Download “Ukraine” Open International University of Human Development The

“Ukraine”
Open International University
of Human Development
The Institute of Law and Social Relations
The Chair of International Information
Khyzhnyak Igor A.
HISTORICAL, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL
BACKGROUND OF GREAT BRITAIN AND
COMMONWEALTH OF NATIONS
Educational and Methodical Complex
of Expanded Course Syllabus,
Seminars and Independent Students’
Research Formats
Kyiv 2013
Recommended at the Chair of International Information meeting, protocol
№ 7 May 31, 2013
Authorized for publication by Methodical Council of «Ukraine» University.
(protocol № 5 June 27, 2013)
Elaborated by Khyzhnyak Igor A., doctor of historical science, professor of world
history and international relations; doctor of political science, professor of political
science; academician of Ukrainian Academy of political science.
Reviewer: Makarenko E.A., doctor of political science, professor, Honoured
Scientist and Engineer of Ukraine.
Khyzhnyak Igor A. Expanded Course Syllabus. Historical, Social and Political
Background of Great Britain and Commonwealth of Nations. Contend of the Course,
Seminars and Independent Students` Research Formats. – K.:
Table of contents
Brief Outline of Contents and General Objectives of the Course………………
Thematic Plan of the Course………………………………………………………
Expanded Course Syllabus. Content of the Course………………………………
Questions for Tests …………………………………………………………………
Seminars Format of the Course. Methods of Performing…………………………
Independent Students’ Research Format. Approaching the Study of the Course..
Glossary………………………………………………………………………………
Recommended Literature……………………………………………………………
Brief Outline of Contents and General Objectives of the Course
The programme is an attempt to outline historical, social and political
background of Great Britain and Commonwealth of Nations in the 20th and early the
first decade of the 21st centuries. It was compiled in strict accordance with the
syllabus and curriculum requirements for “Ukraine” Open International University of
Human Development and the Chair of International Information.
The outline of British historical, social and political background as well as that
of Commonwealth of Nations is intended:

to serve as a background for historycal, social, political and Commonwealth
of Nations research as well as their linguistic studies;

to make a study of English wordstock in its international, political and
historical development;

to arise students’ interest in semantic changes that words undergo in the
course of time;

to investigate changes that take place in the system of Europian and world
international relations within the period of the 20th century, beginning the 21 one.
Likewise the information thus provided might be found necessary in cases where
international historical, social, political and scientific background is required to
facilitate conclusions concerning prevalent stylistic preferences characteristic of
certain periods or certain conventional ways and modes of expression.
The international relations, historical, social and political information may be
found especially useful by those, whose interest takes them to the domain of
contemporary and political history of Great Britain and Commonwealth of Nations.
Concise at it necessarily is, and dealing with the more events and phenomena,
circumstances and ideas, the course might nevertheless provide data necessary for the
clarification of modern British international and political parade background, the
social need and cultural significance of various global commitments.
The list of books used is recommended for the benefit of students undertaking
independent research. It is also meant to suggest further reading to everyone
interested in the problems discussed here.
Thematic Plan of the Course
“Historical, Social and Political Background
of Great Britain and Commonwealth of Nations”
№
1
Names of themes and units
Total Lectures Semi- Independent
nars Students’ Reseach
2
3
4
5
6
Content Module 1.
Britain in the Years of the First World War and in Inter-War Years
4
I Home and Foreign Policies of Britain
Early the Twentieth Century
Unit 1. Liberal Reforms
2
12
Unit 2. The First World
2
War 1914–1918
II British Foreign Policy Toward States
of Versailles System
Unit 3. Paris Peace Conference, 1919
Unit 4. Inter-War Years
Unit 5. The Munich Agreement and Its
Failure
8
III Britain in the Second World
War, 1939-1945
Unit 6. Origins of War
Unit 7. Britain in War Actions
Unit 8. Conferences of the "Big Three"
Unit 9. Results of the War
14
2
2
2
12
2
2
2
4
2
12
4
Content Module 2.
Britain in Post-War Years and in Post-Soviet World
IV Britain and the World Since 1945
Unit 10. The World Late 1940 – The
1950s
Unit 11. Defense Policy
4
2
2
12
4
V British Membership in the European
Community
Unit 12. Britain and the 1957 Treaty of
Rome. The Creation of the Common
Market
Unit 13. Differences and Difficulties
with the European
Community (EC)
VI International and Political
Development in 1960s–1980s
Unit 14. Reasons for the Rapid Demise
of British Empire
Unit 15. Basic Commitments in British
Foreign Policy
VII Sources of Thatcher Conservative
Upsurge
Unit 16. Conservatism and the Rice of
Margaret Thatcher
Unit 17. Thatcher's Assertive Role for
the Nation in Foreign Policy
VIII Britain’s Foreign Commitments
within the System of "Pluralistic
Multipolarity" of the World Politics
Unit 18. Major's Claim Towards Closer
Co-operation with European Partners
Unit 19. Britain New Role in New
Europe and in "Pluralistic Multipolar"
Cosmopolitan World of World Politics
IX Empire into Commonwealth
Unit 20. Empire into Commonwealth
Total:
2
12
2
2
2
2
12
4
2
12
2
4
2
12
2
7
4
3
15
51
34
17
111
Expanded Course Syllabus
Content of the Course
“Historical, Social and Political Background of Great Britain
and Commonwealth of Nations”
Theme 1. Home and Foreign Policies of Great Britain Early the Twentieth
Century
Unit 1. Liberal Reforms. The Liberals securing a record majority, capturing all
the industrial areas with the exception of Chamberlains stronghold of the
Birmingham district. A successful adoption of a Trade Disputes Act far more
favourable to the workers than the Government had originally intended. The series of
social reforms associated with the name of Lloyd George.
[1; 9; 11–14; 17; 21]
Unit 2. The First World War 1914–1918. In June 1914 in Sarajevo a Serb
murdered the heir to the Austrian Empire. After the beginning of the war Great
Britain's more close approximation than any other of the great powers to the idea of a
liberal state. Almost unlimited free trade character of its commercial system. The role
of the small British Expeditionary Force in halting the main German advance into
northern France at Mons in August, then at the Marne in September 1914. The battles
between the principal Allies (France, Britain and Russia together with Japan in the
Far East, joined by Italy in May 1915) and the opposing Central Powers (Germany
and Austria – Hungary, jointed by Ottoman Turkey in November 1914). British
involvement into different First World War warfares. British major naval strategy,
based on a blockade of supplies to Germany which produced serious shortages and
food riots in Germany by the end of the war. German attempts to blockade Britain by
unrestricted submarine warfare. Anglo – French failures on the seafront. British
creation a mass Army to fight the main enemy land power on the main land front for
the first and only time in its history. The Great War became to be a unique social and
psychological trauma for Britain with her no peace time tradition of mass conscript
Army. America's declaration of war on Germany (6 April, 1917). This year appeared
to be the bleakest one of the war for Allies. The signing of Brest-Litovsk peace as
well as the decisive British victory at Amiens on 8 August 1918-basic data witch
convinced Germany to seek peace. Britain's getting major gains out of the ending the
naval threat by the surrender of the German fleet and the territorial and military
restrictions placed on Germany.
[1; 9; 11–14; 17; 21]
Theme 2. British Foreign Policy Toward States of Versailles System
Unit 3. Paris Peace Conference, 1919. Britain's great weakening in absolute
terms and particularly in its debts to America when the last dominated the Paris Peace
Conference. The production by five month-long Peace Conference of 1919–1920 that
concluded World War I the Treaty Versailles with Germany. Its denial Germany any
influence on the settlement and giving rise to late claims that it had produced a
"dictated peace". Its becoming a source of contention in international relations
throughout the inter-war years. Britain's major gain to end the naval threat by the
surrender of the German fleet. The territorial and military restrictions placed on
Germany. The setting up of the League of Nations and the placing of the former
German colonies under League of Nations, many of them effectively under British
control.
