Anglo-American relations and the EC enlargement, 1969-1974
This thesis examines the ramifications of Britainâs negotiations to join the European Community (EC) on Anglo-American relations, 1969-1974. It adds to the historical debate by showing that strong Anglo-American political, economic, and defence relations continued under Heath and Nixon. The prevailing view in this area is that the British Prime Minister Heath sought to re-orientate foreign policy away from the âspecialâ Anglo-American relationship towards the EC. Moreover, it is believed that the Nixon presidency developed a sceptical view of an enlarged, competitive EC. Thus, the Heath-Nixon period is viewed as a low point in the post-1945 alliance because of the EC enlargement. However, while gaining entry into the EC was the top priority for the UK government, Heath and Whitehall sought to preserve close Anglo-American cooperation. Moreover, Nixon considered Western European integration and Anglo-American relations to be important components of the Atlantic Alliance and his Cold War strategy. Tensions did grow: over the substance of China and Middle Eastern policy, the unilateral dismantling of the Bretton Woods system, and the âYear of Europeâ. But these episodes also showed the strength of the
Brummer, J. A.
Anglo-American relations and the EC enlargement, 1969-1974. This thesis examines the ramifications of Britainâs negotiations to join the European Community (EC) on Anglo-American relations, 1969-1974. It adds to the historical debate by showing that strong Anglo-American political, economic, and defence relations continued under Heath and Nixon. The prevailing view in this area is that the British Prime Minister Heath sought to re-orientate foreign policy away from the âspecialâ Anglo-American relationship towards the EC. Moreover, it is believed that the Nixon presidency developed a sceptical view of an enlarged, competitive EC. Thus, the Heath-Nixon period is viewed as a low point in the post-1945 alliance because of the EC enlargement. However, while gaining entry into the EC was the top priority for the UK government, Heath and Whitehall sought to preserve close Anglo-American cooperation. Moreover, Nixon considered Western European integration and Anglo-American relations to be important components of the Atlantic Alliance and his Cold War strategy. Tensions did grow: over the substance of China and Middle Eastern policy, the unilateral dismantling of the Bretton Woods system, and the âYear of Europeâ. But these episodes also showed the strength of the
anglo_american_relation examines ramification britain negotiation join european community anglo_american_relation add historical_debate show_strong anglo_american political_economic defence relation continue nixon prevail_view area british prime_minister seek orientate foreign_policy away special anglo_american relationship towards moreover believe nixon presidency develop sceptical view enlarge competitive thus nixon period view low point post alliance however gain entry top priority government whitehall seek preserve close anglo_american cooperation moreover nixon consider western_european integration anglo_american_relation important_component atlantic alliance cold_war strategy tensions grow substance china middle_eastern policy unilateral dismantle system year europe episode also_show strength