ABSTRACT

This new collection of essays, from leading British and Canadian scholars, presents an excellent insight into the strategic thinking of the British Empire.

It defines the main areas of the strategic decision-making process that was known as 'Imperial Defence'. The theme is one of imperial defence and defence of empire, so chapters will be historiographical in nature, discussing the major features of each key component of imperial defence, areas of agreement and disagreement in the existing literature on critical interpretations, introducing key individuals and positions and commenting on the appropriateness of existing studies, as well as identifying a raft of new directions for future research. 

chapter |8 pages

Introduction

The concept of Imperial Defence, 1856–1956

chapter 4|20 pages

The Treasury and defence of empire

chapter 9|21 pages

Tradition and system

British intelligence and the old world order, 1715–1956

chapter 10|21 pages

The empire that prays together stays together

Imperial defence and religion, 1857–1956

chapter 13|52 pages

Coalition of the usually willing

The dominions and imperial defence, 1856–1919