The Return to Normalcy: Postwar British Strategy

Abstract

Britain emerged from the Second World War among the ruling trinity in the world, one of the ‘Big Three’ wartime victors. But the country’s position at the conference tables of world diplomacy obscured the reality of diminished power. Britain had, in effect, given its all to win the war, exhausting domestic industries and selling off many of its overseas assets. The country was devastated economically. Yet, the perception of world power remained, both in the minds of officials and in the perception of the general public. That Britain, which had just emerged victorious from the most destructive war in its history, would continue to maintain the trappings of international power was almost universally accepted at this time. In many sections of British opinion, the extensive network of bases east of Suez was considered the most vital testament to Britain’s greatness.