Anglo-American Relations

Introduction

Between the first and the second Venezuelan crises of 1895 and 1902-3? there came about a sea change in Anglo-American relations. The most dramatic evidence of this was a 1904 decision by the British government that preparations for a war with the USA would no longer be part of its defense plans. This came at a time when the USA had embarked upon a naval expansion programmed? which led the authoritative annual Jane's Fighting Ships to rank her second after Britain in 1906? and when the USA had asserted her ascendancy in the Western hemisphere over Britain in the first Venezuelan crisis. For a great power to abandon war plans with regard to such a nation was contrary to the canons of realpolitik and must be unique in the annals of international relations. (Winant memo ?22-24)

This paper discusses Anglo-American relations from the beginning of the 20th century to the end of World War-II. It also discusses why Britain and the US becoame such close allies.

Discussion

Simultaneously? there were a number of unsettling problems that were resolved amicably? though some were more intractable than others and persisted beyond the 1914-18 war. Indeed? the issue of neutral rights at sea was to prove most troublesome and severely tested relations during that conflict. Underpinning all? however? were two important factors: the first was a growing sense that the political and strategic interests of the USA and Britain could be mutually supportive and beneficial and that policy should recognize that? at least at an informal level (respective isolationist traditions still forbade anything formal). Strengthening this was the sense? shared by influential people on both sides of the Atlantic? of an Anglo-Saxon mission to civilize and order the world. (Winant memo? 22-24)

The second factor was more complex and was to do with economics. Rivalry increased between the two for investment? banking and financial opportunities? for markets and for sources of raw materials. Economic rivalry would always be likely to cause some friction? but at the turn of the century? and later? a number of conditions exacerbated that tendency. The most important? paralleling the rise and decline of their respective naval power? was the rise and decline of economic power? though in the latter there was less inhibition about taking provocative action to defend perceived interests. (Washington's? 143-7) As became very evident in America's experience as a neutral between 1914 and 1917? there is a great deal of difference between economic suffering (real or imagined) and losing lives. From the late nineteenth century onwards Britain was concerned about her relative decline and the challenge from the USA. Until 1914 it was largely business as usual? with free trade still in the ascendancy. The types of friction involved in Anglo-American relations were of a kind one might expect with the USA gradually expanding its activity and competing more with Britain. The Great War? however? brought a number of different problems to the forefront.

Finally? in this period? there were the widespread effects of the war itself? ...