I) Introduction:
Answering the above question one must look back to the First World War. Various scholars have shown that the origins of tensions in Anglo-American relations derive mostly from problems centred on issues of the Great War. Therefore research on this topic must start slightly before the time frame given by the above question with the examination of the time period following the First World War (1918-1920).
Since various issues influenced the decline of Anglo-American relations an essay on this topic should reasonably be arranged into the examination of different issues, rather than in a chronological way.
Factors that entailed the decline in Anglo-American relations in the post-war period were the loss of influence and power of Great Britain, related to the financial dependency on the United States, Anglo-American rivalry for naval predominance, Anglo-American rivalry concerning the world′s oil and rubber resources , the war debt issue and the future of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
Thomas Buckley has shown that a deep suspicion of Britain existed within the American population and even within the American government. He stated that the predominant view on Britain was that of an arrogant competitor "whose pretensions of leadership failed to recognise realities of British decline and American rise." He reminded the community of Historians of how deep-rooted this suspicion was in the United States of the 1920s and 1930s. The suspicions grew on the belief that Britain worked only for its own interests and therefore always against the United States whose influence increased steadily. A large number of Americans believed that Britain had manipulated the United States into the war to save its very own interests.
On the other side of the Atlantic similar resentments dominated the 1920s. British officials and media-representatives pointed out regularly the American strictness on the war debt issue and the danger of loosing the world-leadership. The British Ambassador to Washington wrote in 1921:
"The central ambition of this realist school of American politicians is to win for America the position of leading nation in the world and also of leader among the English-speaking nations. To do this they intend to have the strongest navy and the largest mercantile marine. They intend also to prevent us from paying our debt by sending goods to America and they look for the opportunity to treat us as a vassal state so long as the debt remains unpaid."
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Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Main Part
- The problem of financing the war or the prelude of the decline in Anglo-American relations
- The military factor: Naval Arms limitation and the Anglo-American relation
- Anglo-American relations and the oil issue
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to explore the reasons behind the deterioration of Anglo-American relations during the 1920s. It argues that the roots of this strained relationship can be traced back to issues arising from World War I and its aftermath.
- The financial burden of World War I and Britain's reliance on US loans.
- Competition between Britain and the US for naval dominance.
- Rivalry over global resources, particularly oil.
- The war debt issue and its impact on diplomatic relations.
- The changing geopolitical landscape and the decline of British power relative to the US.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the essay by establishing its central question: Why were Anglo-American relations so poor in the 1920s? It highlights the importance of understanding the context of World War I and its immediate aftermath in analyzing the subsequent decline in relations. The chapter introduces key factors that contributed to this deterioration, including Britain's financial dependence on the US, naval rivalry, competition over resources, and the war debt issue. It also mentions pre-existing suspicions within both nations that fueled the strained relationship, referencing scholarly work supporting the existence of deep-seated distrust and competition between the two countries.
The problem of financing the war or the prelude of the decline in Anglo-American relations: This chapter delves into the financial intricacies of World War I, emphasizing Great Britain's role in financing the Allied effort and the subsequent challenges this posed. The chapter discusses the increasing reliance on American financial resources and the methods used to secure these funds, including the shipment of gold, the sale of American securities owned by British citizens, and the issuance of public loans. It details the significant financial burden shouldered by Britain and the implications for its relationship with the United States, laying the groundwork for the later tensions surrounding war debts.
Keywords
Anglo-American relations, World War I, war debts, naval rivalry, oil resources, financial dependence, Great Britain, United States, post-war relations, international relations, historical analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this essay?
The essay explores the reasons behind the deterioration of Anglo-American relations during the 1920s. It argues that the strained relationship stemmed from issues arising from World War I and its aftermath.
What are the key themes discussed in the essay?
Key themes include the financial burden of World War I and Britain's reliance on US loans; competition between Britain and the US for naval dominance; rivalry over global resources, particularly oil; the war debt issue and its impact on diplomatic relations; and the changing geopolitical landscape and the decline of British power relative to the US.
What specific chapters are included, and what do they cover?
The essay includes an Introduction, a Main Part (divided into sub-chapters focusing on financing the war, naval arms limitation, and the oil issue), and a Conclusion. The Introduction sets the stage, highlighting the importance of the context of WWI and its aftermath. The Main Part delves into the financial intricacies of WWI, naval competition, and the oil issue, showing how these factors contributed to strained relations. Specific chapter summaries provide detailed outlines of each section’s content.
What is the chapter on "The problem of financing the war" about?
This chapter examines Great Britain's heavy reliance on American financial resources during and after WWI. It details methods used to secure these funds (shipment of gold, sale of securities, public loans) and analyzes the significant financial burden on Britain and its impact on its relationship with the United States.
What are the key objectives of this essay?
The essay aims to investigate the causes of the poor Anglo-American relations in the 1920s, tracing the roots of this tension to issues stemming from World War I and its consequences.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
Keywords include Anglo-American relations, World War I, war debts, naval rivalry, oil resources, financial dependence, Great Britain, United States, post-war relations, international relations, and historical analysis.
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The preview provides a comprehensive overview including the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. This structured format allows for a thorough understanding of the essay's content and scope before reading the full text.
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- Erik Beck (Author), 2002, British-American relations in the 1920s, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/4982
