God Save the Queen. The US Destruction of the British Empire

[Wiz]

God Save the Queen
The US Destruction of the British Empire

This is a little-known and never-discussed part of US history, but yet one of the major factors that propelled the US to its overwhelming manufacturing and economic supremacy after the Second World War. It involves the final destruction of the British Empire, for which no thinking person would have regrets, and also the conditions obtaining after the end of World War II. The First World War caused Britain to lose about 40% of its former Empire and wealth, and the Second World War completed this task, but not without the little-known predatory intercession of America.

During the Second War, Britain needed huge volumes of supplies of food, raw materials, manufactured goods, armaments and military hardware. But Britain’s factories were being destroyed by the war, and in any case lacked sufficient productive capacity. Britain also increasingly lacked money to pay for those goods, its solution being to purchase on credit from its colonies. Canada, India, Australia, South Africa, and many other nations supplied England with necessary goods and war materials, on promise of future payment. The plan was that after the War ended, Britain would repay these debts with manufactured goods which a rebuilt Britain would be able to supply. These debts were recorded in the then British currency of Pounds Sterling, and maintained on ledgers in the Bank of England, commonly referred to as “The Sterling Balances”.

After the Second War ended, the US was the world’s only major economy that had not been bombed to rubble, a nation with all its factories intact, and able to operate at full capacity producing almost everything the world needed. The US had enormous capacity to supply, but the many countries of the British Empire, whose economies were in sound condition and had money to pay, were refusing to buy from the US since they were waiting for the UK to rebuild and repay the outstanding debts with manufactured goods. The US government and corporations realised that this enormous market consisting of so many of the world’s nations, would remain closed to it for perhaps decades, that it would have little or no commercial success in any part of the former British Empire so long as those Sterling Balances remained on the ledgers in the Bank of England. And this is one place where the true nature of America comes into sharp focus, an incident which serves better than many to illustrate the story of American “fair play” and of the US creating “a level playing field”.

At the end of the war, Britain, physically devastated and financially bankrupt, lacked factories to produce goods for rebuilding, the materials to rebuild the factories or purchase the machines to fill them, or with the money to pay for any of it. Britain’s situation was so dire, the government sent the economist John Maynard Keynes with a delegation to the US to beg for financial assistance, claiming that Britain was facing a “financial Dunkirk”. The Americans were willing to do so, on one condition: They would supply Britain with the financing, goods and materials to rebuild itself, but dictated that Britain must first eliminate those Sterling Balances by repudiating all its debts to its colonies. The alternative was to receive neither assistance nor credit from the US. Britain, impoverished and in debt, with no natural resources and no credit or ability to pay, had little choice but to capitulate. And of course with all receivables cancelled and since the US could produce today, those colonial nations had no further reason for refusing manufactured goods from the US. The strategy was successful. By the time Britain rebuilt itself, the US had more or less captured all of Britain’s former colonial markets, and for some time after the war’s end the US was manufacturing more than 50% of everything produced in the world. And that was the end of the British Empire, and the beginning of the last stage of America’s rise.

Americans have been propagandised into believing that their country selflessly supported the European war effort, and generously planned and financed the entire rebuilding of all of war-ravaged Europe. Their heads are full of ‘lend-lease’, the “Marshall Plan” and much more. But here we have three silent truths: One is that the US assisted Europe and the UK primarily because it needed markets for its goods. US corporations found little purchasing power in the European nations that were now largely destroyed and bankrupt, and without these markets the US economy would also have crashed. It was commercial self-interest rather than compassion or charity that prompted the US financial assistance to the UK and Europe. All the US did was provide large-scale consumer financing for the products of its own corporations, with most of the ‘financing’ never leaving the US. The Marshall Plan was mostly a welfare program for American multinationals. The second truth is that Europe and England paid heavily for this financial assistance. It was only in 2006 that Britain finally paid the last installment on the loans made to it by the US in 1945. The third is that the post-war financing of Europe was not primarily for reconstruction but as the foundation for an overwhelming political control that has largely persisted to this day. Funds from the American’s vaunted Marshall Plan were spent more to finance Operation Gladio than European reconstruction.

