What are the origins of Britain's nuclear program?

Britain – International Influence, 1945-97

In this course, Professor Catriona Pennell (University of Exeter) explores Britain’s influence in the world from 1945-97. In the first lecture, we think about how the origins of Britain’s nuclear program were shaped by its relationship with the Soviet Union. In the second lecture, we think about why Britain rejected European integration in 1957, only to apply three times in the 1960s and 70s. In the third lecture, we think about how the British-US Special Relationship progressed to the formation of the United Nations (UN). Next, we think about how conflicts from 1950-91 impacted Britain’s international standing. In the fifth and final lecture, we think about whether the Commonwealth represents imperialism in the modern age.

What are the origins of Britain's nuclear program?

In this lecture, we think about the origins of Britain’s nuclear program and the ties to its relationship with the Soviet Union, focusing in particular on: (i) Churchill’s use of the ‘iron curtain’ term in his Sinews of Peace speech on 5 March 1946; (ii) Churchill’s promotion of Anglo-American relations, as well as calling on the United Nations (UN) to keep peace where the League of Nations had failed; (iii) Churchill’s acknowledgement that Britain’s “Russian friends” had no respect for shows of military weakness and the utmost respect for strength; (iv) the importance of the term Special Relationship, used in Sinews of Peace, to describe enduring Anglo-American relations; (v) the view of some US officials being that they did not wish to be involved in the futile support of the crumbling British Empire; (vi) Stalin’s criticism of Churchill’s Sinews of Peace as warmongering and imperialist; (vii) the historic British response to rivalry with Russia since the 18th century being to attempt to contain it; (viii) the rise of Russophobia in 19th century British politics, highlighted in Rudyard Kipling’s Kim, published in 1901; (ix) the deterioration of Anglo-Russian relations since the revolution of 1917; (x) the sense of suspicion towards Russia throughout the early 20th century, despite the re-establishment of diplomatic relations in 1929; (xi) the disconnection of the British and US nuclear programs after the Second World War; (xii) the first Soviet Union nuclear test in 1949; (xiii) Operation Hurricane, entering Britain into the nuclear arms race in 1952; (xiv) Clement Attlee’s failed pursuit of Anglo-American collaboration on a post-war nuclear program; (xv) the Atomic Energy Act of 1946, also known as the McMahon Act, which prohibited the sharing of US nuclear information, even with its allies; (xvi) vulnerability as a key factor in Britain’s decision to pursue a nuclear program.