[1–4; 8–14; 19; 21–23]
Unit 4. Inter-War Years. British insufficient influence to prevent a reparations
burden, which was to inflict severe damage on the German economy, creating
conditions favourable to the later rice of Nazism, and precipitate the depression. The
inability of successive British Governments to deliver "a land fit for heroes" for its
nation. Baldwin's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Winston Churchill's emergence in the
British homefront. Economist's John Maynard Keynes's warnings that the country old
remedies of economy and restriction would make the depression worse. His
arguments in his General Theory of Employment Interest and Money for a greater
degree of state intervention in the management of the economy. The inter-war years
left Germany weak but with a strong sense of grievance and the impact of depression.
This all led it to a strong belief that the losses suffered in World War 1 had been
excessive and futile, contributing to the inter-war policy of appeasement. Entering the
War late, the USA secured the maximum profits with minimum damage.
[1–4; 8–14; 19; 21–23]
Unit 5. The Munich Agreement and Its Failure. British nonintervention in the
Spanish Civil War and in the Sino-Japanese War policy to be paralleled by a policy
of appeasement towards Adolf Hitler. Massive rearming of Germany in pursuit of his
territorial ambitions. Baldwin's succession of MacDonald and his acquiescence in
Italy's invasition of Abyssinia. Italy's taking leave the League of Nations, now
reduced to impotence. Hitler's incorporation Austria in Germany and demands of the
part of Czechoslovakia. The treaty signed in Munich gave Hitler leave to annex so
much of Czechoslovakia that the rest was defenseless. Unacceptability to Britain of
further German and aggression in Eastern Europe for it gave the Germans control
over resources large enough to allow them to dominate Europe. Nevertheless the
acquiescence in aggression was to become appeasement. On 23 August of 1939
Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Treaty of Alliance a Non-Aggression Pact
(the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact), agreeing secretly to partition Poland, and invaded it
on 1 September. The final failure of Appeasement pursuit by Britain and France
Churchill's becoming the spokesman and the counselor of those who believed that
was time to prepare in earnest for a probable war. Winston Churchill as the
charismatic head of a National Coalition Government whose bulldog persistence and
heroic speeches provided the inspiration needed in the backs – against – the – wall
mood of the time.
[1–4; 8–14; 19; 21–23]
Theme 3. Britain in the Second World War, 1939-1945
Unit 6. Origins of War. Britain's and France's declaration war on Germany.
Although Hitler did not expect it, Germany is widely accepted as being responsible
for the outbreak of war. Britain and France took no military action to defend Poland.
French strategy was based chiefly on the defense of the Maginot Line and British
strategy on support of France. Up to a point the Second World War resembled the
First. But the differences were easier to see than the resemblances. The powers were
differently grouped: Italy and Japan were on the German side; the USSR remained
neutral until the Germans attacked. The Second World War lasted even longer than
the other. It pressed harder on the civilian populations.
[2–8; 11–16; 20–23]
Unit 7. Britain in War Actions. Though the island was not invaded, the
population was more directly involved than in any former war. Of all the states
opposed to Germany Great Britain was the only one which fought throughout the
war. The Germans swooped on Norway and Denmark (April 1940). Weak and illfound British forces tried too late to defend positions on the Norwegian coast. The
British Expeditionary Force was ferried back from Dunkirk. The German air forces
engaged the RAF (Royal Air Force) in the Battle of Britain (July 1940). From July to
September 1940 under Hugh Dowding's Leadership RAF Fighter Command engaged
enemy formations, inflicting sufficiently severe losses to convince the Germans that
they had failed to secure air supremacy. On 20 August 1940 Churchill proclaimed the
Battle won. FDR openly supported Churchill, and in March 1941 instituted Lend
lease allowing Britain virtually unlimited access to America war materials. Their
meeting on board warships off Newfoundland for the Atlantic Charter declaration.
Fighting spread all over the world. The Pacific was as vital a theatre as Europe.
Britain's main naval campaign for the next two years was the Battle of the Atlantic
against unrestricted German submarine warfare, and its main land campaign was in
North Africa to prevent Field Marshal Rommel capturing Suez. Britain also
encouraged Resistance movements. On 22 June 1941 Germany attacked the Soviet
Union, and on 12 July 1941 Britain and the Soviet Union signed a Treaty of Mutual
Assistance. The Eastern Front saw the heaviest and most barbaric land fighting of the
war, occupying two-thirds of all the German armed forces. On 7 December the
Japanese attacked the American pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands.
Next day America and Britain declared war on Japan, and on 11 December, just as
German forces were repulsed from the outskirts of Moscow, Germany and Italy
declared war on America. Early 1942 saw the German-Italian-Japanese Axis at the
height of its power. Nevertheless, after three years of victories, the involvement of
the US and the USSR together with Britain meant that the Axis could not possibly
win a long war.
[2–8; 11–16; 20–23]
Unit 8. Conferences of the "Big Three". The advantage now lay with the
Allies. Churchill and Roosevelt agreed a policy of defeating Germany before Japan,
and together with Stalin as the "Big Three" co-ordinated strategy in a series of
Conferences throughout the war. The first meeting of the "Big Three", Churchill, US
President Roosevelt and Soviet leader Stalin, was held from 28 November to
1 December 1943 at Tehran, Iran. They discussed arrangements for the opening of
the Second Front in May 1944. On 6 June 1944 in Operation Overlord the Allies
opened their long-awaited Second Front in Normandy, the start of the liberation of
France. At Christmas time the last major German offensive of the war through the
Ardennes was defeated. In the spring 1945 the inexorable advance was resumed on
both Eastern and Western Fronts. The Second of the "Big Three" Summits was held
from 4–12 February 1945 in Yalta, the Soviet Union. It was crucial for deciding the
shape of post-war Europe at a point when victory over Nazi Germany was virtually
assured. In April 1945 Soviet troops reached Berlin, linking with American troops at
Torgau at the end of the month and cutting Germany in two. German forces
surrendered unconditionally to the Allies in Italy on 2 May and in Germany itself on
7 May 1945. The last of the "Big Three" wartime Conferences was held in a suburb
of Berlin from 17 July – 2 August 1945 after the end of World War II in Europe.
America was represented by President Truman, and Britain's new Prime Minister
Attlee took over from Churchill after 27 July. The major issue was the future of
Germany: it was agreed to give Poland a westward extention of the pre-war borders
of the line of the Oder – Neisser rivers; reparations were also agreed.
[2–8; 11–16; 20–23]
Unit 9. Results of the War. Mass bombing raids and naval blockade had
rendered Japan's position hopeless when the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima
and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945, together with a Soviet declaration of war and
invasion of Manchuria on 8 August, led to Japan's surrender on 14 August. Total
British and Imperial war dead were under half a million, of which only 144 000 were
British soldiers. In contrast the Soviet Union, which ended the war with its massive
armies dominating Eastern Europe, lost almost 27 million dead and the total on all
sides was nearly 60 million. Other aspects of World War II were virtually identical to
the earlier war, especially the creation of Home Front and command economy and the
acceptance of economic dependence on America. Britain (and the British Empire, the
countries of which also declared war without hesitation) was the only country to fight
against Germany – and later Japan-from the war's to its end, and without itself being
attacked first. Since the seventeenth century Britain has been preoccupied with the
Balance of Power in Europe and within its Empire. It now faced in entirely new
situation, a major turning-point in history as 1945 confirmed the judgment of 1918.
Virtually bankrupt, it began its slow but steady retreat from Empire, granting
independence and partition to India in 1947 and increasingly surrendering its global
responsibilities to America. Apart from this, with Eastern and Central Europe under
Soviet control and the onset of the Gold war, Britain's new military and international
commitments were increasingly dictated by the NATO Alliance to defend Western
Europe.
[2–8; 11–16; 20–23]
Content Module 2. Britain in Post-War Years and in Post-Soviet World
Theme 4. Britain and the World Since 1945.
Unit 10. The World Late 1940s – The 1950s. Long before the surrender of
Germany in May and of Japan in August 1945, it became clear that Britain would not
be able to compete on equal terms after the war with Soviet and American
superpowers. Both these countries had vastly greater military might than Britain. The
world was quickly dividing itself into two hostile camps, with a numerically large but
politically weak "non-aligned" group of nations in the middle. But although weak
economically, Britain still had great power expectations. She was one of only five
nations (along the USA, USSR, China and France) to have a permanent seat on the
UN Security Council, she presided over a vast empire and she was shortly to became
(in 1952) the world's third nation (after the USA and the USSR) to possess nuclear
weapons. A number of factors was responsible, principally the stabilizing (if not
destroying) of cold war relations with the Soviet Union.
