Britain's position in the world - US and British relations

The relationship did seem to be close:

• Britain and the USA had strong ties of language, culture, trade and history.
• Churchill regarded the relationship as a 'special' one.
• They fought alongside eachother in WW2

50s

• '51-'53: British forces were fighting alongside America in the Korean War.
• Suez Crisis in 1956 demonstrated that Britain could not act independently of the US.
• Macmillan exploited his wartime friendship with Eisenhower and made it clear that US alliance was central to Britain's foreign policy.

60s AND 70s

• Britain's standing in the world was reduced by its economic difficulties and by the rapid decolonisation of its Empire.
  • This meant that America didn't value Britain as much as before.
• Kennedy regarded Macmillan as a political father…