This thesis is a historical reconstruction of the experiences of children born in to the British Diplomatic Service between 1945 and 1990. The first academic investigation of its kind, in a greatly under-documented area, it uses oral history testimony as its primary method of investigation. Source material was gathered by the author through interviews and correspondence with a sample of 23 former Diplomatic Service children born between 1942 and 1992. This evidence was compared with existing material which referred to Diplomatic Service children. This included the contents of Newsletters produced by the Foreign Service Wives Association, later the Diplomatic Service Wives' Association, and twentieth-century memoirs by diplomats. The dominant themes suggested by interviewees and respondents formed the basis of the thesis' four thematic chapters. These take as their subjects Separation, Transience, Identity and Home. A preceding Chapter which outlines internal Foreign Office policy towards children and families during the period under consideration provides background. The main questions considered were whether the findings shed light on existing stereotyped understandings of Foreign Office children, whether the participants' experiences challenged historical narratives of childhood during the period and examined whether experiences differed according to gender. The richness and diversity of experiences recorded have made a multi-disciplinary approach necessary in order to provide a sufficiently structured framework for their interpretation.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1980. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 227-247).

published_or_final_version / Chinese Historical Studies / Master / Master of Arts

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John Diefenbakers Latin American policy was based on his vision of Canadas national interest, which placed a strong emphasis on the achievement of greater autonomy in foreign policy for Canada vis-à-vis the US and the expansion of Canadian exports to the region. For Diefenbaker, an enhanced relationship with Latin America had the potential to lessen Canadas dependency on the US, while giving Latin American countries an outlet for their trade, commercial and financial relations other than the US. This new approach implied that Canada would formulate and implement policy that focused more on Canadian political interests and goals. It was not a matter of charting a totally independent policy for Canada in Latin America true policy independence was impossible to achieve. Nor was it the case that Canada would necessarily set itself in opposition to the US when it disagreed with its policies. For Diefenbaker the goal was to pursue a foreign policy that was aligned with, but not subservient to, the US.<p> Ultimately, Diefenbakers policies towards countries such as Cuba, Mexico, the Federation of the West Indies, Argentina and Brazil were somewhat successful in expanding Canadian trade and commercial activity beyond the United States, and in establishing a stronger political relationship between Canada and the Latin American region. The policies were remarkably consistent, reflecting Diefenbakers desire to increase Canadas autonomy, and differentiated by his personal involvement in initiating policy at the Cabinet level and in building and cultivating relationships with Latin American leaders; the goal was to further Canadian economic and political interests in the region. Though there were possibilities for greater expansion and connections with Latin America that were missed, Diefenbakers Latin American policy would be built upon and continued by successive Liberal and Conservative governments once he left office.

This thesis examines Finland’s relations with Britain and the United States from 1939-1941. During this period, Finland engaged in two wars against the Soviet Union. In 1939-1940 Finland defended itself against a Soviet attack with the emotional and material support of Britain and the United States. By 1941 Finland was once again at war with the Soviet Union. The geopolitical situation had changed so significantly that Finland found itself aligned with Germany against the Soviet Union. Consequently Finnish relations with the western democracies were strained, although Britain and the United States had previously supported Finland against the Soviet Union. This thesis examines the differences in foreign policy and public opinion in Britain and the United States and the nature of their relations with Finland from 1939-1941.