1、Unit 8British Foreign RelationsBritain Then and NowAfter a lengthy fight with Axis powers,the United Kingdom eventually emerged victorious and with its empire still largely intact.when the war ended ,Britain was the largest military power in Western Europe.Its power and prestige ensured it would hav

2、e a big influence on the postwar international order.the Axis powersThe Foundations of Britishs foreign policyThe contemporary foreign policy of the UK is greatly influenced by its imperial history and also by its geopolitical traits.Perhaps the most important single factor which influences British

3、policy-makers is its history.A second decisive influence upon the way Britain conducts its external affairs is geopolitical.the Channel TunnelBritain and international institutionsIn the past,Britain was powerful enough to act independently in the world in order to bring about its policy objectives.

4、Nowadays its foreign policy is largely shaped by its participation in a number of important international institutions.In 1973 the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community .Britain and the United StatesAnother major factor which influences British foreign policy is its relationship with

5、 the United State.They have mutual cooperation in the areas of trade,commerce,finance,technology,academics,as well as the arts and sciences.British Security and Defence PolicyBritain spends more on defence than most other advanced industrial countries and maintains large professional forces.It is the third largest spender in the w