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An in-depth revision table about British Foreign relations during for the History AQA A-level specification, component 2S.
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Foreign AffairsSections 1,2,3,4,5, & 6
Section 1 (1951-1964) Section 2 (1964-1970) Section 3 (1970-1979)
EFTA and attempts to join the Relations, particularly Atittudes to Europe:
EEC: Britain's commonwealth about Vietnam: Diplomatic Edward Heath
ties, domestic agricultural policy, Relations: The United (Conservative Party, 1970-
and close links to the US were Kingdom and the United 1974): Heath's government
obstacles in joining and the States maintained close led the negotiations for the
French President, Charles de diplomatic ties during this UK's entry into the EEC,
Gaulle, vetoed Britain's period. Both countries were which occurred on January 1,
application in 1963. Also he was part of the Western alliance, 1973. Heath was a strong
an anglophile Conservatives and Wilson sought to advocate of European
Rejecting Membership: • British maintain a strong relationship integration and believed that
leaders, Churchill & Eden, did not with U.S. President Lyndon the EEC would benefit the
accept that WWII was caused by B. Johnson. Non-Combat UK economically and
nation states. • Trying to maintain Involvement: Wilson politically. He faced
the US as a closer ally than pursued a policy of non- opposition from within his
Europe • Dubious economic combat involvement in the own party, including from
reasons • To make Britain a Vietnam War. He faced prominent figures like
primary defender of the West pressure from the U.S. to Margaret Thatcher, who
from the Soviets • Couldn’t let go contribute troops, but he expressed concerns about
of Empire Macmillan’s U-Turn: • resisted committing British the loss of national
Personified a Generation of combat forces to the conflict. sovereignty. Harold Wilson
Conservatives who accepted the Instead, the UK provided (Labour Party, 1970-1974):
inevitable end of the Empire limited non-combat support, Initially, Wilson's government
“winds of change” • Macmillan such as medical assistance sought to renegotiate the
was acutely aware of the decline and aid to civilian projects in terms of the UK's entry into
of British power which he did not South Vietnam. Support for the EEC, which it considered
accept as a corollary of Diplomatic Solutions: unfavorable. In 1971, a
decolonisation. He and his Wilson advocated for a successful renegotiation was
generation of Conservatives diplomatic resolution to the conducted, resulting in more
wanted to find a way in which conflict. He supported favorable terms for the UK's
British power could be rekindled, diplomatic efforts, including membership. A referendum
a way in which our influence those led by the United on EEC membership was
could continue to spread States, to negotiate an end to held in 1975, and Wilson
beneficially beyond Britain's the war. He called for peace campaigned for a "Yes" vote.
Foreign Affairs 1
, borders.
Section 1- (1951-1964)
Substitute Empire? • Section 2 (1964-1970) The British
Section public chose to
3 (1970-1979)
Missed the Bus Theory • remain in the EEC.
talks and urged the parties
Overestimation of their
involved to find a political
independent position • Failed to
solution. Criticism of U.S.
obtain a viable alternative • Did
Escalation: As the war
not understand European
escalated and the United
motivations It disliked many of
States increased its military
the supranational elements in
involvement, Wilson
the treaties, it was worried
expressed concern about the
about damaging links with
direction of the conflict. He
Commonwealth countries and
privately criticized the U.S.
it wished to pursue a ‘one-
escalation and questioned its
world economic system’ policy
effectiveness in achieving the
in which sterling was a central
stated goals. Public Opinion
currency. The UK’s non-
and Protests: The Vietnam
participation meant that when
War generated significant
it did join the EEC in 1973 it
public debate and protests in
had to accept many elements
the UK, reflecting broader
controversial among some
anti-war sentiment in
British voters, which were
Western countries. Wilson
established before it joined: its
faced pressure from within
supranationalism, the Common
his own party and the general
Agricultural Policy and
public to distance the UK
the budget.
from U.S. policies and seek
peaceful resolutions. UN
Involvement: The UK
supported United Nations
efforts to find a peaceful
solution to the Vietnam War.
It endorsed UN resolutions
calling for negotiations and
an end to the conflict. The
UK also contributed to UN
humanitarian efforts,
providing assistance to
refugees and supporting
reconstruction projects.
Influence on U.S. Policy:
While Wilson's influence on
U.S. policy towards Vietnam
Foreign Affairs 2
, Section 1 (1951-1964) Section 2 (1964-1970) Section 3 (1970-1979)
was limited, he had some
discussions with President
Johnson regarding the war.
Wilson conveyed his
concerns about the conflict
and urged the U.S. to pursue
diplomatic solutions.
Relations with and policies Some World Affairs and USA Special relations: Ted
towards USA & USSR: Europe: European Heath (Conservative Party,
Background: Churchill’s Three Economic Community 1970-1974): Ted Heath's
Circles, aka; Geometric Conceit, (EEC) Membership: government maintained a
he believed Britain would be a Wilson's government applied generally positive but
separate entity that would unite to join the EEC, which was a somewhat strained
the USA, Europe and the European trade and relationship with the United
Commonwealth. British Led ← economic bloc, in 1967. States. Heath's focus was
———————→ US Dominated However, France, under primarily on strengthening
British Led Aspects: Paris President Charles de Gaulle, Britain's position within the
Summit 1960: - Britain vetoed the UK's entry in 1967 European Economic
essentially had to persuade the and again in 1969. Wilson's Community (EEC). This
USA to converse with USSR government faced sometimes led to
leaders. On May 17th 1960 the disappointment and had to disagreements with the
leaders of the Soviet Union, USA, reevaluate its approach to United States, as the U.S.
Great Britain and France met in European integration. Cold was not part of the EEC. One
Paris to discuss the situation in War Era: Wilson's significant point of contention
Berlin. - The Soviet Union wanted government faced challenges was the U.S. approach to the
Berlin to be designated as a ‘Free related to the ongoing Cold Vietnam War. Heath's
City’ with minimal military War between the United government did not publicly
presence from other powers, and States and the Soviet Union. criticize U.S. policy, but it
also wanted to conclude a Peace He pursued a policy of also did not provide direct
Treaty with East Germany. - The detente, which aimed at military support to the United
Western Powers were reducing tensions between States. Harold Wilson
determined not to allow West East and West. Wilson also (Labour Party, 1974-1976
Berlin fall under Soviet Influence participated in negotiations and 1974-1979): Wilson's
and had repeatedly pointed to the for the Non-Proliferation approach to the United
agreements made in the war time Treaty (NPT) aimed at States was characterized by
summits. This summit was an limiting the spread of nuclear a mix of cooperation and
opportunity to try and agree some weapons. occasional tensions. During
kind of compromise. - On May 1st his second term, Wilson
the USSR announced that it had faced challenges related to
Foreign Affairs 3
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