[1; 3; 5; 7–9; 11–14; 17–22]
Unit 11. Defense Policy. Emergence of NATO (1949) did not lead to any
immediate reinforcement of British troops in Europe. This complacent picture was
overturned rudely by a series of events from the late 1940s. The successful testing by
the USSR of an atomic bomb in 1949 ended the Western monopoly of nuclear
weapons much earlier than had been anticipated. The invasion by North Korea of the
South was interpreted in both London and Washington as a Soviet – inspired move to
divert Western resources to the Far East, leaving the front door open in Europe to
further Soviet advance. Europe became indisputably the focus for defence planning,
the question of the organization and structure of the West's defence effort became
paramount. Other profound changes were meanwhile occurring in Britain's defence
thinking. Britain exploded its own atomic bomb at the Monte Bello islands off
Western Australia in October 1952. The explosion came as the culmination of a six
year operation initiated by a secret decision of the Attlee Government in 1946 that
Britain should not be left out of the race and should become a nuclear power. Other
preparations were well advanced on Britain own hydrogen bomb, initiated in 1952
and tested in May 1957. Consistent with the new policy, Britain also came to rely
more on arrangements for collective security and multilateral treaties. With NATO
and WEU in place in Western Europe, Britain built, up the Central Treaty
organization (CENTO), or Baghdad Pact, to defend the Middle East against possible
Soviet invasion from the North. This pact consisted of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and
Pakistan but in reality it never had much substance and shortly fell apart. In
September 1954 Britain acceded to another loose mutual defence arrangement, the
South Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), which consisted of the UK the USA,
France, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, The Philippines and Pakistan. With
NATO, CENTO and SEATO, the Soviet Union and China were effectively encircled
by anticommunist alliances. President Nasser's of Egypt unilateral nationalization of
Suez Canal, which was jointly owned by Britain and France. In July 1956, he placed
both nations in dilemma: to do nothing might be seen as a sign of weakness by their
colonial empires, to respond with force might invite international condemnation. The
military operation in November 1956 backfired badly, and Britain and France found
themselves isolated on the world stage. Most painful for Britain, her old ally the USA
was one of the strongest opponents of military action. It proved to be one of Britain's
last major overseas operations, until the Falklands War in 1982.
[1; 3; 5; 7–9; 11–14; 17–22]
Theme 5. British Membership in the European Community
Unit 12. Britain and the 1957 Treaty of Rome. The Creation of the Common
Market. During the first fifteen years after the war, Britain remained detached from
proposals to effect to a closer union. Attempts of British Government to join the
Common Market, Revision of main conceptions of economic policies in overseas
countries. In order to stand an economic confrontation with the Common Market
Britain founded "A European Association of Free Trade" with Sweden, Norway,
Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal as member countries. But this association
proved to be devoid of any organizational potential to stand competition with the
existing world. That's why the British government gave energy and mind to pave the
way for the Common Market. Great Britain was unwilling to join the Coal and steel
Community in 1952. Nor did Britain take part in the talks in Messina in Sisily in
1950. As a result it led to the 1957 Treaty of Rome and the creation of the Common
Market. Neither the Labour nor Conservative Party was keen on economic
integration.
[1; 3–8; 10–22]
Unit 13. Differences and Difficulties with the European Community (EC).
Britain applied unsuccessfully twice for the EEC but to her anger de Gualle, the
French President, first vetoed Britain's application in January 1963, arguing that
Britain was insufficiently free of overseas ties, especially to the USA. A second
attempt was made by the Labour Government of Harold Wilson in 1967, which was
subjected to a second French veto in 1969. The third attempt proved successful and in
January a Treaty admitting Britain into the EEC was signed; in January 1973 she
joined along with Ireland and Denmark. The EC that Britain joined in 1973 was far
more than an economic club. Britain's future in the Community was called into
question, however, shortly after her joining it. Labour returned to power in February
1974 and was deeply divided over Europe. The Thatcher Government tried to
establish a role in Europe and in Commonwealth which would not only confirm the
prominence of British influence in those groupings but also protect British economic
and diplomatic interests. In 1981 the labour Party Manifesto called for Britain's
withdrawal from the European Community. The most widely discussed change in the
terms of Community membership is the Single European Act, which was passed in
the UK Parliament in 1986 and which came into force Community – wide in 1987.
John Major's accession to power in November 1990 marked a more favourable
attitude towards closer co-operation with European partners. Most differences and
difficulties with the EU (EC) arise from a fundamental disagreement over whether
the EN should become integrated into a supranational federal Europe, or a
confederation based on co-operation between nation-states. British opposition to
European federalism is deeply rooted in British political philosophy, history, politics
and culture. Following the resounding victory of Tony Blair's Labour Party in the
election of 1 May, 1997, the question was immediately raised: would the new
Government be significantly more positive about integration? It is being very
unlikely that the UK would join a single currency in the life time of the new
Parliament.
[1; 3–8; 10–22; 24]
Theme 6. International and Political Development in 1960s–1980s
Unit 14. Reasons for the Rapid Demise of British Empire. The dispute erupted
at the Commonwealth Conference of Heads of Government in October 1987 in
Vancouver, Canada. Thatcher accused the banned anti – apartheid movement, the
African National Congress, of being "terrorists", while leaders such as Robert
Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia accused the Prime Minister of
sacrificing all moral interests for the sake of greed and British trade with South
Africa. Even non – African leaders such as Brian Mulroney of Canada and Bob
Hawke of Australia publicly joined in condemnation of British policy. Tensions
reached new peaks when in the summer of 1989 British crickers announced their
intention to take part in a "rebel" tour of South Africa. The release from prison of the
black African ANC leader, Nelson Mandela, Mrs. Thatcher welcomed his release, but
refused to support the maintenance of economic sanctions of the De Klerk regime.
Basic reasons for the rapid demise of the British Empire: 1. The British economy. 2.
Britain's eclipse as a superpower. 3. Nationalist movements.
[5–12; 14–16; 19–22]
Unit 15. Basic Commitments in British Foreign Policy. In their foreign policy
all the post-World War II governments of Great Britain had to take into consideration
certain factors that characterize the economic and political situation of the country. In
the first place, British opportunities for influencing international affairs were
drastically limited. Political forces within the country were assuming new attitudes
that had to be reckoned with. The theme of Churchill's speech made in Fulton, USA
on 5 March, 1946 was world domination and "association of English-speaking
peoples" was the means. Churchill's formulation the main points of the policy that
was named the "position of strength" policy, ultimatum being one of the favorite
features of strategy. In 1947 the so-called "Marshall Plan", ostensibly a benevolent
project meant to improve the economic position of post-war Europe through
American financial aid. In Europe the foreign policy of Attley's Labour government
was aimed at utilizing the defeat of Germany and Italy for consolidation of England's
leading role in European affairs. The German problem was a most crucial issue in
post war England. The problem of relations with other countries of Western Europe
became increasingly important by the end of the 1960 while British influence in those
countries was most startlingly diminishing. The situation when the Franco-West
German relations started deteriorating. Washington and London stated finding more
things in common with Bonn. Britain's inability to stabilize her balance of payments
and guarantee her economic development proved to be a serious hindrance disabling
her from European Economic Community membership. Participating in the
Commonwealth influences the foreign policy of a member state, though there cannot
be such a thing as an unanimous foreign policy of the Commonwealth. In the foreign
policy Great Britain's concern is show mostly for the Commonwealth developing
countries. The British government began to realize in the 20th century Great Britain
could no longer lead the way as it used to do in the 18th and the 19th centuries.
