Module Identifier IP37520  
Module Title US AND UK SPECIAL RELATIONS  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Andrew J Priest  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   10 Hours. 5 x 2 Hour Seminars  
  Lecture   14 Hours. 14 x 1 Hour lectures  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  60%
Semester Assessment Essay: 1 x 2,500 words40%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
By the end of the course, students will possess a grasp of the major themes in the history of Anglo-American relations. They will be able to discuss the development of relations between London and Washington since the time of the American Revolution; how the two powers became reconciled at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries; how and why close bonds were formed in the period leading up to and including the Second World War; why Britain and America developed such a close relationship during the Cold War period, but also why areas of tension developed in certain quarters and over key issues of policy; how and why the US has continued to maintain a close relationship with the UK in the post Cold War era, and despite the proliferation of close relationships with other nations; and finally to speculate on the future of the Anglo-American relationship in the 21st century.

Brief description

This module examines the nature of relations between Great Britain and The United States since the American War of Independence and especially from the beginning of the Twentieth Century to the present day. It aims to give you an in-depth understanding of the `alliance' that developed between the two countries and especially whether a `special relationship' exists. It does this both chronologically and thematically, examining such aspects as the nuclear and intelligence connections, the impact of European integration and the nature of `crises' in US-UK relations.

Content

This module begins by examining the concept of a 'special relationship' between the two countries; what this means and how scholars have tried to define it. The module then focuses on the historical development of the so-called 'special relationship' between Britain and America from conflict in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, to reconciliation and partnership at the start of the twentieth. It analyses in particular the impact of America's rise to powerin comparison to British decline on bilatral relations. It then examines relations during the Second World War, questioning whether this was in fact the defining moment in the 'special relationship' and the impact of the Roosevelt-Churchill relationship on this. It then explores reasons for continuing the relationship in the post-War period and early Cold War, highlighting vital areas of cooperation as well as the tension as the Cold War progressed. In bringing the study up to the present, the course examines the dynamic between the US-UK relationship and Britain's closer integration with Europe and speculates on the future of the US-UK relations.

Lectures:
1. Introduction: Anglo-American relations and the `Special Relationship'
2. Conflict and Reconciliation: Anglo-American relations to 1914
3. From Neutrality to Versailles: World War I
4. Building the Anglo-American Alliance: World War II
5. Becoming Cold Warriors: Allies in the early Cold War
6. The Intelligence Relationship
7. The Nuclear Relationship
8. Divided We Stand: The Suez Crisis
9. `A Very Special Relationship'? The Eisenhower, Kennedy and Macmillan Years
10. From `Special' to `Close'? Relations in the 1960s and 1970s
11. The European Dimension
12. A Relationship Renewed? Thatcher and Reagan
13. The End of the Cold War and the Post-Cold War World
14. Blair, Bush and the `Special Relationship' at the start of the New Century

Seminars:
1. US-UK Relations and the `Special Relationship'
2. Establishing the `Special Relationship': The historical development
3. US-UK relations during the Cold War
4. Anglo-American relations in crisis
5. US-UK relations since the end of the Cold War and the future of the `Special Relationship'

Aims

This module aims to give students an in-depth understanding of the history of relations between the US and UK since the founding of the american republic, and especially since the start of the Twentieth Century. It will question why this relationship has come to be so important through an examination of the interaction between military, political, diplomatic and cultural factors. In particular, the term 'special relationship' will be explored in order to understand whether this is a helpful term for historians and political scientists. Lectures provide much of the basis of the historical background, while seminars are more conceptual and deal with some of the broad themes in Anglo-american relations. No prior knowledge of this area of study is necessary, althouh students are expected to deal with a broad range of historical approaches to understanding this topic, including alliance theory.

Reading Lists

Books
** General Text
Dumbrell, John (2006) A special relationship: Anglo-American relations from the Cold War to Iraq /John Dumbrell. Second Edition. 0333622499
Ovendale, Ritchie. (1998.) Anglo-American relations in the twentieth century /Ritchie Ovendale. 0333596129

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6