The decline of Britain in the 20th century and their diplomatic efforts
August 15, 2019 09:17 Source: "China Social Sciences" Journal of Social Sciences, August 15, 2019, Total Issue 1757 Author: Liang Jun

The 20th Century Britain has experienced unprecedented changes。At the end of the 19th century,The United Kingdom is still the most powerful finance in the world、Business and Navy Power Power,The strong pound supports the global trade system,The area of ​​the British Empire's territory reached the maximum of the land that had occupied the earth with a quarter of the earth。Although some people were paying attention to the continuation of the British Empire at that time,But the British in the late Victorian era are still willing to believe,Based on "destiny"、The British Empire under the free market economy system and liberal constitutional system can continue to write its great chapter in the 20th century。But,After 100 years, the British Empire has no industry; the Royal Navy is equivalent to the size of the US Navy's sub -fleet;,Now,People to the US dollar、The degree of dependence of the euro and the RMB is much higher than the pound。As an industrial power,Britain was overtaken by the United States in 1890,Since then has been by Germany、Japan and France exceed,By the end of the 20th century, it has fallen to the level that is comparable to Italy。At the same time,The influence of Britain on international affairs has also been decreasing -in the diplomatic "Three Rings" advocated by Churchill,Politics in the UK、Economic and military influence is all continuously contracted,The effectiveness of its diplomacy depends on the situation、Opportunities bet365 best casino games and cooperation with other partners; Britain is difficult to become one of the important manifestations of the globalization process -the main beneficiary of the European integration process。All of this highlights an important tone of British diplomatic history in the 20th century -decline。

Compared with other emerging powers,The UK inevitably moved towards the decline in the 20th century。Despite this,In the process of evaluating this process, you should not lose sense of scent and balance,Its purpose is,The decline in the UK is relatively relative、Gravity and Mildness,The focus of attention can not be placed on the decline of the British economy,and expand its political decline to too early。

must be seen,Despite the independent movement of the colony、The development of economic and technology has already affected the UK before 1939,But the British leader did not give much attention at that time,They are really anxious about this after World War II。In the early 20th century,Britain has a strong wish to maintain the status quo (peace),and willing to make compromises for this,But this does not mean that it will succumb to all challenges; consider the location of the island nation and imports,Britain's dependence on peace and foreign trade is logical,But this did not hinder it from participating in the war in 1914。Britain lost the manufacturing advantage before 1914,But it is still in the leading position in finance,Controls 48%of the shipping industry in the world,and far exceed Germany in this regard。Although the Royal Navy faces severe challenges,But it still defeated the enemy Germany in the naval arms race competition。The establishment of the British and Japan League and the Covenant Group has become smaller Bet365 lotto review in the choice of British diplomacy,But considering the previous situation -Britain has never been an all -round big country,Joining the Jiexiang and the construction of a fearless ship showed that Britain's adaptability and adventure preparation。During 1900-1905,The international crisis caused by France and Russia has caused the major British policy to change,In a daunting environment,Yingde's tension is continuously upgraded,The UK sees the need for protection of the contract country,Starting to bear the obligation to France in 1912。These have been proven to be significant to Britain's declaration of war in 1914。At the same time,The UK successfully avoids the official alliance obligations,This makes it still enjoyed more freedom of action than other European powers in the severe international environment at that time。So,British policy adjustment before World War I should not be explained as the result of fear and weak will of will。

Since then,Even the World War I was not all disaster for Britain,During this period, the British expanded a large number of troops; maintained national solidarity; while testing the Mobilization ability of the British Empire, it also improved the work efficiency of government machines。Of course,The UK must also pay the price for this。Compared to the biggest competitors in the United Kingdom in the 20th century, the United States,War has greatly weakened British payment,It hit its financial status。The public's strong enthusiasm for the public in World War I,It has also forced Britain to have more obligations in the future。

