British Governments 1945-1990

Clement Attlee, Labour

PM from 1945-1951

• Believed empire was needed to remain a world power.
• Wanted to maintain a good relationship with the US.
• Didn't want European integration- sees Empire as more important.
• Wanted to defeat Communism.

Key events in this time:

• Decolonisation of India (1947) and Palestine (1948)
• Joined intergovernmental organisations e.g. OEEC and Council of Europe
• Joined NATO
• Colonial Development scheme e.g. East Africa Ground Nut Scheme

Winston Churchill, Conservative

Served as PM 1951-55

• Wanted a United States of Europe
• Wanted to maintain a good relationship with US
• Fought Communism 
• Wanted to maintain British Empire.

Key events:

• Sent troops to fight against Communism in Korean War.
• Didn't join supranational organisations such as EDC and ECSC.
• Malayan Emergency (1948-1960)

Anthony Eden, Conservative

Served as PM 1955-57

• Wanted to maintain good relationship with US.
• Didn't want close links with Europe.
• Wanted to maintain the British Empire.

Key Events

• Suez Crisis - fell out with US.
• Restored relationship with US by end of 1950's.
• Didn't accept the Treaty of Rome or join the EEC in 1957.
• The Suez Crisis sped up decolonisation.

Harold Macmillan, Conservative

Served as PM 1957-63

• Maintained a good relationship with the US.
• Wanted closer integration with Europe to solve economic problems in Britain.
• Recognised nationalism as a problem in the empire and encouraged decolonisation.

Key Events:

• Shared nuclear secrets with US and bought Polaris. (1963)
• Founded EFTA to promote trade (1959)
• Applied to EEC but wanted to keep special terms - application failed. (1961)
• Winds of Change speech (1960)

Harold Wilson, Labour

Served as PM 1964-70

• Wanted closer integration with Europe due to economic difficulties.
• Was willing to accept Treaty of Rome.

Key Events:

• Applies to join EEC in 1967 -  fails as De Gaulle saw Britain's economic weakness as their only reason to apply.
• Devaluation of the sterling (1967) - convinced De Gaulle that economy was still weak. 
• De Gaulle falls from power (1969) - left door open for Britain to reapply to EEC.

Edward Heath, Conservative

Served as PM 1970-74

• Pro-European - believed joining the EEC would bring prosperity to the country.

Key events:

• Applied to EEC 1970 - successful.
• Played down relationship with US to appeal to the EEC.
• Talks stalled over agriculture so Heath interevenedby holding talks with French PM Georges Pompidou. Pompidou trusted Heath so agreed to admit UK to EEC.
• UK join EEC (1st Jan 1973).
• Labour referendum by Wilson on withdrawal from the EU (1975) - 68% voted to stay in EU.