What was Britain's position in 1918? 4.0 / 5 based on 1 rating ? HistoryModern Britain - 19th century onwardsA2/A-levelEdexcel Created by: naomiCreated on: 16-01-14 21:10 STRENGHTS VICTORY IN WW1/MILITARY STRENGHT/EMPIRE armistice - rejoicing- 'golden era' 5% male population(france 10% Germany 10%) 5.5 million in the army royal navy has 58 battleships, 100 cruisers (biggest in the world) RAF 20,000 planes (36 at the start of the war) Empire assistance - 2.5 million troops - proof of unity and utility 1 of 11 STRENGHTS WEAKNESSES OF TRADITIONAL RIVALS/ GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES Germany defeated - Treaty of Versailles Russia in chaos - civil war France had suffered hugely in WW1 USA: special relationships Japan: allies since 1902 2 of 11 STRENGHTS ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL STRENGTH reserves of wealth no balance of payments defecit elimination of German competition industrial output remained high, despite war had paid for much of the war out of own resources and had loaned to others (who now had to pay them back, with interest) 3 of 11 WEAKNESSES ECONOMIC WEAKNESS AND FINANCIAL WEAKNESS Britain incurred debts equivalent to 136% if it's GNP Unemployment in 1921 reaches its highest point (11.3%) since records had begun More British than German workers were involved in strikes in 1919 Public spending cuts introduced in 1922 in order to ward off inflation - lots of resentment towards this 4 of 11 WEAKNESSES DEFENCE OVER COMMITMENT Last year of war - 83% income spent on artillery Cuts to save money to spend on a land fit for heroes and widower's pensions etc Gain a lot of Empire - has to pay for it; look after and defend 5 of 11 WEAKNESSES LACK OF ALLIES suspicion of France and US isolationism - America doesn't want to get involved in world affairs strongest allies - France - disagreements, America - doesn't want to get involved 6 of 11 WEAKNESSES IMPERIAL WEAKNESSES Nationalist movements in colonies (e.g. India) Dominions wanted to achiece greater autonomy Gains made at the end of WW1 made it unwieldy INDIA: WW1 - (1.5 million Indian troops) - calls for Indian independence increase Monatgu - chelmsford report agreed to do this BUT there was very little change - India Office still controlled India Anto-British political meetings began e.g. Amritsar - British troops massacred - 379 Massacre led to campaigns of civil disobedience by Ganahi 7 of 11 WEAKNESSES POTENTIAL ENEMIES Germany- because of the Treaty of Versailles 8 of 11 Britain's position STRONG IN THE SHORT TERM, WEAK IN THE LONG TERM 9 of 11 Key aims of Foreign Policy 1919-37 1.) Preserve peace - 10 year rule 2.) Defend British (despite 'ten year rule') including trade routes 3.) Preserve the balance of power 4.) Preserve the Empire 10 of 11 cvb dfgh 11 of 11
The Impact of War on the Labour Party and the 1918 Constitution (Britain at War 1914-1918)(Britain 1900-1951) 0.0 / 5
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