Is the Anglo-American special relationship an equal relationship - Essay Example

The term had its roots in the shared values, common language and historical experiences. The term provided that the two countries were to collaborate in the fight against a common enemy and pursue of common objectives together. The Anglo-American co-operation also discouraged the American manipulation of the British economic weakness. It also helped to manage the mismatch between Britain’s overseas capabilities and commitments. The Anglo-American treaty meant that US was to tolerate the British discriminatory practices such as support for British established overseas interest, the sterling Area and allow the British policy makers to abandon their unsustainable territories without US viewing Britain as a weak country (Dorey 2005, p.73). The aspiration of the Anglo-American relationship seemed unrealistic after the Second World War.

This was because of the loan given to UK by US during the Second World War, severe differences over the Palestine question, the unbridled pursuit of international free trade by US, and betrayal in the nuclear research. The reaffirmation of the special relationship between the two countries enabled Britain to regain some of its lost influence in Washington. The relationship created opportunities to for UK to harness Americans powers. the British and US took a central role in the structuring of post war international order by creating institution such as the UN security council, the Bretton Wood system, the NATO and the GATT.

The mutual economic interdependence strengthened the partnership between UK and US. For example, the sterling become the reserve currency for the Bretton woods system, America surpassed Australia as the British biggest export market in the year 1956. The Anglo-American economic relation was also crucial in the subordination of the multilateralism enforcement to the western world by US (Dorey 2005, p.74). The central agenda in the Anglo-American co-operation was the defense alliance, which involved the sharing of military technology and intelligence.

For example, the US Atomic Energy act restored the nuclear relationship curtailed by the McMahon Act. Britain also accessed the US key to controversial bases and facilities in the homeland and the Polaris submarine base (Dorey 2005, p.74). Britain also benefited a lot from the Anglo-American relationship during the cold war. America provided several economic relief and the Britain transferred unsustainable territories of Greece and turkey. This was important for the two nations as US was British greatest friend and it helped to maintain the impression of the Anglo-American solidarity.

America was the power capable of supporting the British interest, and Britain’s international status relied on the American willingness to treat Britain as a partner in their relationship (Dorey 2005, p.74). The Anglo-American relationship played a crucial role in Britain’s international policy during the Second World War. During this period, Britain needed to win US sympathy and material aid so as to survive, especially after the fall of France in July 1940. After 1940, the propaganda about Britain’s ailing economy spread in North America.

This made Britain seek financial aid from US president, Franklin Roosevelt in the form of a ‘lend’ lease programme to finance it war programmes (Addison