[5–12; 14–16; 19–22]
Theme 7. Sources of Thatcher Conservative Upsurge
Unit 16. Conservatism and the Rice of Margaret Thatcher. The economic
downturn and inflation of the Harold Wilson and James Callaghan years engendered
mood of disillusionment. It also strengthened a renewed suspicion of government and
its ability to deal effectively with the country's deep-rooted social and political
problems. Conservatives, begin long out of power at the national level, were well
positioned to exploit this new mood. It was a time when many British people were
receptive to their message of more effective government, strong national defense and
the protection of traditional values against what were seen as the encroachments of a
permissive and often chaotic modern society. This conservative upsurge had many
sources. The Thatcher government domestic programme was rooted in his belief that
the nation would prosper if the power of the private economic sector was unleashed.
A proponent of "supply side" economics, a theory which holds that a greater supply
of goods and services is the swiftest road to economic growth. Thatcher sought large
tax cuts to promote greater consumer spending, saving and investment. Supply-side
economists argued that a tax cut would lead to increased business investment,
increased earning and-through taxes on these earnings-increased government
revenues.
[3; 7; 9–11; 13–19]
Unit 17. Thatcher's Assertive Role for the Nation in Foreign Policy. In the
post-war period the chief aim of British foreign policy in Europe as well as in other
regions overseas has been the ardent inspirer and active participant of the NATO
military alliance. During the armed conflict between Britain and the Falklands in
1982 she had carried on a very prudent and at the same time aggressive policy to
preserve her influence there. Thatcher put forward the so-called "Its Our Land"
doctrine of the nineteenth century. The gist of this doctrine was as follows: Great
Britain considered to preserve her military presence in all her dominions overseas.
Thatcher personally inspired and directed military operations and fully confirmed her
political nickname the "Iron Lady". She also managed to set up new strategic bases in
the Latin America. The truth was that these military bases wouldn't go on to protect
effectively British interests in that area but for Thatcher's government that
chronological period was ripe to choose the most preferable time for extraordinary
Parliament elections.
[3; 7; 9–11; 13–19]
Theme 8. Britain's Foreign Commitments within the System of "Pluralistic
Unipolarity" of the World Politics
Unit 18. Major's Claim Towards Closer Co-operation with European Partners.
During the election campaign for the European Parliament was fought out in May
1994, and then Prime Minister, John Major, offered his version of the history of the
country whose Government he led. The British nation has a monarchy founded by the
Kings of Wessex over eleven hundred years ago, a Parliament and Universities
formed over seven hundred years ago, a language with its roots in the mists of the
time, and the richest vocabulary in the world. This is no recent historical invention: it
is the cherished creation of generations, and as the work is to be done to build a new
and better Europe, one must never forget the traditions and inheritance of nation's
past. Britain will never be left without the spirit sinking just a little, and it always lifts
the heart to set foot here once again. Although no longer a great imperial, Britain may
claim to be something greater: the center of a free association of sovereign
independent states: Canada, Australia, New Zealand and almost, all her former
possessions that have become independent since the World War II, including the
great republics of India and Pakistan, whose people form the majority of those within
this Common – wealth of Nations.
[7; 9–11; 13–16; 18–22; 24]
Unit 19. Britain's New Role in New Europe and in "Pluralistic Unipolar"
Cosmopolitan World. The realization of inevitability to set up fruitful attempts in
stimulating growing influence of Britain in the European Economic Community and
retain it's profitable ties with the Commonwealth countries. In the 1970s Tory Prime
Minister, Edward Heath, led Britain into the brave new world of European Economic
Community (now European Union); and though up till now Britain remains as
"awkward partner" of Europe, with the 1997 Election of a more "Euro-friendly" New
Labour Government of Tony Blair, there has been much speculation that this will
end. It is a crucial time now both for the EU and for Britain, when Europe looks to
London. It the nearest future Britain will be obviously found in the "heart of Europe"
among the leading EU nations. That is the real sense of "pluralistic unipolarity" of
contemporary cosmopolitan world. Cosmopolitisation of European as well as world
international politics is in progress.
[7; 9–11, 13–16; 18–22; 24]
Unit 20. Empire into Commonwealth. The story of Britain's Empire and the
gaining of independence by former colonial territories is of central importance to an
understanding of post-war British history and politics. To consider the causes of
decolonisation, it is necessary to distinguish two separate entities within the British
Empire. Commonwealth countries, formerly Dominions, were totally self-governing
and recognised as such since the Statute of Westminster in 1931, but they accepted
Britain's monarch as their head of state and followed Britain's lead in defence and
foreign affairs: these were, in 1945, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Eire and South
Africa. The second "part" of the empire was the colonies. The empire as a whole was
based on four main elements: 1. Partnership with the Commonwealth. 2. Dependence
on India. 3. Dominance in, the Middle East. 4. The Key importance of Britain itself.
In the early 1950s Australia and New Zealand joined in the socalled ANZUS pact
with the USA, from which Britain was excluded, and in general both countries, as
well as Canada, began to look more to the USA for protection than to Britain. The
pace of decolonisation quickened substantially from 1957. That year saw the first
grants of independence since 1948, to Malaya and Ghana. In the mid-1950s
independence for the bulk of the colonies was still perceived as many years away.
The British Government tried various expedients, including that of trying to link
several colonial together in a series of "federations", but such device broke down in
the face of internal" pressure for independence. The Thatcher Government obtained a
significant victory for the British prestige with its negotiations of an agreement for
legal independence of South Rhodesia, later renamed Zimbabwe, in spring 1980.
Commonwealth issues receded in importance until 1985–1986 when the problems of
South Africa and her policy of racial apartheid threatened to split the group. The
Thatcher Government refused to impose any financial or trade relations upon South
Africa.
[1; 3; 5; 7–9; 11–14; 17–22]
QUESTIONS FOR TEST
1.
When was a Trade Disputes Act adopted?
2.
Whose name is the series of social reforms associated with?
3.
What year did a Serb murder the heir of the Austrian Empire?
4.
What was the historical role of the small British Epeditionary Force?
5.
What were the principal Allies in World War 1?
6.
What was British major naval strategy based on?
7.
When was the Brest-Litovsk peace signed?
8.
When was the Paris Peace Conference held?
9.
What were the reasons for creation favourable conditions to the later rise of
Nazism?
10. Who appeared to be Baldwin's Chancellor of the Exchequer?
11. Give the name of the author of the General Theory of Employment?
12. Who secured the maximum profits with .the minimum damage after
entering World War 1?
13. Who was guilty of pursuing a policy of appeasement?
14. What country was taking leave the League of Nations?
15. When did Hitler's incorporation of Austria happen?
16. When was the Munich Pact signed?
17. Whose charismatic bulldog persistence did provide the inspiration needed
in the back-against-the-wall mood of the time?
18. Who declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939?
19. Who became to be responsible for the outbreak of World War II?
20. Did the Second World War resemble the First one?
21. What war did press harder on the civilian population?
22. What year did the Germans swoop on Norway and Denmark?
23. When was the British Expeditionary Force ferried back from Dunkirk?
24. What country was engaged in the Battle of Britain?
25. Who openly supported Churchill in March 1941?
26. What ocean did Germany undertake unrestricted submarine warfare in?
27. What year did Britain and the Soviet Union sign the Treaty of Mutual
Assistance?
28. When was the American pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor attacked?
29. What year were the German forces repulsed from the outskits of Moscow?
30. Was the German-Italian-Japanese Axis at its height late 1943 or early 1942?
31. When was the first meeting of the "Big Three" held?
32. What date and year was the Second Front opened by the Allies?
33. When was the second meeting of the "Big Three" held?
34. Whose leaders were deciding the shape of post-war Europe?
35. When was the last meeting of the "Big Three" held?
36. What decision was taken concerning Poland's borders?
37. What Japanese cities were subjected to atomic bomb attack?
38. What was the total British and Imperial dead during World War II?
39. What kind of policy has Britain been preoccupied since the seventeenth
century with?
40. Was Britain able to compete on equal terms with the Soviet Union and the
USA after the war?
41. When did Britain explode its own atomic bomb?
42. What countries did the CENTO Pact consist of?
43. When did Britain accede to the South Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)?
44. What military operation did backfire badly for Britain and France?
45. What country was the strongest opponent of the military action that took
place in July of 1956?
46. What problem of the story of Britain's Empire is considered to be of central
importance?
47. How can one distinguish two separate entities within the British Empire?
48. How many main elements was the Empire based on?
49. What year did the pace of decolonisation quicken substantially from?
50. What was the reason for the Thatcher Government to obtain a significant
victory?
