World War II still dominates British self-image. In truth, the U.S., Britain and the Soviet Union waged war with very different objectives, and emerged in much different conditions. The U.S. was an indisputable victor, and the only one to emerge from the war in a vastly strengthened economic condition. Britain, meanwhile, was financially ruined by the war, which also rang the tocsin for its empire. They failed to recognize that relative British economic weakness, measured against Germany’s ascent and France’s recovery, would make this impossible.

Source: News 24 January 04, 2021 03:11 UTC