A strained partnership? : US–UK relations in the era of détente, 1969–77

This is the first monograph-length study that charts the coercive diplomacy of the administrations of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford as practised against their British ally in order to persuade Edward Heath’s government to follow a more amenable course throughout the ‘Year of Europe’ and to convince Harold Wilson’s governments to lessen the severity of proposed defence cuts. Such diplomacy proved effective against Heath but rather less so against Wilson. It is argued that relations between the two sides were often strained, indeed, to the extent that the most ‘special’ elements of the relationship were suspended. Yet, the relationship also witnessed considerable co-operation. This book offers new perspectives on US and UK policy towards British membership of the European Economic Community; demonstrates how US détente policies created strain; reveals the temporary shutdown of US-UK intelligence and nuclear co-operation, and re-evaluates the US-UK relationship throughout the IMF Crisis. Drawing upon an extensive range of archival and secondary sources from both sides of the Atlantic, this pioneering book provides the first full-length study of the controversial personal relationship between Prime Minister Harold Wilson and President Lyndon B. Johnson, often drawing on material that has only recently been opened to the public. Whilst Wilson was a firm supporter of the idea of a 'special relationship' between Britain and the United States and wanted to use his dealings with the White House to strengthen his credentials as a world statesman, Johnson held the British leader in low esteem and disdained the idea of a 'special' Anglo-American relationship. Difficulties stemming from the Vietnam War, British economic weakness and the UK's abrogation of its world power status exacerbated the strain between Wilson and Johnson, leading to what was probably the most fractious and troubled of all the relationships between British prime ministers and American presidents. The work also explores the more general nature of Anglo-American bonds in this period, arguing that the impact of the substantive issues, along with the limitations of the relationship between Wilson and Johnson, led to a serious weakening of the high-level ties between Britain and the United States. This book will be of vital interest to students of British and US foreign policy, of Anglo-American relations, and summit diplomacy, as well as to those with an interest in Harold Wilson and Lyndon Johnson themselves

drawing Upon An Extensive Range Of Sources From Both Sides Of The Atlantic, This Book Provides The First Full-length Study Of The Controversial Relationship Between Harold Wilson And Lyndon B. Johnson. While Wilson Was A Firm Supporter Of The Idea Of A Special Relationship Between Britain And The United States And Wanted To Use His Dealings With The White House To Strengthen His Credentials As A World Statesman, Johnson Held The British Leader In Low Esteem And Disdained The Idea Of A Special Anglo-american Relationship. Difficulties Stemming From The Vietnam War, British Economic Weakness And The Uk's Abrogation Of Its World Power Status Exacerbated The Strain Between Wilson And Johnson, Leading To What Was Probably The Most Troubled Of All The Relationships Between British Prime Ministers And American Presidents.

A strained partnership?: US-UK relations in the era of détente, 1969–77......Page 1 Half Title Page......Page 2 Title Page......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 8 Abbreviations......Page 10 1. Introduction......Page 12 2. Re-assessing foreign policy 1969–72......Page 35 3. A year of discord 1973–74......Page 84 4. Wilson returns 1974–76......Page 139 5. All out of money 1976–77......Page 186 6. Conclusion......Page 221 Select bibliography......Page 232 Index......Page 238 This is the first full-length study of the fraught and controversial personal relationship between Prime Minister Harold Wilson and President Lyndon B Johnson, placed in the context of such issues as the Vitnam War, British economic weakness and the UK