Download year 11 gcse history revision classes timetable 2008

Synoptic Essay Plan on Foreign Policy
1.”It was only because of the “special relationship” with the United States that that Britain
could exert an influence on international affairs in the years 1951 to 2007”.Assess the
validity of this view.
(45 Marks)
Introduction
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Explanation of the so-called “special relationship” between the USA and the UK being the
close alliance forged by Churchill and Roosevelt in WWII.
Special relationship continued after 1945 during the Cold War until 1990 due to common
values with one another against the opposing beliefs of the USSR
Maintained after 1990 as Britain looked to support the USA in maintaining its values and
developing them in uncertainty of the post-cold war period.
Special relationship was an example of continuity in British foreign policy for 1951 to
2007 period although nature of this relationship not always the same
Debate over importance of special relationship in terms of whether it was so important
that it was essential for Britain to have any role in foreign affairs.
Influence of Britain being dependent on the “special relationship” with the USA
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Helped Britain to have influence in various global disputes such as the Korean War and
Cold War and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan in policy direction
Enabled effective working relationships from which Britain had influence such as
MacMillan & Kennedy, Thatcher & Reagan and Blair & Clinton & Bush.
MacMillan’s relationship with Kennedy enabled Britain to have access to the latest nuclear
technology for the purposes of having own deterrent.
Thatcher’s relationship with Reagan resulted in her having influence with the Soviet
leader Gorbachev and contributed to the end of the Cold War.
Blair’s relationship with Clinton led to US & NATO involvement in the Balkans which
resulted in an end to the conflict in this region in the 1990s.
Occasions when Britain acted without the support of the US was problematic notably over
Suez in 1956 indicating extent to which it was dependent.
Lack of US support with other colonial issues demonstrated dependence on them most
notably with the Rhodesia Crisis between 1965 and 1979.
On question of the Peace Process of Northern Ireland not effective without involvement
of US dimension & George Mitchell for Good Friday Agreement.
Dependence on the US for influence shown with conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq where
very much on “coat tails” of the US and limited impact.
Nature of relationship with the US prevented Britain having influence within other areas
such as Europe and led to rejected entry in 1962 and 1967.
Close relationship between Blair and Bush in 2003 in the War on Terror led to lack of
influence within the EEC and opposition from France and Germany.
US opposition to Britain & its Empire led to rapid process of decolonisation in the 1950s
and 1960s indicating dependence of Britain.
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Willingness of Thatcher to agree to US raid on Libya in 1986 demonstrated extent to
which Britain dependent on US and lacked independent initiative.
Influence of Britain not dependent on the “special relationship” with the USA
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Britain was permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations and this
provided it with degree of political influence across the globe.
Throughout this period Britain retained a relatively strong economy and with significant
defence expenditure this provided it with influence across globe.
In 1957 Britain acted on its own during the Malaya Emergency and was able to crush
Communist insurgents without the involvement of the USA.
In 1979 Britain resolved the crisis over Rhodesia with diplomatic skills of Lord Carrington
(acting independently of US Secretary of State Kissinger).
Britain able to exert international influence without the US as during 1960s Wilson
resisted pressure of Johnson to commitment UK troops to Vietnam.
Britain able to act independently from US as in 1973 Heath refused to allow US forces to
use British bases to bomb Arab states fighting Israel.
In Suez Crisis of 1956 Britain acted independently with operation to invade Canal Zone
being military success even though the USA was outraged.
Thatcher took action over the invasion of the Falklands by Argentina in 1982 even though
US reluctant as Reagan supportive of Argentine dictatorship.
From the 1950s Commonwealth came to replace the Empire and through the leadership of
Elizabeth II Britain had degree of “soft” influence in the world
Throughout period from 1951 Britain had only independent nuclear deterrent and although
US helped country to obtain it still had degree of influence.
Decision of Britain to join the EEC in 1973 provided country with degree of international
influence with organisation (especially with expansion in 1990s)
Ability of Britain to act on own in the EU with Treaty of Maastricht (1991) under Major
and resist Single Currency (Blair/Brown) indicated independence
Britain able to act independently without US involvement when dealing with some of its
colonial problems such as crisis over Sierra Leone during 2000.
Conclusion
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Special relationship was pursued by Britain out of historical reasons which emerged from
World War II but extent of it depended on political leaders.
Tendency to be the dominant force policy when Atlanticists in power (MacMillan,Wilson,
Callaghan,Thatcher and Blair) but not sign of dependence.
All Atlanticists were able to act independently beyond special relationship and exert
influence on their own within international affairs without the United States
More independent minded leaders such as Eden and Heath who did not view the special
relationship as being as important were not necessarily stronger
Under Eden position of Britain weakened in Suez Crisis in 1956 & Heath and pro Europe
stance led to lack of influence within the Commonwealth.
Possible to argue that special relationship only had influence & meaning when Britain and
United States had common interests such as in the Cold War.