"The British, French, and Russian Governments mutually engage not to conclude peace separately during the present war. The three Governments agree that when terms of peace come to be discussed, no one of the Allies will demand terms of peace without the previous agreement of each of the other Allies." -Count Benckendorff, Representative of the UK, September 4, 1914
|
The British people fully backed their country's participation in WW1. As the world's largest superpower, the British launched their first military conscription.
"The government asked for 100,000 volunteers, but got 750,000 in just one month. The public was quickly deluged with numerous propaganda posters to encourage everyone in their nation's time of need." -historylearningsite.co.uk, 2014 Right: WW1 British Propaganda Source: BBC |
|
|
During the course of the war, Britain lost over 850,000 troops. Its economy was fragile, yet remained intact. For the next 25 years, Britain would remain the world's superpower, but WW2 crippled its economy and the country fell into decline. "The collapse of British imperial power - all but complete by the mid-1960s - can be traced directly to the impact of World War Two.The catastrophic British defeats in Europe and Asia between 1940 and 1942 destroyed its financial and economic independence, the real foundation of the imperial system." -BBC.co.uk, 2011 Left: US vs. UK economy, 1820-2000 Source: Efficient Frontier |