Strategic Principles and Service Policies, 1919–20

Abstract

By December 1918 Britain had emerged a victor from the great war as had the coalition government from the coupon election. This government had a unique opportunity to strengthen Britain’s position in the world and to formulate an effective strategic policy. It failed to do so because of overconfidence and adverse circumstances. Lloyd George dominated the Cabinet, supported by Bonar Law, the Conservative Party leader and Lord Privy Seal, while the Finance Committee composed the inner Cabinet. By 1920 its members were Lloyd George, Bonar Law, and the ministers for the departments involved in strategic policy: Curzon, Long, Churchill, Austen Chamberlain, Montagu, the India Secretary and Milner, the Colonial Secretary. This government had great ambitions: to establish British hegemony over the Middle East, a stable balance of power in Europe and the Pacific, and close ties with several victor powers. On the assumption that Britain would be secure during the forseeable future, while the world would become stable, it intended to use the August 1919 principles to govern service policies.