Great Power Complex
British Imperialism, International Crises and National Decline, 1914-51
John Callaghan(Author)
Pluto Press
Published on 20. April 1997
Book
Paperback/Softback
140 pages
978-0-7453-1179-1 (ISBN)
Description
In the period from the start of World War I until after the end of World War II, Britain declined dramatically as an imperial power. In 1914, Britain controlled more of the globe than any other nation. Its currency constituted the world's mark of value and its naval forces straddled the world. Yet by 1951 Britain had become a second class power, granting her colonies independence and turning to the USA for the finance needed to survive. In this text, the author argues that the political class in Britain fought hard to maintain and expand the Empire in a period of world crisis and relative national decline. Britain emerged from both world wars bankrupt, in a severely weakened position, but resumed her world role without attempting to calculate the economic costs and benefits of the Empire. The assumption was always made that the Empire was essential to Britain's wellbeing, and was in the national interest. The author asserts that these ideas were so entrenched in the thinking of Britain's ruling elites that they were unable to make competent judgements at critical points, from Versailles (1918) to Indian Independence (1951).
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Illustrations
4 maps, index
Dimensions
Height: 215 mm
Width: 135 mm
Weight
217 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7453-1179-1 (9780745311791)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Imperialist war 1914-18; the return to normalcy 1918-29; the world crisis 1929-39; war, national bankruptcy and imperial development 1939-45; social imperialism revisited 1945-51. Appendices; glossary of names, terms and events; British territorial acquisitions since 1763; chronology.