Many historians believe that the real decline of Britain began between two world wars。But in the early 1930s,The United Kingdom is still an important member of the Great Power Bet365 lotto review Club,and in some areas are in an advantageous position。Even the US economy、Military and technologies have established a navy that has beyond Britain,It also has no willingness and determination to challenge the UK。This must be included in the discussion of the balance of power at that time at that time。In the next few years,When Britain has to face a few unsteady times、When the aggressive fascist and militarist countries,The vulnerability of the Non -sunset Empire appears out。World War II was proved to be more destructive to the British national status,It completely exposed the fact that Britain's relative decline was。Britain is very huge,But in addition to the reputation brought by the heroic anti -Germany in the dilemma in 1940, and the contribution made with the United States and the Soviet Union to shape the post -war world,It does not actually gain much。Final,The United States has gained most of the fruits of war,Its maritime power easily surpasses the Royal Navy,The United States has successfully induced British leaders believe that their role is to guide this emerging Anglo -Saxon giant along the right route,After all, the British are considered to have richer experience in dealing with world affairs,and the national nation of English is promoting the so -called free democracy expansion,"Resistance to communism" and advocating free trade have common interests。In fact,The attitude of Americans to deal with relations between the two countries is very realistic,They are completely clear that they are colonialism、The huge difference between the special system of trade and the European integration and European integration,Especially about the last point,The British have been worried bet365 best casino games that joining the European integration for a long time will damage their value in Washington's eyes,Therefore, when it is outside it, it has become a matter of course。

In the decades after World War II,The leaders of the two parties in the UK have always adhered to the necessity of maintaining the status of the world's world,Therefore, after losing India for a long time, he is unwilling to give up the idea of ​​empire。The defects brought about by their long -term dependence on the prestige accumulated in the past and the increasingly serious material ability。Even at that time,The future of Britain and Europe still causes huge controversy in the country and the field。Saying truth from facts,There is a lot of differences in the United Kingdom compared to other countries on the European continent: its island country geographical location、It is highly dependent on its world business and free trade (with France、Italian protectionism is very different),It is based on the constitutional system and strong nationalist emotions based on the unwritten constitution, as well as the pride and pride as the winner of the two wars。All of this makes it difficult for it to accept the reality of Europe in accordance with its own vision。The result is the extensive dissatisfaction emotions from the upper and lower upside down,Government decision makers have to exaggerate the power that Britain still has and overestimate its decline,Pursue the so -called "influence beyond national strength"。In this case,About the myths in the past play an extremely important role in British political life -the mainstay pillar of crushing Louis 14 dominates the dream,Broken the financial and economic giant of the Napoleon Empire,Destroy the free defenders of bet365 Play online games William Germany and the Third Empire of Hitler。But politely say,The United Kingdom defeated these opponents with the allies,And some all allies like Russia、The role played by the United States is more than that of the United Kingdom.。

History indication,Human beings often cannot take previous experience lessons,The historical trajectory is inevitable that it is yesterday、The way to recycling is presented in the front。Today, the United Kingdom, who is busy with Brexit under the domination of populism。From the "maintenance (main country status) status" status "in the early 20th century to seeking" the impact of excessive national strength ",Then "No ideal and ambition" at now,Britain seems to be moving towards another extreme that has never been seen in modern times,Facing self -marginalization、The huge risk of localization and further decline。But from a historical perspective,The future of the UK cannot be ignored in Europe,Its security depends on the balance of Europe and its own positive policies for Europe。Therefore, a more realistic and balanced approach is to recognize the country's great past and its limitations,It is necessary to fully realize that the role of the great power is not feasible when surpassing Europe,and Britain's proud political structure and diplomatic skills have become increasingly mediocre reality。As a relatively rich、Safe and stable medium -powered country,Britain must accept the great reality of the Victorian era.,and pass through the EU、Interaction in the multilateral system framework of the United Nations,Tail to maintain to varying degrees from other powers、The subtle and balanced cooperative relationship to achieve its own goals: establish a certain orderly and bet365 live casino games open world to safeguard British politics and economic interests。Revelation left to British diplomacy in the 20th century may be as commented by a famous British foreign policy scholar: "Britain should look forward instead of looking back ... Based on the huge restrictions of its limited national capabilities and the huge restrictions of the international environment。”

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