United Kingdom History

4 Pages 1099 Words

History of United Kingdom from 1945 to Present

After World War II the United Kingdom found itself in a very interesting situation. The financing of the war striped Great Britain of many of its foreign financial resources. The economy was in very bad shape and had no direction. There was nothing to export with the railroads in disarray. Great Britain was basically bankrupt. So they orchestrated a loan with the United States amounting to $3,750,000,000. Later in 1947 Great Britain saw countries withdraw from its empire as India led by the famous Gandhi and Pakistan gained independence.
The Labour party also found itself in charge from 1945-1951. The party saved Great Britain. Rationings were set in place. Imports were cut to bare minimum. They also stopped support of Turkey and Greece and had the United States replace itself. The Marshall Plan also helped since it gave aid to all European countries.
The 1950’s were much better to Great Britain than the 1940‘s. The conservative government ruled from 1951-1964. Winston Churchill was once Prime Minister again. They saw as a new Monarch was crowned, Queen Elizabeth II. In 1955 Churchill had to resign because of failing health and Anthony Eden took his place until he had to resign also for ill health in 1957. During Eden’s term at Prime Minister he was involved in the Suez Canal Crisis. The crisis occurred when General Nasser tried to Nationalize the area. The British, French and Israeli’s intervened. This was highly criticized by the US. Harold Macmillan would be the next Prime Minister until 1963. In 1957 the European Economic Community (EEC) was formed and Britain would not be let in until 1973.
The 1960’s brought many things miniskirts, The Beatles, and totally new culture. With new drugs in the 1960’s people could enjoy free love and free thinking, they expanded their minds. Youths also broke free from tradition and everything...