Strategic Policy 1930–39

Abstract

In the 1920s the various challenges facing Britain, although severely stretching her forces, could be contained. France was ultimately too dependent on Britain to pose a major Continental challenge to her, other powers were either not minded or in no position to do so; the protest and nationalist movements in the Empire were held in check either by air power or in the most serious cases by troops. In the 1930s challenges to almost all the British positions were to change a sense of security to one of distraction, seen officially as ‘the balance of risks’. Rearmament constituted a greatly increased military commitment in every sphere.