The Impact of the American Invasion of Grenada on Anglo-American Relations and the Deployment of Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces in Britain

Abstract

This paper studies the impact the American invasion of Grenada in 1983 had on Anglo-American relations and the deployment of cruise missiles in Britain. Anglo-American nuclear relations were dependent on a strong level of trust between the two governments. The deception employed by President Reagan’s government in concealing American intentions concerning Grenada from the British government broke that trust. Ultimately, the Grenada affair provides an opportunity to study Britain’s ability to maintain an independent foreign policy in the superpower era as well as Margaret Thatcher’s reliance on internationalism and alliance-building in achieving her foreign policy objectives.