Anglo-American Relations in the Twentieth Century : The Policy and Diplomacy of Friendly Superpowers

The relationship between Britain and America has been the most important bilateral relationship the world has ever seen. Dobson's concise and readable book covers the whole of this century and employs selected historical detail to expose the special relationship in its true light and in all its complexity. Dobson rejects tha claim that the US was ever hegemonical. Its realtionship with Britain - over the Suez Crisis and Iran in the 1960s and grenada in 1983 - clearly demonstrates that it had to bargain and did not always get its way. However, the two nations co-operated in every major crisis from the Great to the Gulf war, and together promoted liberal democracy and capitalism. The story reveals both more interdependence and conflict than has been recognised in the past. Nuclear, intelligence defence and other links betwen the USA and Britain continue to this day, but the importance of the `special relationship' has diminished for both countries. Have common interests disappeard to an extent that the scope for bilateral cooperation has diminished to insignificince ? It is in addressing this question that Dobson draws his conclusions. Coverning defence, economic, political and personal aspects of Anglo-US realtions, this book will be indispensible for students of twentieth century American and British history and international relations. Since The Beginning Of This Century, Britain And The United States Have Succeeded In Co-operating In Every Major Crises From The First World War To The Gulf War. And While No Other Superpowers In History Have Managed To Avoid Hostility, It Would Be Misleading To Assume That There Have Not Been Difficult Times. Anglo-american Relations In The Twentieth Century Investigates The Relationship Between Britain And The United States In Detail. It Explores The Defense, Economic And Political Policies Of The Two Countries Since The Turn Of The Century. Alan P. Dobson's Detailed Research Undermines The Common Assumptions Of Us Hegemony And The Demise Of The Special Relationship. His Analysis Leads Him To Conclude That This Is The Most Important Bilateral Relationship In History. His Book Will Be Invaluable To All Those Interested In The History And Politics Of The Two Countries. 1. The Lion And The Eagle: Of Twisted Tails And Plucked Feathers. A Brief Digression On Method. Identifying The Contours Of The Relationship -- 2. Assertion And Response 1900-19. Resolving Differences And Changing Defence Policies. Economic Rivalry. The Impact Of War. Associated But Not Allied -- 3. Stability And Change 1919-39. Debts, Navies And Economic Policies 1920-5. Security And Economic Depression 1925-34. The Dictates Of Sentiment And The Needs Of Self-interest 1934-9 -- 4. In War And Cold War 1939-51. Intelligence, Atomic And Military Co-operation 1941-5. Personal Relations. Postwar Security Plans. Economic Policy. An Incomplete Restoration Of Special Relations 1946-51 -- 5. Conservatively Special 1951-61. Churchill And Truman; Churchill And Eisenhower 1951-5. The Far And Middle East. Suez And Its Consequences 1956-61. Into The 1960s -- 6. Years Of Transition 1961-79. Economic Policies. Nuclear Defence. Sterling, Defence And Bretton Woods 1964-70. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Acknowledgements......Page 8 The lion and the eagle: of twisted tails and plucked feathers......Page 10 Identifying the contours of the relationship......Page 12 Assertion and response 1900 19......Page 26 Resolving differences and changing defence policies......Page 27 Economic rivalry......Page 38 The impact of war......Page 40 Associated but not allied......Page 44 Stability and change 1919 39......Page 51 Debts, navies and economic policies 1920 5......Page 56 Security and economic depression 1925 34......Page 64 The dictates of sentiment and the needs of self-interest 1934 9......Page 76 In war and Cold War 1939 51......Page 81 Intelligence, atomic and military co-operation 1941 5......Page 82 Personal relations......Page 87 Economic policy......Page 90 An incomplete restoration of special relations 1946 51......Page 99 Conservatively special 1951 61......Page 110 Churchill and Truman; Churchill and Eisenhower 1951 5......Page 111 The Far and Middle East......Page 120 Suez and its consequences 1956 61......Page 126 Into the 1960s......Page 130 Years of transition 1961 79......Page 133 Economic policies......Page 134 Nuclear defence......Page 136 Sterling, defence and Bretton Woods 1964 70......Page 140 On losing one's way 1970 4......Page 148 Picking up the pieces 1974 9......Page 152 Interests and sentiment 1980 95, and beyond......Page 157 Reagan and Thatcher 1981 9......Page 159 Changes and re-adjustments 1990 5......Page 171 Concluding observations......Page 173 Notes......Page 180 Bibliography......Page 193 Index......Page 201 The relationship between Britain and America has been the most important bilateral relationship the world has ever seen. Anglo-American Relations in the Twentieth Century covers the whole of this century and employs selected historical detail to expose this complex relationship in its true light.Dobson rejects the claim that the US was ever hegemonical. He explores the special relationship between the two nations paying close attention to: * the First World War* inter-war economic relations* the Suez Crisis* Iran in the 1960s* Grenada in 1983* the Gulf WarThese events clearly demonstrate that America has had to bargain with Britain, not always get its way. However, the two nations have co-operated in every major crisis from the Great to the Gulf war, and together promoted liberal democracy and capitalism. This story reveals both more interdependence and conflict than has been recognised in the past.Nuclear, intelligence, defence and other links between the USA and Britain continue to this day, but the importance of the `special relationship' has diminished for both countries. Have common interests disappeared to an extent that the scope for bilateral cooperation has diminished to insignificance ?