pace of decolonisation
- Ghana became the first togain independence. followed by Nigeria and Cyprus in 1960
- The shift in policy making was signalled by Macmillan's 'Wind of Change' speech
- Difficultly to contain the rebellion had already demonstrated problems with Britain's colonial policies
- When the Mau Mau Rebellion broke out in Kenya in 52, it was assumed that it could be ended by the military.
- Suez
- The Suez Canal was the vital route for oil shipments. 80% of the Western Europe's oil imports passed through the canal
- Eden was encouraged by France and Israel and they agreed on a plan of action
- Israeli forces would invade Egypt; Britain and France would then intervene. the excuse would be to enforce peace amongst Egypt and Israel. In reality, they were to seize control of Suez
- Military action did not go to plan and there was a storm of political protest in Britain.
- The Labour Party opposed the conflict, anti-war protests were held and public opimopm was split on the need for intervention
- The US opposed the action and Britain was not strong enough to oppose American pressures.
- Macmillan realised it was essential to pull out even though it meant accepting failure and humiliation
- Eden's reputation was damaged. he resigned due to 'ill healtlh'
- Macmillan realised it was essential to pull out even though it meant accepting failure and humiliation
- The US opposed the action and Britain was not strong enough to oppose American pressures.
- The Labour Party opposed the conflict, anti-war protests were held and public opimopm was split on the need for intervention
- The result of Suez meant that Britain's power in the world needed a reassessment.
- 1.) questioned their reputation as a force for good in the world
- 3.)brought sharp relief the impact that Britain's economic and financialpolicy had on the direction of foreign affairs
- 2.) highlighted their inability to act without American support
- Winds of Change Speech
- Macmillan's speech in Cape Town, described the 'Winds of change' blowing through the whole African continent. this was a change in policy calling for decolonisation and recognition of independence movements
- He was seeking t persuade countries accept majority rule
- South Africa preferred minority white rule and voted in a referendum. later that year, broke all ties with Britain.
- In Retrospect, it was seen a success
- British decolonisation as more swift than that of Belgium and Portugal,
- By 64, the transition from Empire to Commonwealth seemed to represent a significant achievement
- Korean War 50-53
- Relationship with America
- Britain and America had become stronger allies after WW2 in opposing the spread of Communism across Europe
- Britain and the US remained allies in the Cold War. Britain had supported the UN in Korea
- The Burgees and Maclean Affair found British Spies had been leaking vital secrets to Moscow which worried the Americans and were less prepared to share intelligence secrets with Britain.
- Macmillan had a strong relationship with Eisenhower
- Europe
- EEC
- EEC was a union established by the Treaty of Rome in 57.
- Including 6 countries: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands
- Britain supported the creation but didn't get involved as there was a belief that Britain would still be a great world power
- Britain also wanted to balance the its involvement with Europe with maintaining the 'Special Relationship' with the US
- Britain tried to join the EEC after failure of EFTA in 1961 by Macmillan. but were vetoed out by Charles De Gaulle in 63
- Britain fundamentally changed their mind and wanted to join as they believed it would: -boost industrial production. -increase industrial efficiency and stimulate economic growth
- France didn't want Britain to join because they didn't want the USA to join.
- EFTA
- IN 59, Britain created the EFTA however became unsuccessful
- EEC
- America
- Nuclear Deterrent
- The US had stopped sharing its nuclear secrets with Britain and so if they wanted a nuclear power they would have to do it themselves
- Labour Foreign Secretary Bevin- "We've got to have this thing over here whatever the costs. We've hot to have a bloody Union Jack on top of it."
- Churchill had continued this policy and Brtiain's first test of the atomic bomb were in 52.
- This made Britain the 3rd country in the world to have nuclear weapons after the US and USSR
- By then, they were already testing hydrogen Bombs, Britain's H Bomb was tested in 57.
- This made Britain the 3rd country in the world to have nuclear weapons after the US and USSR
- Concerns over the development led to the formation of the CND in 58
- became most powerful pressure group in the UK
- wanted to reject nuclear weapons and instead follow a policy of unilateral nuclear disarmament
- around 8000 people took part in a demonstation at the base in Aldermaston in 58. followed by a second march in 59
- 1958
- America began sharing tech. with Britain under the Mutual Defence Agreement
- Britain's own rocket project Blue Streak was abandoned in 1960. it was replaced by dependence on the American Polaris submarine weapon system
- Nuclear Deterrent
- Commonwealth
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