Britain and the world

The war of 1939 was a European war; it did not become a world war until 1941. Britain was a world power as well as a European power, which was a source of its strength as well of its weakness. It was also the reason for Germany's envy and for its frustration.

The European states had extended their influence in the world at large in substantial part because of their rivalry. By securing resources from outside Europe they could dominate other European rivals or secure independence from them. Rivalry with France, which had drawn Britain into India, culminated in the victories of Trafalgar and Waterloo. Britain enjoyed an unusually strong position among European powers by the mid nineteenth century. It was enhanced by its industrial preeminence. Indeed that prompted more moderate attitudes to territorial dominion than those of earlier European states with worldwide interests. Britain allowed the settler territories to govern themselves. It did not deprive other European powers of colonial opportunities. It tried to avoid creating further Indias.

Industrial pre-eminence did not last. The Industrial Revolution spread to other countries, in Europe and outside Europe. As a result Britain was faced with economic and political problems. Economically it faced the rivalry of other industrialising economies, sometimes more innovative, sometimes better resourced, often more protected. Britain met that rivalry in ways that were often thought inadequate. In some areas it met it head on with some success.