The 'Special Relationship' Between The US and Britain

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In the years following World War II, many scholars argue the United States and Britain have been bonded by a ‘special relationship.’ Since 1945, this relationship has resulted in several policies, both domestic and foreign. The ‘special relationship’ includes aspects in finances, allied forces during the Cold War, similar cultures and even personal relationships between leaders.
Following World War II, Britain experienced several years of hardships. Due to the high cost of war the UK lost nearly a quarter of its national wealth. In result of this substantial reduction in funds, many British citizens lived in conditions requiring rations. Something had to be done to preserve the way of life in Britain. Conversely, the United States was in a much better situation financially. As an ally during both World Wars, a financial loan from the US seemed to be the best option for a seemingly desperate Britain in search of restoring its position as a first rank world power. (Bartlett, 1992, pp. 10-16, 24-26)
Although it was apparent the loan was the lesser of two evils, it was not without great objection from both nations. American leaders and citizens alike were quick to question why the US should promote imperialism in assisting a “junior partner in an orbit of power predominantly [beneath America]” (Bartlett, 1992, pp. 10-16, 24-26). Although the British embassy did not view this as the nation being written off, according to Bartlett, the opinion voiced by the US did nothing to win over the people of Britain. Many Ministers of Parliament, along with citizens, viewed the loan as damaging to British pride. Despite disagreements, the British Treasury eventually ruled firmly against attempting to get by without the loan. The United Kingdom ...

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... the nations share a common media as well as ancestry. Most important in the similar aspects between the nations is language. Having the same language can help explain why Britain was skeptical to join the EEC, whose official language was French. America being an English-speaking nation was much more appealing than the numerous languages of continental Europe.

Works Cited

Bartlett, C. J. 1992. 'The special relationship'. London: Longman.

Dumbrell, J. 2004. The US--UK'Special Relationship'in a world twice transformed. Cambridge review of international affairs, 17 (3), pp. 437--450.

Sanders, D. 1990. Losing an empire, finding a role. New York: St. Martin's Press.

Thomas-Symonds, N. 2012. Clement Attlee: the UK's greatest PM?. [online] Available at: http://www.totalpolitics.com/history/329047/clement-attlee-the-ukand39s-greatest-pm.thtml [Accessed: 30 Mar 2014].

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