Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Aims of British Foreign Policy 1964-1970/75, Summary of Foreign Relations,…
Aims of British Foreign Policy 1964-1970/75
European Economic Community
Many in Britain wished to gain entry into the EEC, as it would greatly benefit the UK economy, still struggling from WWII, Suez crisis and the 1968 devaluation crisis
France (Charles de Gaulle) demanded Britian lessen the status of its 'Special Relationship" with the US, as they didn't want America having a significant influence over the organisation. Britain wanted to maintain the relationship while opening closer ties with Europe to help keep world role and boost the economy. This ultimately resulted in their application being rejected for a second time
The Left of the Labour Party were against joining the Community for 2 reasons; they saw it as a Capitalist club and feared it would weaken the power of Trade Unions. They didn't protest the when the application was made as they felt it would be rejected, which ended up happening
Gaitskell feared that by joining the EEC, Britian would essentially become a federal 'state' with limited powers over its own laws and decision making
Decolonisation and Withdrawal East of Suez
After the 1956 Suez crisis, and reinforced by reliance on US and IMF loans, Britain saw it was loosing its position on the World Stage.
In 1967, the Minister of Defence Denis Healey published a White Paper which timetabled the Withdrawal of troops from Aden, the Middle East, Malaysia and Singapore. This was in response of a cut to the defence budget (under £2 billion)
The Withdrawl was accelerated in response to the 1967-68 devaluation crisis
Summary of Foreign Relations
State of Relationship (1954-64)
Special relationship - (Founding) member of NATO Alliance
Europe - First attempt to join EEC, but not much co-operation with Europe outside of NATO/Cold War
Empire - Beginning of Decolonisation, Suez Crisis
Changes by 1964-70
Special relationship - Weakened US-UK relations due to Vietnam War
Europe - Growing desire to intergrate with rest to Europe (2nd attempt to join EEC)
Empire - Massive/accelerating decolonisation, Withdrawl East of Suez
Continuity by 1964-70
Special relationship - UK moral support of US in Vietnam showed UK-US relation still significant
Europe - Continued rejection into EEC by France
Was Britain's foreign policy successful?
Successful
Rhodesia - Despite an overall failure, Britain succeeded in proving itself as a sensible country willing to use dialogue after the disaster of the Suez Crisis
Vietnam - Despite substantial US pressure, no British troops were deployed in combat in Vietnam, sparing countless lives and partially pleasing the public
Withdraw East of Suez - Withdraw of British troops happened almost perfectly and ahead of time (if forced by a financial crisis)
Failure
Rhodesia - Britain failed to enforce a NIWMR policy on Rhodesia. Oil sanction on the nations had very limited effect as they were bypassed by neighbouring nations and corporations
Biafra - There was mass public and media support for the Ibo people, which contracted the government's stance of supporting the Nigerian government. This massively damaged the image of the government.
Vietnam - Britain's continued moral support towards the US in Vietnam directly contrasted the Public feeling, reducing support of the Government. Furthermore, the lack of military support in Vietnam, while countries such as Australia deployed troops, put strain on the UK-US 'Special Relationship'
EEC - Britian wanted entry due to the financial benefits of being part of the community, but were loudly rejected by Charles De Gaulle