Biographical information
David Lloyd-George (17 January 1863 – 26 March 1945) was a Welsh statesman and Liberal politician. As Chancellor of the Exchequer (1908–1915) during Asquith's government, Lloyd George was a key figure in the introduction of many reforms which laid the foundations of the modern welfare state. His most important role came as Prime Minister of the Wartime Coalition Government from 1916. History During the 19th century, British foreign policy was largely concerned with stopping another European power becoming as powerful as Napoleon had been and defending the dominant British trading position guaranteed by her global empire. The emergence of the German Empire in 1871 disrupted 50 years of the ‘balance of power’ on the continent of Europe and when the young Kaiser Wilhelm also declared the Germany had imperial ambitions the period of Britain’s ‘splendid isolation’ was ended. |
Firstly, with Japan (1902) and then with her historical enemies France (1904) and Russia (1907), Britain signed alliances that tied her closely to the fate of Europe. Germany’s naval ambitions resulted in an arms race between the two countries and as the Kaiser’s increasingly belligerent policies in North Africa (Morocco 1905 and 1911) threatened the stability of Europe, Britain found herself increasingly aligned with France not only diplomatically but also through joint military planning. The 1912 Anglo-French Naval Convention saw Britain take responsibility for defending Anglo-French interests in the North Sea whilst the French did the same in the Mediterranean. This meant that when France was attacked by Germany in 1914, Britain’s general staff felt duty bound to defend her. In addition, if France did win such a conflict, Britain could only help decide a future peace if first she had been involved in the fighting. German violation of Belgian neutrality was very much a secondary consideration.
Experience of World War I
Britain was completely transformed by the war. In 1914 she was a paragon of liberalism: a vibrant parliamentary democracy with minimalist state intervention with no military conscription. By 1916 she had an effectively ‘national’ government, a Defence of the Realm Act which severely restricted the rights of individuals and a conscripted army which would number four million by 1918. From 1916, Britain fought a ‘total war’. British society and the economy were transformed, ‘traditional women’s roles’ were forgotten as they moved into the labour market and industry was state managed in the interests of the war effort. British soldiers fought on a number of fronts, but it was the Western front where names like the Somme and Ypres became immortalised. Britain lost nearly a million soldiers between 1914 and 1918. Thousands of civilians were also killed in Zeppelin raids and U-boat attacks.
Ambitions
As a democracy, Britain must to some extent respect the wishes of its citizens for revenge, but as politicians and diplomats they know that Britain’s best interests have always been defined by trade and a balance of power on the continent. Lloyd George will be Germany’s most important voice at the peace treaty. This is, after all, why they fought.
Potential rivals and allies
Woodrow Wilson’s idealism will be difficult to contain, but France’s desire to crush Germany must also be curtailed. Lloyd George will look to the smaller nations and Italian to help him contain France. In the background must always be British concern to defend the Empire.
Experience of World War I
Britain was completely transformed by the war. In 1914 she was a paragon of liberalism: a vibrant parliamentary democracy with minimalist state intervention with no military conscription. By 1916 she had an effectively ‘national’ government, a Defence of the Realm Act which severely restricted the rights of individuals and a conscripted army which would number four million by 1918. From 1916, Britain fought a ‘total war’. British society and the economy were transformed, ‘traditional women’s roles’ were forgotten as they moved into the labour market and industry was state managed in the interests of the war effort. British soldiers fought on a number of fronts, but it was the Western front where names like the Somme and Ypres became immortalised. Britain lost nearly a million soldiers between 1914 and 1918. Thousands of civilians were also killed in Zeppelin raids and U-boat attacks.
Ambitions
As a democracy, Britain must to some extent respect the wishes of its citizens for revenge, but as politicians and diplomats they know that Britain’s best interests have always been defined by trade and a balance of power on the continent. Lloyd George will be Germany’s most important voice at the peace treaty. This is, after all, why they fought.
Potential rivals and allies
Woodrow Wilson’s idealism will be difficult to contain, but France’s desire to crush Germany must also be curtailed. Lloyd George will look to the smaller nations and Italian to help him contain France. In the background must always be British concern to defend the Empire.