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The Wind of Change
In 1960 the European Free Trade Association came into being and the original signatories to the 1957 Treaty of Rome (the EEC, later the EU) saw EFTA as a threat to the future of European unity. This was also the year when National Service finished.
Macmillan went to Cape Town and made his famous Wind of Change speech which warned all those (including some of his own Party) who resisted the end of colonial rule, that the time had come when people throughout the world, especially in Africa, should be helped towards independence.
At home the economy was not healthy, interest rates rose from four to five per cent. The Chancellor of the Exchequer Derick Heathcoat Amory introduced a stand-still budget. It was not popular. Heathcoat Amory resigned and Selwyn Lloyd became Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Alfred Hitchcock |
SIR ALFRED JOSEPH HITCHCOCK (1899-1980)- Born in Leytonstone in London.
- Entered the film business as a junior film technician in 1920
- Become a director in 1925
- A quintessentially British film maker
In 1960 Russia shot down an American spy plane. The Americans falsely claimed that it was a weather recording plane. From this point on it became obvious that only satellites could spy safely because the USSR had proved their anti-aircraft missiles were capable of high altitudes.
The Times Leader on Macmillan's Wind of Change Speech
"On the stage of Africa to-day three social and political concepts jostle one another in increasing congestion, while a fourth waits in the wings, hoping to be the quartus gaudens. Black nationalism has been or is being emancipated in the West. White nationalism is strongly entrenched in the south. A society founded upon the partnership of races is struggling against both nationalisms for establishment in the east and in the centre. Great Britain is handing over authority to black nationalism in the west because there only one race needs to be considered. In plural societies where we can still mould the future we are deeply committed to promoting the experiment of partnership. "The Union is another plural society; and there accordingly, though we have no power or responsibility, we cannot disguise our repudiation of the principle of permanent domination by white nationalism, expressed in the doctrines of apartheid and baaskap. Mr Macmillan did not disguise it. Nevertheless, while frankly facing the fact of a profound difference in social philosophy between himself and his audience, Mr Macmillan showed himself aware that what, in the name of Great Britain, he opposes has in South Africa the force of religion... and Mr Macmillan hinted a further warning: another political religion broods over the whole scene. Wherever there is failure to achieve racial harmony in Africa, Communism stands to profit."
 
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| 1956 | Suez Crisis
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| 1957 | Macmillan replaces Eden as Tory Prime Minister
Treaty of Rome
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| 1958 | The EEC begins
Life Peerages Act is passed
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| 1959 | Oil is discovered in the North Sea
The Vietnam War begins
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| 1960 | Cyprus and Nigeria become independent
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| 1961 | South Africa leaves the Commonwealth
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| 1962 | Cuban Missile Crisis
The National Economic Development Council is formed
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| 1963 | The Profumo Affair
Macmillan resigns due to ill-health and is replaced as Tory PM by Alec Douglas-Home
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| 1964 | Labour wins General Election. Harold Wilson Prime Minister
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| 1965 | Death of Winston Churchill
Sir Alec Douglas-Home resigns Tory Party leadership and is succeeded by Edward Heath
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