51. What purpose was "A European Association of Free Trade" founded?
52. Why was Great Britain unwilling to join the Coal and steel Community?
53. Were the Labor or the Conservative Parties keen on economic integration?
54. How many times did Britain apply unsuccessfully for the EEC?
55. What year did Britain join the EC?
56. When did the Labor Party Manifesto call for Britain's withdrawal from the
European Community?
57.
What kind of document was the Single European Act?
58. Why did Thatcher welcome the release from prison the black African ANC
leader Nelson Mandela?
59. Why did economic downturn and inflation of the Harold Wilson and James
Callaghan years engender a mood of disillusionment?
60. What is the real sense of "pluralistic multipolarity" of contemporary
cosmopolitan world?
Seminars Format
of the course “Historical Social and Political Background of Great Britain
and Commonwealth of Nations”
Methods of Performing
Summary description: Undergraduate lectures and seminar format. The course
examines the changes of historical, social and political background of Great Britain
and Commonwealth of Nations. Emphasis is on research skills and topics of interest
to persons considering a profession with links to contemporary problems under
discussion.
Course and seminar content: Readings from required texts and research
materials of historical and current events in the problems under discourse; multivideo
resources, student – produced reports.
Aims: 1) to apply background knowledge on historical, social and political
matters concerned on Britain’s and Commonwealth of Nations’ dealings; 2) to
increase familiarity with sources of information on the problems under consideration;
3) to improve research and writing skills; 4) to find out about professional
opportunities linked to the problems of Britain’s and Commonwealth of Nations’
matters.
Requirements: 1) completion of all assigned readings; 2) participation in class
discussion on the readings; 3) successful completion of mid-term tests and final
exams; 4) submission of a 10–15 page research paper on a topic agreed upon the
instructor; 5) presentation of class reports on the papers and other topics, as
announced.
Grading exams – 40%, paper – 30%, presentation – 30%.
Problems for Discussion of the Seminars Format with the Supervisor
Content Module 1. Britain in the Years of the First World War and in
Inter-War Years
Seminar Class №1 (2 hours)
Units 3, 4, 5
British Foreign Policy Toward
States of Versailles System
1.
The Creation of Versailles and Washington System.
2.
The Structure of the British Empire. Profound changes since World War I.
3.
Britain’s acquiescence in Hitler’s Germany aggression in Europe.
Appeasement failure.
[1–4; 8–14; 19; 21–23].
Seminar Class №2 (4 hours)
Units 6, 7, 8, 9
Britain in the Second World War, 1939-1945
1.
“Phoney War” and its political character. “The Battle of Britain”.
2.
British-Soviet Treaty of Mutual Assistance and declaration war on Japan.
3.
UK’s participation in the “Big Three” co-ordinated strategy as well as long-
awaited stand in Operation Overlord opening the Second Front in Normandy.
4.
Empire’s experience of World War II.
[2–8; 11–16; 20–23].
Content Module 2. Britain in Post-War Years and in Post-Soviet World
Seminar class №3 (2 hours)
Units 10, 11
Britain and the World Since 1945
1.
Britain’s facing in entirely new sitation with the Balance of Power in
Europe and within its Empire to be a junior partner in a world split between the two
superpowers.
[1; 3; 5; 7–9; 11–14; 17–22].
Seminar class №4 (2 hours)
Units 12, 13
Britain Membership in the in the European Community
1.
Country’s unwillingness to join the Coal and Steel Community in 1952.
2.
The Labour and the Conservative parties positions on economic integration.
[1; 3–8; 10–22; 24].
Seminar class №5 (2 hours)
Units 14, 15
International and Political Development in 1960s–1980s
1.
The pace of decolonisation substantial quickening from 1957.
2.
The events in the Indian subcontinent and the winding down of empire.
[5-12; 14-16; 19-22].
Seminar class №6 (2 hours)
Units 16, 17
Sources of Thatcher Conservative Upsurge
1.
The Thatcher Government attempts to confirm the prominence of British
influence either in Commonwealth or in the world.
2.
Mrs. Thatcher position remaining lukewarm towards plan for further
integration in the monetary sphere.
[3; 7; 9–11; 13–19].
Seminar class №7 (2 hours)
Units 18, 19
Britain`s Foreign Commitments within the System of “Pluralistic
Multipolarity” of the World Politics
1.
John Major’s accession to power in November 1990 and marking a more
favorable attitude towards closer cooperation with European partners.
2.
The resounding victory of Tony Blair’s Labour Party of 1 May 1997 and
prolongation of adopted policy of being very unlikely that the UK would join a single
currency in the life even of the 21st century.
3.
Britain’s position as a power in Europe, but not a great power that can
dominate all others.
[7; 9–11; 13–16; 18–22; 24].
Seminar class №8 (3 hours)
Unit 20
Empire into Commonwealth
1.
The causes of decolonisation and two distinguished entities within the
British Empire.
2.
The four main elements the empire as a whole was based on.
3.
Reasons for creating ANZUS pact with the USA.
4.
Number of blows to Britain’s influence in the Indian sub-continent that
undermined her position in the Middle East.
5.
The basic reasons for the rapid demise of the British Empire.
[1; 3; 5; 7–9; 11–14; 17–22].
Independent Students’ Research Format
Approaching the study of the course: Students’ reading this part of the course
have already acquired information on the study of historical, social and political
background of Britain and Commonwealth of nations. But the subject is a big one,
and the ways of examining it vary enormously. In writing this complex of educational
and methodical studies the author has assumed a readership aware of a familiar
subject yet often unclear how the pieces fit together, how the system works. This
audience needs a general outline of the course key ideas that provides the store of
basic common information about the present delivery. But students also need greater
depth and unity in a subject all too often studied piecemeal. This depth is achieved by
providing as backdrops three different perspectives: historical, societal, and cross
national.
Content module 1. Britain in the Years of the First World War and in InterWar Years
Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Key notions, terms and set expressions to be known
 The Tories
 to be swept out by an overwhelming popular
vote
 The Liberals
 exhausting and inglorious anticlimax war
 The Boer Republics
 to secure a record majority
 The Empire
 a solicitor with the authentic chapel eloquence
 Home Rule Bill
(Lloyd George)
 Entente Cordiale
 to earn a reputation as smb’s main asset
 British Expeditionary Force
 to give insufficient power to smb
 General Theory of Employment
 to be unable to suggest any better method of
Interest and Money by Economist John
smth
Maynard Keynes
 to provide a pension for every British subject
 Paris Peace Conference
who had attained the age of seventy years, and
 The Treaty of Versailles with
whose income did not exceed £ 31 a year
Germany
 to evolve a political programme reduced hours
 League of Mandates
 the struggle was in full swing
 League of Nation
 to be on the verge of a conflict
 Peace of Brest-Litovsk
 to be determined to be powerful at sea
 The mobilization of the Home
 to drive closer to smb
Front
 Middle-class laissez-faire parties
 Baldwin’s Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Winston Churchill
 General Strike
 The crash of the New York Stock
Exchange in 1929
 The Treaty in Munich
 The Treaty of Alliance or
 Non-Aggression Pact (the
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact)
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to stagger from crises to crises
The pace of the arms race quickened
The heir to the Austrian Empire
with negligible exceptions
to play an imported role in smth
to execute outflanking maneuvers
business as usual
government ineptitude
to produce stalemate
conscription
57 000 casualties for little gain
to declare war on smb
The bleakest year of the war for the Allies
to lead to an armistice
Questions for self-control
1.
What was a third Home Rule Bill of 1912 about?
2.
What happened in June of 1914 in Sarajevo?
3.
What countries drew Britain closer to during the first decade of the 20th
century.
4.
What countries were British principle Allies during the World War I.
5.
What countries belonged to the coalition of Central Powers?
6.
What was the Shells’ Scandal about?
7.
Why was Prime Minister H. Acquit replaced by a second coalition deputy
Lloyd George?
8.
Why Britain found its strategy largely dictated by French needs to reclaim
their occupied territories?
9.
What British actions produced serious shortages and food riots in Germany?
