Heinemann Chapter 6 Did Britain remain a great power after WW1? Flashcards
Rise in Japan’s cotton textile production during WW1?
1913 - 1918
rose by 55%
Who replaced Britain as world’s leading exporter of cotton textiles?
JAPAN
From 1910 to 1939 the value of Textiles exported as a percentage of total exports?
1910 - 40%
1938 - 24%
How much had Britain borrowed from the USA during WW1?
$4000 million
When did Britain leave the gold-standart first?
1914
When did Britain return to the gold standard after the war?
1925
What was the value of the pound set at? (1925)
4.25$
overvalued by 10%
Numbers of soldiers in the British army after WW1?
November 1918 - 3.800.000
November 1922 - 231.000
Naval funding in the years 1919 to 1921?
334 million to 84 million
Washington Conference 1921
5:5:3 ratio of ships between UK,US and Japan
Size and armaments were also limited
Strategic threats to the Empire
Incentive for Germany to rise again
Russian revolution and proximity to India
Japan’s ambitions
USA as major economic competitor
When was the Indian National Congress formed?
1885
Government of India Act 1935
- elected Indians were to determine policy on public health, education and agriculture
- provincial rather than nationwide level
- Viceroy as ultimate ruler, keeping control of foreign policy, law and financial policy
Statue of Westminster
1931, redefining the relationship between Britain and its white Dominions.
Dominions were now independent nations of their own right
Relation with the empire in the interwar years?
No uniform approach, empire was diverse
Granting independence to the Dominions
Not necessarily indicator of Britain’s decline in power. In order to retain a positive relationship with these economically and strategically important areas independence had to be granted.
Granting independence to Iraq and Egypt
Not an indicator of decline, tactic move to keep control of this vital area.
Define “appeasment”
Basis of British foreign policy adopted in the mid 1920’s - avoid war reaching agreements with aggressors - important with nations such as Japan, Germany and Italy
Options other than appeasement
stronger commitment to international cooperation (league of nations)
formation of international alliance system
Why didn’t Britain choose a different policy than appeasement
Popular opinion was against a war
Economically Britain could not stand another war
Resources were not sufficient for the “new” size of the Empire
Militarily weakened
When was a rearmament program introduced?
1937
