UK History - Section 2 Foreign affairs

How did Wilson give moral support instead of military support during the Vietnam War ?

• There was a lot of opposition to British involvement in the war (Particularly in the Labour Party)

• Britain was not in a financial position to become involved

• US wanted supported and approval from its allies, Wilson wanted to keep the Atlantic Aliance intact, Wilson wanted the US to remain committed to resisting the communist threat in Europe - especially in the light of the USSR’s invasion of Czech in 1968

• Other countries like Australia were willing to send troops

• Britain was dependant on the US, financially and militarily

• Wilson disappointed the Left who wanted him to condemn the war

• US was disappointed that Britain’s support was so limited

The Labour Party were split over the issues of Europe during the 1960’s who were against and for joining the EEC ?

• Against : Gaitskell (already posed the application of the Conservative government in 1961), Those on the left of the party who saw the EEC as a capitalist club (Michael Foot and Barbara Castle), Trade Unions

• For : Senior members of the cabinet like Roy Jenkins and George Brown

Why did Wilson reapply for the EEC in 1966 ?

• He was ambivalent

• Favoured the relationship with the US over the EEC but also saw the economic benefits of joining the EEC

• Needed token the party united

• By 1966, Wilson was too persuaded by the economic case to put forward an application - Left was too critical (they knew the application went be successful)

What happened with the 1966 EEC application from Britain ?

• De Gaulle yet again vetoed it in 1967 as Wilson failed to give ‘sufficient’ assurances that Britain ws prepared to lessen its ‘special relationship’ with the US

Why did Rhodesia want to become independent ?

• Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland broke up into Northern and Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1963 - they all wanted to become independent

When did Northern Rhodesia become independent and what did it become ?

• Became independent in 1964

When did Nyasaland become independent and what did it become ?

• Independent Malawi in 1964

When did Southern Rhodesia become independent ?

Britain did not allow for the independence of Southern Rhodesia

Why did Britain not allow for the independence of Southern Rhodesia ?

• Southern Rhodesia insisted on maintaining white minority rule

What were the consequences of Britain not being able to make Smith back down ?

• Other Commonwealth countries were unhappy about the Situation in Rhodesia and Britains failure to change it

• Britains limited influence made Britain look weak

• Failure to end white majority rule disappointed many on the Labour left

• Sanctions remained and Rhodesia’s independence was not official recognised till 1979