Difference in Labour and Conservative Foreign Policies between 1945 and 1964?
How different were the foreign policies of labour and conservative governments in the period from 1945-1964?
During the time period Britain was seen as the second while the two superpowers of the Soviet Union and The US were dominating. Both Labour and Conservative wanted to regain their status as a Great Power, however more changes happened under Conservative power.
Britain realised that after the war they had lost a significant amount of money which meant that they were in an economic downfall. This lead to what was known as “The Cold Winter” which lasted from 1946-47. Britain felt the need to work closely with the US as they were their best ally. They helped the US in many ways, one of which was by stationing American B29 bombs in East Anglia in 1946. This was seen to be necessary as Britain had many commitments worldwide and without economic and military support they wouldn't have been able to continue helping other countries.
However, by 1947 the Labour party decided to leave Greece as they realised they were unable to carry on helping them as Britain needed help themselves. In addition they also dropped out of India and Palestine who were part of their empire. This was seen to be the reason to why America created the Marshal Plan and Truman Doctrine in March 1948, which was to help any country who was capitalist with the aim to contain communism. In addition Britain and US relations strengthened when they worked together in West Germany alongside the French. This was seen to make relations better between them as they merged together as one against the Soviets during the Berlin Blockade and Airlift. Britain had also felt obliged to help America with the Korean war although Korea had no significance to Britain.
However these relations with the US changed significantly under Conservative power as Britain went against America by involving themselves in Malaya in 1951. The Suez Crisis was an important as it proved that the British had relied upon America
During the time period Britain was seen as the second while the two superpowers of the Soviet Union and The US were dominating. Both Labour and Conservative wanted to regain their status as a Great Power, however more changes happened under Conservative power.
Britain realised that after the war they had lost a significant amount of money which meant that they were in an economic downfall. This lead to what was known as “The Cold Winter” which lasted from 1946-47. Britain felt the need to work closely with the US as they were their best ally. They helped the US in many ways, one of which was by stationing American B29 bombs in East Anglia in 1946. This was seen to be necessary as Britain had many commitments worldwide and without economic and military support they wouldn't have been able to continue helping other countries.
However, by 1947 the Labour party decided to leave Greece as they realised they were unable to carry on helping them as Britain needed help themselves. In addition they also dropped out of India and Palestine who were part of their empire. This was seen to be the reason to why America created the Marshal Plan and Truman Doctrine in March 1948, which was to help any country who was capitalist with the aim to contain communism. In addition Britain and US relations strengthened when they worked together in West Germany alongside the French. This was seen to make relations better between them as they merged together as one against the Soviets during the Berlin Blockade and Airlift. Britain had also felt obliged to help America with the Korean war although Korea had no significance to Britain.
However these relations with the US changed significantly under Conservative power as Britain went against America by involving themselves in Malaya in 1951. The Suez Crisis was an important as it proved that the British had relied upon America