• First coined by Winston Churchill in 1946
(during ‘Iron curtain’ speech)
• Based on historical, diplomatic, economic
and military ties
1 of 14
The Special Relationship contd.
• Britain became close allies of USA during
early years of the Cold War
• Both committed to tackle the spread of
Communism across Europe
2 of 14
The Special Relationship contd.
• Britain relied on the financial support of
USA to help recover from WWII
• Keynes negotiated a $3.75 million loan in
1946
3 of 14
The Special Relationship during the Cold War
• 1945: worked together at Yalta and Potsdam conferences
• 1946 : Iron Curtain speech
• 1948: Joint British/US action during the Berlin Airlift
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The Special Relationship during the Cold War
contd.
• 1949: Britain joined NATO with the USA
• 1950: Britain sent troops as part of UN task force to Korea
5 of 14
The Special Relationship during the Cold War
contd.
• 1961-63: Macmillan formed a good relationship with JFK in this period
• 1962: Britain kept informed during Cuban Missile Crisis
6 of 14
Examples of when the relationship was placed under strain
• The USA did not share its nuclear secrets with
Britain after WWII, although they shared them again after 1958
• The Burgess & Maclean affair
7 of 14
Burgess & Maclean affair
B & M were two highly-placed officers in British intelligence who deflected to the Soviet Union in 1951. The revelation that British spies had been leaking secrets to Moscow worried the US, who became wary of sharing intelligence secrets with Britain
8 of 14
Other factors that placed the relationship under strain
• The Suez Crisis 1956
• Britain’s position in Europe
9 of 14
How did the special relationship manifest itself in Korea?
• At the end of WW2, the Soviets governed the north of Korea and the USA governed the south.
• In 1950, forces from north Korea, supported by the Soviets and China, invaded the south.
10 of 14
Korea contd.
• The UN condemned the action and sent forces to combat the invasion.
• Over 20 countries supplied troops. Britain sent over 90,000 soldiers- the second biggest contingent after the US.
11 of 14
Korea contd.
• There was heavy fighting, resulting in a stalemate. A ceasefire was agreed in 1953. Over 1,000 British troops had died. Under the terms of the ceasefire, it was agreed that Korea would be split between a communist North Korea and a non-communist South
12 of 14
Korea contd.
• The Korean War showed how the Cold War was being fought across the whole world.
• It also demonstrated Britain's willingness to continue to play a major role in world affairs, despite economic constraints.
13 of 14
Korea contd.
• However, it was also clear that the US was the greater power.
14 of 14
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
The Special Relationship contd.
Back
• Britain became close allies of USA during
early years of the Cold War
• Both committed to tackle the spread of
Communism across Europe
Card 3
Front
The Special Relationship contd.
Back
Card 4
Front
The Special Relationship during the Cold War
Back
Card 5
Front
The Special Relationship during the Cold War
contd.
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