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14 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Britain's imperial decline, what were the implications of Britain's imperial illusions? |
-Political/public opinion was slow to recognise Britain's reduced position in the world -slow realisation had profound consequences -delayed European integration until 1973 - was only after the humiliating suez crisis that B's inability to act as a great power began to be realised -Imperial illusions also held back the process of decolonisation, was only following Harold Wilsons Wind of Change speech that people began to come to terms with the need to let of colonies in Africa -These illusions kept Britain spending far too much on defence |
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What was the Suez Crisis? |
-After the Egyptian President Colonel Nasser nationalised the important Suez Canal the French and British agreed for the Israelis to attack Egypt and the Anglo- French to create an exclusion zone between the two countries including the canal -However, after pressure from the US and the UN the invaders were made to withdraw with sanctions |
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**why did Britain go into Suez? |
- Nasser had nationalised the canal -80% of Western Europe's oil came through the Suez Canal -Eden was anti-appeasement -Suez was used for trade links to the commonwealth -Eden wanted Britain to still be able to deal with world affairs -Diplomatic solution were slow -Belief Nasser was a danger to the Middle East and African stability -Encouraged to do so by France who were wooded about the breaking up of their colonies -Encouraged to do so by Israel who felt directly threatened by Egypt |
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Outcome of Suez?* |
Lynch -Britain wasn't defeated by forces were withdrew just on a verge of success Robert James- Brilliant military success -Most likely showed Britain's declining role in world affairs and that it could no longer threaten the world/ B could not act alone, landmark of last imperialism - Threatened the Anglo-American relationship -climate for retreat from Empire |
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Why was decolonisation wanted by those in the affected countries? ** |
-wanted to govern themselves -minority whites had all the power -Indian Independence had given hope -promises of development and limited self government after the war were not fulfilled |
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End of Empire - consensus politics? |
-very much consensus politics -conservatives led dismantling of Empire after previously being pro imperialism -Main parties agreed decolonisation was right |
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In what ways was decolonisation successful ? |
Lynch " independence was remarkably smooth and bloodless process" completed more swiftly and with far less violence than any other colonial powers e.g Belgium All ex colonies joined the commonwealth NS: independence in Kenya, Mau Mau Rebellion caused bloodshed and in Rhodesia where the white minority government declared unilateral independence |
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Why was Macmillan wind of change speech important? ** |
- Speech at Cape town South Africa 1960- addressing primarily a white audience mostly beliers in apartheid and had to convince them of the need to face reality -Before 1960s central aim of British imperial policy was to defeat nationalist revolts and maintain control over Britain's African colonies. -Mac's speech signalled a significant change of policy calling for decolonisation and recognition of independence movements - |
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What was the Schuman Plan?** |
-set out proposals for coal and steel community- integrating French and German heavy industry to promote rapid economic reconstruction and bind together enemies -Foundation of economic cooperation across Western Europe -Strongly supported by Britain and the the US as a continuation to security of Europe as the cold war took shape |
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Why did Britain stand said from Europe in 1951-57?** |
-very few politicians/journalists in favour of British leadership in Europe -Labour was suspicious of the free market principles behind the common market -Vast majority of Conservatives preferred commonwealth/ preservation of trade links within the Commonwealth Australia, Canada and New Zealand more important than Europe -Many Britain's remembered the wartime -Germany deadly wartime enemies and France had been overrun and occupied -Little enthusiasm for what was going on in continental Europe -Many still had illusions about Britain being a great world power -Economic advantages disregarded -B FP was therefore to encourage European integration from the sidelines but not to get involved |
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Why did Britain change its mind about Europe? |
Economic - trade paper from the 1930s was nt good enough so needed to be included with the West German economic miracle ?? Foreign- US want Britain to join so Britain linked America with Europe + Empire was declining following Suez and decolonisation -B wanted to keep position in three areas of world affairs; Europe, the CW and the US |
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What was the EFTA and why did it fail? |
-Formed in May 1960 -Britain was one of the founding members alongside Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland and Portugal -unsuccessful; could not build the same strength as the EEC had |
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Why did Britain's application in 1963 fail? |
- President De Gaule vetoed in 1961 when 5 other countries agreed -No desire in Britain as they still saw themselves as a major world power -Special relationship with US hindrance -B wanted to keep links with CW although this made negotiations very complex and difficult -fails; Britain had missed the "European bus " |
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why decolonise? |
-consensus politics - Indian Independence - 1950s pressure of colonial independence from other movements became harder and harder to contain e.g British forces fighting against national independence movements in Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus -Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya; signal -Suez Crisis - following this Britons position in the world underwent a fundamental reassessment; highlighted how dependent they were on USA; (weren't strong enough to stand up to American pressure>plunged into financial crisis) -Following Suez, pace of decolonisation picks up rapidly |
