The Economic Cold War: America, Britain and East-West Trade, 1948-63 (Cold War History)

This book provides a new interpretation of the economic dimension of the Cold War. It examines Anglo-American trade diplomacy towards the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. The book, which is based on research in American and British archives, presents new evidence to suggest that Anglo-American relations in East-West trade were characterized by friction and conflict as the two countries clashed over divergent commercial and strategic perceptions of the Soviet Union. Cover......Page 1 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 List of Abbreviations......Page 9 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1 The Origins of Economic Containment, 1947–48......Page 22 2 The Response: Britain, Western Europe and East–West Trade, 1948–49......Page 37 3 Divergent Strategies: American and British Economic Defence Policies in 1950......Page 54 4 Compromise: America, CoCom and the Extension of the East–West Trade Embargo, 1950......Page 69 5 Trade or Aid? American Isolationists and East–West Trade, 1950–51......Page 84 6 Troubled Partners: Anglo-American Relations and the Battle Act in 1952......Page 101 7 Relaxing the Embargo: Eisenhower, Churchill and East–West Trade, 1953–54......Page 122 8 Economic Containment for the ‘Long Haul’, 1953–61......Page 139 9 Conflict and Conciliation: Kennedy, Macmillan and East–West Trade, 1961–63......Page 170 10 Conclusion......Page 193 Notes and References......Page 200 Bibliography......Page 229 B......Page 239 C......Page 241 E......Page 242 G......Page 244 K......Page 245 N......Page 246 R......Page 247 S......Page 248 U......Page 249 Z......Page 250 During the Kennedy years, American policy-makers considered French President, Charles de Gaulle, an obstruction within the Atlantic Alliance. Summoning a wide range of French and American archival sources as well as British and German materials, this book demonstrates that the structure and dynamics of the Franco-American relationship during this period were embedded in complex multilateral relationships within the Western Alliance. The book argues that differences between France and the United States during the early 1960s were the outcome of a series of mutually reinforcing security and economic problems, driven by domestic agendas, and shaped by differing conceptions about the containment of the Soviet Union and Germany. Dr. Mahan provides a subtle synthesis and definitive analysis of the key issues and events that generated conflict between Kennedy and de Gaulle: the Berlin crisis, British membership in the European Economic Community, a balance-of-payments disputes and nuclear sharing with NATO This analysis of US policy toward Indonesian nationalism argues that Truman's support for independence was based on his Cold War priorities and not principled backing for self-determination. It reveals how Eisenhower's New Look led to a disastrous CIA-backed intervention in 1957-58 and propelled Indonesia toward the Soviet bloc. Exposing the extent of Australian influence on US policy, this account reveals how the personal prejudices of Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles undermined the notion of rational policymaking. Annotation This book provides a new interpretation of the economic dimension of the Cold War. It examines Anglo-American trade diplomacy towards the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. The book, which is based on research in American and British archives, presents new evidence to suggest that Anglo-American relations in East-West trade were characterised by friction and conflict as the two countries clashed over divergent commercial and strategic perceptions of the Soviet Union