ECONOMIC FACTORS OF TRANSFORMATION OF THE IMPERIAL SYSTEM OF GREAT BRITAIN IN THE INTERWAR PERIOD.

Abstract

The laws of the evolution of the British imperial system, which was the largest and one of the most complex state entities in the world history, seem to be an important object of study that requires a comprehensive analysis, taking into account the diversity of factors that caused it. Despite the victory won in the First World War, the British political leadership at the turn of the 1910s -1920s had to face a number of serious challenges affecting various segments of the imperial organization and manifesting themselves in the fields of economics, politics and ideology. In the economic sphere, the main negative trend was the relative economic weakening of Great Britain caused by the consequences of the war, as well as the intensified international economic competition. In addition, it was accompanied by a noticeable increase in the economic independence of various elements of the empire, including both dominions and some directly colonial possessions, primarily India. The subject of this article is the main features of the development of the economic situation in the UK in the interwar period in the context of their role in the formation of the colonial strategy of the British leadership. Special attention is paid to attempts to introduce a single customs tariff for the metropolis and dominions against the background of the transformation of the imperial system into the British Commonwealth.

Keywords

• colonial policy
• economic development
• great depression
• tariff policy