10. What were the results of German’s attempts to blockade Britain by
unrestricted submarine warfare?
11. What made Britain to increase its focus on the Western Front?
12. How many men served in the British Armed Forces during the war?
13. How many millions of British and Imperial troops were killed and wounded
during the war?
14. When America declared war on Germany?
15. Why the year of 1917 was considered to be the bleakest one for the Allies?
16. When Peace of Brest-Litovsk was signed with Russia?
17. What country sued for an armistice on 11 November in 1918?
18. Why World War I in Britain led to significant extensions in the role and
power of Government?
19. Why by 1923 the British Empire stood at its largest extent?
20. What was the key idea of the General Theory of Employment, Interest and
Money developed by British economist John Maynard Keynes?
21. Which way the crash of the New York Stock Exchange in 1929 influenced
British economy?
22. Why Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned in 1938 from Meeting of
Hitler and Mussolini at Munich with an assurance of good intentions?
23. Why this acquiescence in Hitler’s attention was to become appeasement?
24. Why appeasement failed and Great Britain assumed German demands,
whereas they proved to be irrational and boundless?
25. What day of the year of 1939 World War II broke out?
Multiple Choice Tests (tick the variant you prefer)
1. In June 1914 in Sarajevo a Serb murdered the heir to:
a) the Russian Empire;
b) the German Empire;
c) the Ottoman Turkey Empire;
d) the Austrian and Hungary Empire;
e) the Saint Roman Empire.
2. During the first decade of the 20th Century Britain drew closer to:
a) Germany and Austria;
b) The USA and Japan;
c) France and Russia;
d) Canada and Australia;
e) New Zealand and South Africa.
3. Britain signed the Entente Cordiale in 1904 with:
a) France;
b) Germany;
c) The USA;
d) Italy;
e) New Zealand.
4. What countries were principal Allies of Great Britain in World War I?
a) Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Turkey;
b) The USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand;
c) Italy, Serbia, Spain, Bulgaria;
d) France, Russia, Japan;
e) Romania; Finland, China.
5. Despite their successes in the east, the impact of Verdun and Somme was
critical on:
a) Italy;
b) France;
c) Spain;
d) Germany;
e) The USA;
6. What country’s declaration war on meant that the Central Powers could
no longer win a long war?
a) Fairly-skilled French Army;
b) Ill-prepared Italian Armed Forces;
c) Stubbornly resisted Germany;
d) American mechanized objective Army division;
e) Badly-trained Swiss Air Force.
7. What country’s Army decisive victory at Amiens on 8 August in 1918
convinced Germany to seek peace?
a) Army of the USA;
b) Italian Army;
c) Russian Army;
d) British Army;
e) Bulgarian Army.
8. What country’s defeats on the battlefield and its home front collapsing
made it sueing for an armistice on 11 November in 1918?
a) Portugal;
b) Spain;
c) Italy;
d) Turkey;
e) Germany;
9. What country gained the full fruits of victory in World War II?
a) Great Britain;
b) France;
c) Russia;
d) The USA;
e) Japan.
10. What kind of policy was paralled to the Spanish Civil War and the
Sino-Japanese War?
a) a policy of settling down to a relative tranquility;
b) a policy of industrial plans for the main European countries to be
modernized;
c) a policy of appeasement;
d) a policy of preserving nominal equality of naval strength;
e) a policy of the economic situation to be deteriorated.
11. What was the name of the coalition leader in Great Britain who
acquiesced in the Treaty signed in Munich?
a) James Ramsay Mac Donald;
b) David Lloyd George;
c) Stanley Baldwin;
d) Neville Chamberlain;
e) Winston Spencer Churchill.
12. Pick up reference to the British leader of a prewar period that may
correspond to the characteristic for his political personality (add his name to the
variant you prefer):
a) He didn’t have much education. He worked hard but he also liked dancing
and go to the theatre;
b) A politician worked hard for little money and needed only four hours’ sleep a
night;
c) He was Commander –in-Chief of the army and fought the enemies in the
battle-field;
d) A politician when resigned did not want to and the latter was in tears when
left 10 Downing Street;
e) The Government was headed by the charismatic figure whose bulldog
persistence and heroic speeches provided the needed inspiration of the time.
Themes for Essaies
1.
The dominance of the Protectionist group within the Tory Party.
2.
The struggle for power in Europe and moving toward open war.
3.
Historical subsequences for Britain after signing the Entente Cordiale.
4.
The role of the small British Expeditionary Force in halting the main
German advance into northern France at Mons in August, then at the Marne in
September 1914.
5.
Why the year of 1917 is considered to be the bleakest one for the Allies?
Subjects for Discussion
1.
Positive and negative results of World War I for Great Britain.
2.
The role of the Paris Peace Conference and the Treaty of Versailles with
Germany in originating World War II.
3.
Britain’s participation in Hitler’s appeasement and acquiescence in
Germany’s domination in Europe before World War II.
Britain in the Second World War, 1939-1945
Units 6, 7, 8, 9
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Key notions, term and set expressions to be known
the Maginot line
the Ardennes
the RAF (Royal Air Force)
the “Big Three” Summits
the Battle of Britain
Nazi Germany
the English Channel
the European Axis members
Operation Sealion
the Balance of Power in Europe
Lend-Lease
to have immediate origins in the attempts under
Hitler to reverse Germany’s defeat in World
the Atlantic Charter declaration
War I
The Pacific theatre
to establish a German Empire over Europe
the Cape of Good Hope
to mark the final failure of the policy of smth
the Suez Canal
accelerated preparations for smth
Field Marshal Rommel
to agree secretly to partition Poland
Resistance movements
to take no military action to defend Poland
Special Operations Executive
to be not much larger than those of France and
British secret service
Britain combined
a Treaty of Mutual Assistance
to have a small but valuable lead in technology
the American pacific Fleet at
the powers were differently grouped
Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian
to inflict sufficiently severe losses
Islands
to allow smb virtually unlimited access to smb’s
Dutch colonies in South-East
war materials
Asia
to meet on board warships off land
German-Italian-Japanese Axis

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




the siege of Leningrad
the Axis
the Allies
the Big Three
the biggest Tank battle in history
the Battle of the Atlantic
operation Overlord
Second Front in Normandy
to spread fighting all over the world
to be repulsed from the outskirts of Moscow
to sign armistice
Question for self – control
1.
What were immediate origins of World War II?
2.
What countries had to guarantee Poland’s security in August of 1939?
3.
Did a Non-Aggressions Pact (the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) have any
connection with secret agreeing to Poland’s partition?
4.
Did Britain and France take any military action to defend Poland?
5.
Was German’s navy of real match for Britain’s one?
6.
What was French strategy chiefly based on?
7.
Did the USSR remain neutral in Poland’s matters until the Germans
attacked?
8.
Did the Germans swoop on Norway and Denmark in April of 1940 or on
July of 1941?
9.
Was the US a non-belligerent nation in March of 1941?
10. What country instituted Lend-Lease allowing Britain unlimited access to
war materials?
11. Why did Roosevelt and Churchill meet on board warships off
Newfoundland in August 1941?
12. Was the Pacific as vital theatre as Europe?
13. Did the action of Germany’s allies extend to Africa and Asia?
14. Did Britain encourage Resistance movements?
15. When was British secret service set up?
16. What did the Japanese do with the American pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor?
17. What policy did Churchill and Roosevelt agree of defeating Germany
before Japan?
18. When was the first meeting of the “Big Tree” held?
19. What happened on 6 June 1944?
20. Did Britain face in entirely new situation from the viewpoint of the Balance
of Power in Europe after World War II?
Multiple Choice Tests (tick the variant you prefer)
1.
Hitler’s breach of the 1938 Munich Agreement marked the final failure
of the policy of:
a)
aggression;
b)
neutrality;
c)
intimidation;
d)
appeasement;
e)
peace agreement.
2.
The abovementioned policy was pursued by:
a)
Italy and Spain;
b)
Germany and Finland;
c)
Britain and France;
d)
the USA and Canada;
e)
Poland and Bulgaria.
3.
What European state remained relatively neutral until was swooped on
by the Germans:
a)
Poland;
b)
Portugal;
c)
Sweden;
d)
Spain;
e)
the USSR.
