Introduction

Abstract

The essays in this book describe a series of episodes in Britain’s attempts to come to terms with its changed international circumstances in the decade after the Second World War. Most were originally presented at a conference sponsored by the Department of War Studies at King’s College, London in March 1987, although a couple have been added to ensure a more comprehensive coverage. The objective of this conference was to assess the postwar decade in the light of new evidence made available through the opening up of relevant archive material, especially that contained in the Public Records Office at Kew. The result is a much greater understanding of some of the key episodes and trends, and an appreciation of some of the strengths of British policy-making as well as its evident failures. The conference was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council.