East of Suez and the Commonwealth 1964-1971: Europe, Rhodesia, Commonwealth

Book excerpt: The main purpose of the British Documents on the End of Empire Project (BDEEP) is to publish documents from British official archives on the ending of colonial rule and the context in which this took place. This publication is the second of three volumes which relate to the years 1964 to 1971, during which period ten territories became independent and all but one (Aden) became new members of the Commonwealth. Issues considered include: Britain's second application to join the EEC; colonial issues at the UN; planning and assessment of priorities for British interests after the withdrawl from Suez; major Whitehall administrative changes and the Overseas Service during 1966 to 1968; an assessment of the value of the Commonwealth to Britain; and developments relating to Rhodesia.