(3) Foreign Relations 1951-64: Britain, Europe, and the Cold War
• Britain’s position diminished after 1947 – when the British informed the US that
Britain had to withdraw from its commitments in Greece, Palestine, and Turkey, as
the economy was close to bankruptcy
• Took British Politicians and the public a long time to adjust to Britain’s new status-
there were significant questions about British relations with EEC, its ‘special
relationship’ with USA, especially in context of Cold War and the move away from
imperial power.
The EEC
• Dominated by France and Germany, but also included Belgium, Holland,
Luxembourg, and Italy- Britain was supportive, feeling that it would strengthen
European security, especially during cold War, but didn’t seek to join for several
reasons:
• Majority of politicians and journalists were against the idea, Labour politician’s saw
the community as a ‘Capitalist club’ built on free market principles and working
against socialist values, Tories felt trade between them and Australia, NZ and Canada
(the Commonwealth) would be damaged by joining, some also believed the ‘Special
relationship may be damaged, the majority of the public believed Britain was still a
major power and had ‘won’ the war against the enemy Germany so didn’t see the
need to join- instead intended to remain in ‘Splendid Isolation’.
Changing Attitudes
• 1959- Britain and six other non-EEC countries create EFTA – although successful, the
nations in EFTA didn’t see the level of economic growth EEC countries enjoyed.
• Therefore in 1961, Macmillan applied to join EEC – hoped that joining would boost
Britain’s industrial production and increase industrial efficiency.
• Kennedy encourage Macmillan, as he saw Britain as crucial Cold War link between
US and Europe, especially at time of growing tension over Berlin- Suez had shaken
Britain’s confidence that it remained a world power, exacerbated by its shrinking
empire through decolonisation.
British Application
• Application difficult- De Gaulle suspicious of Britain and US and believed British
membership would lead to dominance by Britain and US.
• British desire to keep close trade links to Commonwealth made negotiations
difficult- Britain had to demand exemptions from existing EEC polices (eg CAP for lam
exports from NZ).
• Despite careful bargaining from chief negotiator (Heath) – application vetoed by De
Gaulle in 1963. Many nations shocked by this, and British and French relations
strained as Britain failed to join EEC for 10 more years.
Britain and Cold War (relations with America)
• During early years of Cold War, Britain remained close ally with US E.G., Britain’s
membership of NATO, presence of British troops in West Germany in post-war, 90k
British soldiers supporting US-led involvement in Korean war (1950-3) of whom 1k
• Britain’s position diminished after 1947 – when the British informed the US that
Britain had to withdraw from its commitments in Greece, Palestine, and Turkey, as
the economy was close to bankruptcy
• Took British Politicians and the public a long time to adjust to Britain’s new status-
there were significant questions about British relations with EEC, its ‘special
relationship’ with USA, especially in context of Cold War and the move away from
imperial power.
The EEC
• Dominated by France and Germany, but also included Belgium, Holland,
Luxembourg, and Italy- Britain was supportive, feeling that it would strengthen
European security, especially during cold War, but didn’t seek to join for several
reasons:
• Majority of politicians and journalists were against the idea, Labour politician’s saw
the community as a ‘Capitalist club’ built on free market principles and working
against socialist values, Tories felt trade between them and Australia, NZ and Canada
(the Commonwealth) would be damaged by joining, some also believed the ‘Special
relationship may be damaged, the majority of the public believed Britain was still a
major power and had ‘won’ the war against the enemy Germany so didn’t see the
need to join- instead intended to remain in ‘Splendid Isolation’.
Changing Attitudes
• 1959- Britain and six other non-EEC countries create EFTA – although successful, the
nations in EFTA didn’t see the level of economic growth EEC countries enjoyed.
• Therefore in 1961, Macmillan applied to join EEC – hoped that joining would boost
Britain’s industrial production and increase industrial efficiency.
• Kennedy encourage Macmillan, as he saw Britain as crucial Cold War link between
US and Europe, especially at time of growing tension over Berlin- Suez had shaken
Britain’s confidence that it remained a world power, exacerbated by its shrinking
empire through decolonisation.
British Application
• Application difficult- De Gaulle suspicious of Britain and US and believed British
membership would lead to dominance by Britain and US.
• British desire to keep close trade links to Commonwealth made negotiations
difficult- Britain had to demand exemptions from existing EEC polices (eg CAP for lam
exports from NZ).
• Despite careful bargaining from chief negotiator (Heath) – application vetoed by De
Gaulle in 1963. Many nations shocked by this, and British and French relations
strained as Britain failed to join EEC for 10 more years.
Britain and Cold War (relations with America)
• During early years of Cold War, Britain remained close ally with US E.G., Britain’s
membership of NATO, presence of British troops in West Germany in post-war, 90k
British soldiers supporting US-led involvement in Korean war (1950-3) of whom 1k