4.
In 1940 the Germans sought to win air superiority over:
a)
the Atlantic Ocean and the Norway Sea;
b)
the Barents Sea and the North Sea;
c)
Korea and the Kuril Islands;
d)
Ireland and Scotland;
e)
the English Channel and Southern England.
5.
In August 1941 Roosevelt and Churchill met:
a)
to institute Lend-Lease;
b)
in White House to agree an armistice;
c)
in Westminster Palace to discuss the mobilisation of the Home Front;
d)
on board warships off New found land for the Atlantic Charter declaration;
e)
on board of the aircraft carrier for deepening relations between two states.
6.
In 1940 to support and stimulate Resistance activity in occupied
countries during World War II:
a)
the Central Intelligence Agency was organized;
b)
the Strategic Services body was established;
c)
Special Operations Executive (SOE) was set up;
d)
the KGB Institution was organized;
e)
the Military Intelligence Service was set up.
7.
The turning-point in the East came in January 1943 with:
a)
the Axis forces were victoriously moving forward;
b)
the victorious marching of Nazi Germany over Europe was thought to be
inevitable;
c)
the Axis forces were driven steadily back;
d)
a preliminary seizure of British, French and Dutch colonies in South-East
Asia;
e)
forcing Britain to divert troops from North Africa.
8.
German troops in Italy defended stubbornly and:
a)
the inexorable advance was resumed on both Eastern and Western Fronts;
b)
the armies settled down to an immobile winter;
c)
Anglo-Americans continued bomber offensive against Axis troops;
d)
Rome was not liberated until June 1944;
e)
London was harassed first by flying bombs and then by rockets.
9.
The United States and Britain were forced to acquiescence in:
a)
Axis members signed armistices;
b)
agreements were reached on German reparations;
c)
effective Soviet influence over much of Eastern Europe;
d)
last major German offensive of the war through the Pyrenees;
e)
victory of Nazi Germany over the Allies.
10. The last of the “Big Three” war time Conferences was held in:
a)
New-York city not far from the Wall Street Stock Exchange;
b)
the outskirts of London;
c)
the centre of San Francisco in the vicinity of Chief Justice office;
d)
a suburb of Berlin;
e)
Washington near American Association for the Advancement of Science.
11. The last Summit marked the hardening divisions between:
a)
Britain, the USA and the USSR;
b)
the USSR, Italy and Germany;
c)
France, Spain and Italy;
d)
the US, Britain and Japan;
e)
the USSR, Germany and France.
12. Since World War II ended, Britain’s new military commitments were
increasingly dictated by:
a)
slow and steady retreat from Empire;
b)
increasingly surrending it global responsibilities to America;
c)
the NATO Alliance to defend Western Europe;
d)
strengthened evidence of German and Japanese brutality in occupied
countries;
e)
the subsequent war crimes trials.
Themes for Essaies
1.
The 1938 Munich Agreement.
2.
Historical impact of a Non-Aggression Pact (the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact).
3.
Great Britain as the only one which fought throughout the war of all states
opposed to Germany.
4.
Battles of Britain – the Germans endeavour to force Britain to come to
peace terms.
5.
Britain’s participation in war action.
Subjects for Discussion
1.
Britain’s part in World War II origin.
2.
Britain’s role in the “Big Three” co-ordinated strategy in a series of
Conferences throughout the war.
3.
Britain (and the British Empire, the countries of which also declared war
without hesitation) as the only country from the war’s start to its end, without itself
being attacked first.
Content Module 2. Britain in Post-War Years and in Post-Soviet World.
Britain and the World Since 1945
Units 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Key notions, terms and set expressions to be known
 a European affair
 the biggest war in the history of mankind
 the Third Reich
 to be decisively beaten
 the Soviet and American superpowers
 to fight almost alone against the menacing
wills of the German and Italian dictators
 the former European great powers
 to compete on equal terms after the war with
 “non-alligned” group of nations
the USSR and the USA
 “Cold War” – the war of words and
 the war showed how dependent on other
propaganda fought between East and
countries for economic resources, and for
West
physical protection Britain became
 the Brussels Pact renamed in Western
 to jockey for power
European Union (WEU)
 to be indomitably opposed
 the European Economic Community
 each championing respectively the opposed
 the North Atlantic Treaty
ideologies of capitalism and communism
Organization (NATO)
 to become implacable enemies
 a Third World
 to divide into two hostile camps
 “V-bombers”
 The Victor bombers
 the Central Treaty Organization
(CENTO) or Baghdad Pact
 the South Asia Treaty Organization
(SEATO)
 the Suez crisis
 the Falklands War
 post-war British history and politics
 Commonwealth counties, formerly
Dominions since the Statute of
Westminster in 1931
 the ANZUS
 the African National Congress (ANC)
 the Coal and steel Community
 the Common Market
 the European (now European Union)
= the EU (EC)
 the high ideal launched by the United nations
(UN) superseded the ill-fated League of Nations
of the inter-war year
 to appreciate how devastating a blow the war
was to Britain
 the extent of the trauma
 the whole economy was severely dislocated,
with debts and loans much increased and exports
devastated, never fully to recover
 the war provided another decisive down ward
push
 to become (in 1952) the world’s third nation
(after the USA and USSR) to possess nuclear
weapons
 to become very much the junior partner in a
fairy cool “special relationship” with the USA
 need outstripped capability
Questions for self-control
1.
What country in Europe could not be able to compete on equal terms after
the war with the Soviet and American superpowers?
2.
Did Britain become depended on other countries for economic resources,
and for physical protection?
3.
Why did great power move away decisively from Europe?
4.
What nations became implacable enemies within months of ending the war
from 1941–1945?
5.
What happened to the world politics since 1945?
6.
Why did the United Nations supersed the ill-fated League of Nations?
7.
How devastating to Britain was a blow of war?
8.
Did
Britain
retain great power expectations
although weakened
economically and potically?
9.
Why did Britain resume the strain of maintaining its vast overseas empire?
10. Why did Britain find herself in 1945 not just only with a massive
accumulated debt but also in possession of over more overseas territory?
11. What were Britain’s primary objectives of defense policy, once the war was
over?
12. What was a number of factors responsible for, principally the stabilizing (if
not destroying) of cold war relations with the Soviet Union?
13. Why was the complacent picture (possible absence of pressing issues)
overturned rudely by a series of events from the late 1940s?
14. What events did cause predominant thought that a Third World War was
imminent?
15. Why did Britain together with the NATO build up the Central Treaty
Organization (CENTO) or Baghdad Pact?
16. Why did Britain accede to another loose mutual defense arrangement, the
South Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), in September 1954?
17. What were the origins of the Suez crisis?
18. Why did Britain reassert its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands?
19. Why did Commonwealth issues become of such importance for Great
Britain?
20. Why did British historical, social and political background remain an
important aspect for those studying English as a main subject and mastering
language?
Multiple Choice Tests (tick the variant you prefer)
1.
Long before the surrender of Germany in May and of Japan in August
1945, it became clear that Britain would not be able to compete on equal terms
after the war with:
a)
Belgium and Greece;
b)
The USSR and USA;
c)
Spain and France;
d)
Netherland and Portugal;
e)
The PRC and the RSFSR.
2.
What country became (in 1952) the world’s third nation to possess
nuclear weapons?
a)
China;
b)
Japan;
c)
France;
d)
Britain;
e)
Spain.
3.
What events altered the balance of power in the Far East late the 1940s
early the 1950s?
a)
the war outbreaks in China and Korea;
b)
the abortive coup in Vietnam;
c)
takeover in India;
d)
the riots on the Japanese islands;
e)
the agonizing happenings in Indo-China.
4.
What problems became to be the focus for defense planning in Britain
in the middle of 1950-ies?
a)
occurring in Britain backward thinking;
b)
depending on the new policy of aggressive expansion;
c)
emerging the full flowering of an old thinking;
d)
encountering the most traumatic episode in its post-war history;
e)
organizing of the West’s defense structure appeared to become paramount.
5.
