How successful was Conservative foreign policy between 1957 and 1964? In this lesson, we will: Describe the aims of Macmillan’s government for Britain’s foreign relations. Assess to what extent his government met these aims. Starter: This cartoon was drawn by Michael Cummings. It shows U.S. President John F. Kennedy. In his pocket are the ‘Six’ of the EEC.

What were Macmillan’s foreign policy aims? Keep Britain as a strong nuclear power in the world Repair the ‘Special Relationship’ with the United States Ensure a smooth process of ‘decolonisation’ Maintain Britain’s role as a strong power on the global stage Ensure Britain becomes part of the European Economic Community (EEC)

Did Macmillan keep Britain a strong nuclear power? Macmillan believed that one way to encourage such co-operation would be for the United Kingdom to speed up the development of its own hydrogen bomb, which was successfully tested on 8 November 1957. Following this, in 1958 Macmillan signed the US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement. This made fully developed and tested American designs available more quickly and more cheaply POLARIS missiles placed at Holy Loch, near Glasgow allowed Britain to be a major nuclear power in the world.

However… Britain could never compete technologically with the United States. They successfully tested hydrogen bombs whilst Britain just developed atomic technology. The UK could only maintain nuclear superiority in the world by relying on both US money and technology. Under the 1958 treaty, the UK allowed POLARIS missiles to be based at Holy Loch, near Glasgow. Not only did POLARIS show that Britain was dependent on the USA, it also showed that the US had influence over the UK. Britain was opposed the decision as it was too close to Glasgow. Macmillan bowed to pressure from the US and allowed Polaris submarines to sail into Holy Loch in March 1961. There was massive opposition to nuclear weapons within the UK e.g. CND, left wing of the Labour Party etc.

Did Macmillan maintain Britain’s role as a strong world power? He played an important part in reducing tension between the USSR and USA in the early 1960s over Berlin. Three months after Khrushchev's ultimatum in 1958 for the West to pull out of Berlin, Macmillan travelled to Moscow and convinced the USSR to negotiate with the USA at Camp David During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Macmillan received regular phone calls from Kennedy. Kennedy spoke to Macmillan and explained that an invasion of Cuba risked Soviet retaliation action against Berlin. The crisis presented opportunities for British diplomacy, including mobilising support for the US in the UN and among European and Commonwealth allies. Macmillan was committed to curbing the arms race and played a major role in negotiating the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963.

Did Macmillan repair the ‘Special Relationship’? He worked to narrow the rift with the United States, where his wartime friendship with Eisenhower was key; the two had a productive conference in Bermuda in March 1957. As PM, Macmillan allowed the Americans to station nuclear missiles on British soil (POLARIS was positioned at Holy Loch near Glasgow). He also built a strong relationship with President Kennedy and repaired relations post-Suez. Throughout the Cold War, Britain worked in collaboration with the United States to deal with the Soviet Union Macmillan committed Britain to the ideas of the Truman Doctrine by curbing any spreading of Communism in the Middle East. In the Middle East, faced by the 1958 collapse of the Baghdad Pact and the spread of Soviet influence, Macmillan acted decisively to restore the confidence of Persian Gulf allies, using the RAF to defeat a revolt backed by Saudi Arabia and Egypt against the Sultan of Oman

Did Macmillan ensure a smooth process of decolonisation? Macmillan’s government took a predominant role in the dismantling of the British Empire. Despite protests from the right-wing of his party (e.g. League of Empire Loyalists), Macmillan recognised that the age of imperialism had passed. After fighting for the right of individual freedom in the Second World War, it was no longer right for Britain to impose itself on another nation. Macmillan summed this up in 1960, when he spoke of the need to recognise “the wind of change” blowing through Africa. Macmillan backed up his words by presiding over a period when all its colonies in Africa were granted independence.

Learning Task One Cut out and read each of the 16 boxes on British foreign policy. Categorise them into evidence of strength and evidence of weakness. Beside each draw a small symbol to show whether it refers to: Special Relationship Empire Nuclear World reputation