Anglo American Relations Since The Second World War

The documents also reveal the way the concept of the 'special relationship' was used as a 'tool of diplomacy' on both sides of the Atlantic.

Since the Second World War, the idea of a special relationship between Britain and the United States has become a standard component of the political lexicon. This text looks at the reality of this, and at the future of this relationship.

Anglo-American relations have been a crucial factor in international relations for over two centuries. For most of that time dealings between Britain and the United States have remained co-operative, cordial, and supportive. In the beginning, however, relations were confrontational and discordant: the two nations waged war against each other twice_in the War of Independence and in the War of 1812_and have often disagreed over trade, finance, and foreign policy. This volume demonstrates the changing nature of Anglo-American relations and focuses, in particular, on the strengths and fragilities of the 'special relationship' that developed in the aftermath of the WWII and continues to the present day. The Historical Dictionary of Anglo-American Relations surveys Anglo-American relations from 1607 to the present and covers key events, individuals, and issues that have played a part in its history. Through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, appendixes, and hundreds of cross-referenced entries_with an emphasis on the political and economic relationship between Britain and the United States but also featuring the cultural links between the two_this comprehensive and easily accessible reference tool will delight those interested in the history of these two countries.

28 George H.W. Bush outlines the new international order: 'Address before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union', 29 January 1991 -- 29 Clinton deprecates the 'Special Relationship': B.M. Seener, 'Report and Retort: The Special Relationship is not flat', 8 August 2007 -- 30 Major's foreign secretary characterises the fallaciousness of the New World Order: 'Hurd warning over "slide into disorder": Foreign Secretary backs imperial UN and defends Britain's global role to justify permanent Security Council seat', 28 January 1993 -- 31 Blair, 'Doctrine of the International Community', 22 April 1999, Chicago Economic Club -- 32 George W. Bush inaugurates the war on terror, 21 September 2001 -- 33 George W. Bush declares that the United States willundermine the international 'Axis of Evil': State of the Union Address, 29 January 2002 -- 34 Obama and Cameron, 'The U.S. and Britain still enjoy special relationship', 12 March 2012 -- Further reading -- References -- Index

A critique of Anglo-American relations in the twentieth century in the light of the most recent research. It challenges many existing interpretations and argues that the basis of the Anglo-American special relationship was laid by Roosevelt and Chamberlain, that Roosevelt preferred Stalin to Churchill, and that the origins of the Cold War should be seen as a British education of the Americans to the Soviet threat. Suez is reassessed following the recent release of material in the Eisenhower Library. There is a consideration of the relationship of 'mutual interdependence' and why Wilson and Heath chose to move instead towards the European connection, as well as Mrs Thatcher's reasons for preferring the Atlantic alliance.

This book examines Winston Churchill’s role in the creation and development of the Anglo–American special relationship. Drawing together world leading and emergent scholars, this volume offers a critical celebration of Churchill’s contribution to establishing the Anglo–American special relationship. Marking the seventieth anniversary of Churchill’s pronouncement in 1946 of that special relationship in his famous Iron Curtain speech, the book provides new insights into old debates by drawing upon approaches and disciplines that have hitherto been marginalised or neglected. The book foregrounds agency, culture, values, ideas and the construction and representation of special Anglo–American relations, past and present. The volume covers two main themes. Firstly, it identifies key influences upon Churchill as he developed his political career, especially processes and patterns of Anglo–American convergence prior to and during World War Two. Second, it provides insights into how Churchill sought to promote a post-war Anglo–American special relationship, how he discursively constructed it and how he has remained central to that narrative to the present day. From this analysis emerges new understanding of the raw material from which Churchill conjured special UK–US relations and of how his conceptualisation of that special relationship has been shaped and re-shaped in the decades after 1946. This book will be of much interest to students of Anglo–American relations, Cold War Studies, foreign policy, international history and IR in general.

Anglo-American Attitudes is a pioneering study of Anglo-American connections in their widest sense. Previous studies of Anglo-American relations have focused narrowly on official government-to-government contacts rather than on other kinds of less formal links. This book redresses that imbalance by examining not only diplomatic relations, but also a wide variety of social, economic, intellectual and cultural connections. It is also the first study which examines Anglo-American relations over not just the few decades of the ’special relationship', but over the whole period since the American Revolution. The book opens up many new themes and perspectives which illuminate the evolution of bilateral relations, mutual perceptions and the comparative development of both nations. Anglo-American Attitudes will be invaluable not only for students of British and American history, but also for anyone who wants to understand the complex nature of an association which has played a key role in the evolution of the modern world.