The Prelude to Hostilities: Projecting Britain in Romania

Abstract

During the years leading up to Britain’s declaration of war upon Romania, cultural diplomacy was a principal means of projecting British influence and involvement in Romanian life.¹ The British Committee for Relations with Other Countries — soon afterwards to be known as The British Council — came into being on 5 December 1934 and drove this effort. It was the brainchild of Reginald Leeper, a senior figure in the News Department of the Foreign Office (he became its head in 1935), and it was largely due to his vision and pertinacity that the Council, with the support of senior figures in the Foreign Office, was established. Its main objective was to win friendship and respect for Britain abroad through cultural and educational activities.²