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The Cloak of Multilateralism, 1949–54

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South Africa, the Colonial Powers and ‘African Defence’

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Abstract

Although important difficulties remained to be resolved, by 1951 the main lines of the defence relationship between Nationalist South Africa and the leading European colonial power, Britain, were becoming clear. In return for guarantees over the use of Simonstown, assistance in the defence of the Middle East, and a friendly attitude to Britain’s general interests in the Union, London was inclining towards the supply of scarce defence equipment and the surrender of sovereignty over the naval base. It was also prepared to meet the Union half-way in its desire for formal membership of the Western security system, which in any case Britain recognised would have the advantage of providing the cloak of multi-lateralism needed by the Malan government to deflect attacks on the Middle East commitment from its rank-and-file supporters.

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Notes and References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Leicester, UK

    G. R. Berridge (Reader in Politics)

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© 1992 G. R. Berridge

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Berridge, G.R. (1992). The Cloak of Multilateralism, 1949–54. In: South Africa, the Colonial Powers and ‘African Defence’. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230376366_3

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