What problem became the cornerstone of Britain’s defense policy?
a)
conventional weapons could be more sophisticated;
b)
nuclear weapons were a cheaper and better way of providing defense for the
future;
c)
thanks may be the item of acceptable compromise;
d)
multiple rocketlaunchers may appear to be more preferable;
e)
antiaircraft missiles are to be more effective militarily.
6.
How many countries were there included into Baghdad Pact? Define
them explicitly:
a)
there were five them, namely: the UK, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Pakistan;
b)
there were four of them, namely: France, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq;
c)
there were six of them, namely: the UK, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, China;
d)
there were five of them, namely: the UK, Turkey, India, Burmah and
Afghanistan;
e)
there were three of them, namely: the UK, Canada and Egypt.
7.
What was the successive loose mutual defense arrangement Britain
accede to:
a)
it was CENTO;
b)
it was NATO;
c)
it was SEATO;
d)
it was UNICEF;
e)
it was FIFA.
8.
What country organized bad back-fire for Britain and France during
the Suez crisis?
a)
the USSR;
b)
France;
c)
the USA;
d)
Germany;
e)
China.
9.
What British leader managed to turn the disaster into a diplomatic and
military victory in the year of the Falklands War?
a)
his name was Sir Anthony Eden in 1957;
b)
his name was Harold Wilson in 1975;
c)
his name was James Callaghan in 1979;
d)
her name was Margaret Thatcher in 1982;
e)
his name was Tony Blair in 1997.
10. How many countries were there in the ANZUS pact? Define them
explicitly:
a)
there were four of them, namely: the UK, the USA, the USSR and the PRC;
b)
there were three of them, namely: the USA, Australia, and New Zealand;
c)
there were five of them, namely: the UK, the USA, the USSR, the PRC and
the UAR;
d)
there were three of them, namely: the UK, the USA, and Germany, the
USSR;
e)
11.
there were four of them, namely: the UK, the USA, France and Germany.
The Thatcher Government obtained a significant victory for the
British prestige with its negotiation of an agreement for:
a)
launched by Gandhi the “Quit India” movement;
b)
a Muslim Pakistan (in an East and West) being separated from the
predominantly Hindu India;
c)
the haste of depature and the anti-British feeling within the new
Government led by Pandit Nehru;
d)
Lord Mountbatten being sent out to bring independence quickly and with
a minimum of bloodshed;
e)
legal independence of Southern Rhodesia, later renamed Zimbabwe, in
1980.
12.
Who of outstanding politicians a generation ago noted: “Britain has
lost an Empire, but has not found a role”:
a)
Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe;
b)
Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia;
c)
Brian Mulroney of Canada;
d)
Dean Acheton the US diplomat;
e)
Bob Hawke of Australia.
Themes for Essays
1.
The world since Germany was decisively beaten.
2.
The emergence of indomitable opposition between the USA and the USSR.
3.
“Cold War” – the war of words and propaganda between East and West.
4.
Britain’s submergence in the European Economic Community.
5.
Britain as a power in Europe.
Subjects for Discussion
1.
Ideological incompatibilities and political jockeying in the World politics
after World War II.
2.
British decline as the World political celebrity.
3.
Britain is a power in Europe, but not in the modern world.
Glossary
This glossary is intended to serve as a learning aid. Short definitions are given in
the text and other terms common to discussions of the historical, social and political
background of Great Britain and Commonwealth of Nations. These may help you
focus on particular terms, but for a full explanation, it is best to consult the text
discussion. Some listings in the glossary reflect ideas in the text, though are not
necessarily named as such.
balance of power In international relations, a relationship where opposing
alliances of countries are sufficiently equal that no nation or bloc is able to impose
itself on the others. Countries have sometimes sought to maintain an international
balance or equilibrium – as Great Britain did in the nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries.
bilateral aid Foreign economic or military assistance given directly by one
government to another. In contrast, multilateral assistance is contributed by a number
of countries to some international body, like the United Nations or the World Bank,
which then distributes the assistance to less developed nations.
consensus General agreement; like views held on certain issues; solidarity of
belief.
conservative As used in the contemporary Great Britain, opposed to great or
sudden change; the Conservative Party, the political party in Great Britain that
opposed great changes.
democracy Derived from the Greek word demos (the people) and kratos
(authority), democracy is a system of government in which ultimate political power
rests with the public at large; (country with principles of) government in which all
adult citizens share throught their elected representatives; (country with) government
which encourages and allows rights of citizenship such as freedom of speech, religion
of the rule of law, majority rule, accompanied by respect for the rights of minorities.
liberal Historically, the term refers to classical liberalism – a doctrine developed
in Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Politically in Great Britain
party that formerly formed the chief opposition to the Conservative party, favoring
democratic reforms less radical than those urged by the socialists.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). An alliance of the UK, United
States, established under the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949, as a collective defense to
balance the Soviet Union and its European satellites.
pluralism The concept referring to a society as composed of diverse interests
and groups which compete to achieve their social and political objectives and share in
the exercise of political power – as opposed to a condition of society where one group
or set of interests possesses disproportionate political power, to the exclusion of other
groups” interests.
Recommended Literature
1.
Cain P.J., Hopkins A.G. British Imperialism: Crisis and Deconstruction
1914–1990. – London and New York: Longman, 1993. – 337 p.
2.
Churchill W.S. The Second World War. Vol. 5–6. – Cambridge (Mass):
Riverside Press, 1953.
3.
Churchill W.S. A History of the English – speaking Peoples. Volume I. The
Birth of Britain. – London: Cassel and Company Ltd, 1956. – 416 p.
4.
Clarck G. English History. A Survey. – Oxford: Oxford University Press,
1971. – 567 p.
5.
Dinan D. Ever Closer Union. An Introduction to European Integration. –
Palgrave: Ulynne Rienner, 1999.
6.
Feiling K.A. History of England. – Great Britain: Book Club Associates,
1970. – 1229 p.
7.
Gilbert M.A. History of the Twentieth Century. Volume Three. 1952–1999.
– Porennial, 2000.
8.
Halliday F.A. A Concise History of England. – London: Thames and
Hudson Ltd., 1974. – 240 p.
9.
Jones В., Gray A., Kavanagh D., Moron M., Norton P., Seldon A. Politics
UK. Third Edition Great Britain: Prentice Hall, 1998. – 571 p.
10. Keaney H. The British Isles: a History of Four Nations. – Great Britain:
Cambridge University Press, 1993. – 237 p.
11. Mc Dowall D. An Illustrated History of Britain. – London: Longman, 1991.
– 188 p.
12. Pollard A.F. The History of England. A Study in Political Evolution
55 B.C.-A.D. – London, New York, Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1941. –
255 p.
13. The Cambridge Historical Encyclopedia of Great Britain and Ireland,
Edited by Haigh C. – Great Britain: Cambridge University Press, 1995. – 392 p.
14. The History Today Companion to British History. Edited by Gardiner J. &
Wenborn N. – London: Collins & Brown, 1995. – 840 p.
15. The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain. Edited by Morgan К.О. – Oxford,
New York: Oxford University Press, 1996. – 646 p.
16. Uniting the Kingdom? The Making of British History. Edited by Grant A.
Stringer K.J. – London and New York, 1995. – 310 p.
17. Bapriety J. Les Relations Franco-Allemandes Apres la Premiere Guerre
Mondiale. – Paris, 1997.
18. La Feber. America, Russia, and the Cold War. Fifth Edition. – N. Y: Alfred
and Knorf, 1985.
19. Kennedy P. The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers. Economic Change and
Military Conflict from 1500 to 2000. – N. Y: Random, House, 1987, Ch. 5, Ch. 6.
20. Keylor W. The twentieth-Century World. An International History. – New
York; Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992. Ch. l.
21. Mazover M. Dark Continent. Europe's Twentieth Century. – N. Y: Vintage
Boos, 2000.
22. Ovendale R. Why British Dominions Declared War // Paths to War. New
Essays in the Origins of the Second World War / Ed. by Robert Boyce and Esmonde
Robertson. – N. Y: St. Martin's Press, 1989. – P. 269–296.
23. Sharp A. The Versailles Settlement: Peacemaking in 1919. – London, 1991.
24.
Trachtenberg M. Constructed Peace. The Making of European Settlement.
1945–1963. – Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1999.