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Labour, from 1951 to 1979, REVISE, REVISE, REVISE - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Wilson was called upon by Lyndon Johnson to send troops to support the USA in its war with Vietnam, against the Viet Cong. However, he refused. This was due in part to financial considerations: the UK could not really afford to be engaging in military operations, thus restoring defence spending, which had been wound down after the decline of Empire. This was arguably a defining moment in the 'special relationship', as it showed that the UK had a degree of autonomy in its foreign policy.
      - Wilson came out in support of the war, however.
      - His response angered both the left of the Labour Party, who had wanted Wilson to condemn the war, and the USA, who had expected the UK to commit troops. Wilson had attempted to appease both sides, and this had arguably backfired. This was a common theme of Wilson's leadership - attempting to compromise and find consensus. Historians such as Dominic Sandbrook have commented on this decision by Wilson as an example of great leadership, however.
    - - Southern Rhodesia refused to end segregation.
      - Wilson attempted, both through negotiation and trade embargo, to make the leader of Southern Rhodesia change his mind. The trade embargo failed as the country was able to source oil from elsewhere. It backfired, as he had no intention of changing his mind, and this made Wilson - and the UK - look weak.