3.3.3
Economic Impact of WW2
The Economic Impact of WW2
The Economic Impact of WW2
Britain and its Empire's economy suffered during WW2.
The economic impact of WW2 on Britain
The economic impact of WW2 on Britain
- On the home front, rationing would persist in Britain until 1954. Lots of buildings, homes, and factories were destroyed by the Luftwaffe's bombing.
- Britain’s economic position was severely weakened by World War Two.
- After World War Two, Britain's Debt to GDP ratio had risen from 110% to 240%.
- To fund the war effort, Britain had been forced to sell all of its overseas assets. The most notable was Courtauld's American Viscose Corporation, which was sold in a firesale for half of its true value.
- The British had accumulated huge debts to the United States because of the war effort and lend-lease (borrowing munitions from America during the war).
The trading impact of WW2 on Britain
The trading impact of WW2 on Britain
- Keynes, a famous British economist expected the UK to have a Balance of Payments deficit of $9bn after the war (this would be worth $135bn today).
- Britain's balance of payments problems led to a dollar shortage that forced them to introduce quotas on imports.
- The dollar shortage and balance of payments problems encouraged trade with Europe over the USA.
- However, Neal (2004) says that Britain's desire to keep preferential trade agreements with its colonies separated Britain "economically & politically from both US & Europe".
- In 1949, the government was forced to devalue the currency from £1 = $4.03 to £1 = $2.80.
Economic impact of WW2 on the Empire
Economic impact of WW2 on the Empire
- During World War 2, German U-boats attacked British sea traffic. 11.7 million tonnes of shipping was sunk by German submarines.
- In Asia, Japan had captured Singapore, Malaya, and many other British territories.
The Empire after WW2
The Empire after WW2
- Britain faced a balance of payments crisis and debt crisis after World War 2.
- At the same time, nationalist movements in most colonies were resisting British control.
- The Colonial Welfare Acts of 1940 and 1945 allocated £120 million to economic development in the colonies.
1High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914
1.1Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890
1.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890
1.3Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890
1.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890
1.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890
2Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914
2.1Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914
2.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914
2.3Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914
2.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
2.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914
3Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967
3.1Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947
3.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947
3.3Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War
3.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
3.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947
4The Wind of Change, 1947-1967
4.1Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967
4.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967
4.3Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967
4.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967
4.5Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967
4.6Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967
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1High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914
1.1Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890
1.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890
1.3Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890
1.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890
1.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890
2Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914
2.1Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914
2.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914
2.3Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914
2.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
2.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914
3Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967
3.1Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947
3.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947
3.3Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War
3.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
3.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947
4The Wind of Change, 1947-1967
4.1Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967
4.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967
4.3Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967
4.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967
4.5Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967
4.6Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967
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