ABSTRACT
Britain’s historical position as a colonial, economic and political power on the world stage was in relative decline by the early decades of the twentieth century. Some large colonies, such as Canada and Australia, had already achieved self-governing dominion status. The growth of nationalism and a desire for selfdetermination among African and Asian nations persuaded Britain to decolonialize further from 1945. The effects of global economic competition, two world wars, the emergence of Cold War politics (dominated by the USA and the former Soviet Union) and domestic economic and social problems forced Britain to recognize its reduced international status.