As William Blum so well noted in one of his articles, the US was far more interested in sabotaging the political left in Europe than in reconstruction, and Marshall Plan funds were siphoned off to finance political victories for the far right, as well for the violent terrorist program known as Operation Gladio. He also correctly mentioned that the CIA skimmed off substantial amounts to fund covert journalism and propaganda, one of the conduits being the Ford Foundation. As well, the US exercised enormous economic and political restrictions on recipient countries as conditions for the receipt of funds, most being used to help re-entrench the European bankers and elites in their positions of economic and political power (after a war that they themselves instigated) rather than to assist in reconstruction. In the end, the Europeans could have done as well without this so-called ‘assistance’ from the US, and Europe would have been far better and more independent today had they refused the offer. The conviction of most Americans that their nation ‘rebuilt’ Europe is pure historical mythology created by propaganda and supported by ignorance.

Original Posted by By Larry Romanoff at Global Research, 2 November 2019

[BillyB]

Wiz, do you think it would be a good thing if Britain now puts a claim on Canada, India, Australia, South Africa, and many other nations that were previous colonies and turn them into colonies again?

[Wiz]

Wiz, do you think it would be a good thing if Britain now puts a claim on Canada, India, Australia, South Africa, and many other nations that were previous colonies and turn them into colonies again?

Billy

Obviously you are not aware or shroud as the British Empire descendants!

You are most probably brainwashed by your MSM and your leaders that there is only one way to deal with other nations. Invade, lute and steal their assets and while doing that, you can kill 1000's, collateral damage, of innocent people in an effort to keep your Defence industries in business, unemployment numbers down and making richer your Criminal Elite.

Well the British Empire descendants, after the destruction of the Empire and  the taking over of it's colonies by the New Hegemon, decided to continue their association with the ex colonies by creating

The Commonwealth of Nations.

No need for any claims........ It is only the USA who needs to go around the world with your latest justification, FIGHTING THE WAR ON TERROR, while destroying countries.!



BTW Queen Elizabeth has not only been pictured on British currency notes but also on the money of various Countries under the British Commonwealth and Crown Dependencies all over the world!

I expect you are aware on how the British Empire descendants robbing you. the USA, via the Federal Reserve Bank .... even today!

Finally IF the USA is so strong around the Globe, why you continue having the "Special Relation with the UK"?

 

[BillyB]

No need for any claims

If there isn't a need to make claims and bring the British Empire back together then the British Empire dissolving shouldn't be called a destruction but a good thing. Many of those nations are free to rule themselves and if they don't like to do that, they can let the UK annex them.

I don't agree with Larry Romanoff's assessment that the US dissolved the British Empire. Me thinks Larry and you need to direct your anger towards Hitler, Ghandi, and a few others.

[Dogsoldier]

The nutcracker has returned to feed us his crackpot theories.
Oh well, it was a welcome break from his obsessions.

 

[Wiz]

No need for any claims

If there isn't a need to make claims and bring the British Empire back together then the British Empire dissolving shouldn't be called a destruction but a good thing. Many of those nations are free to rule themselves and if they don't like to do that, they can let the UK annex them.

I don't agree with Larry Romanoff's assessment that the US dissolved the British Empire. Me thinks Larry and you need to direct your anger towards Hitler, Ghandi, and a few others.

Sorry but if you cannot read and comprehend what somebody else is writing it's not my fault neither will spent time to educate you........I suggest you take off your blinkers and make an effort to comprehend what the writer has written.

Maybe the ugly crocodile, after his travel to Georgia.... probably can help you as I have better things to do....

 

[BillyB]

If I understand what the author wrote, you think I'd agree with him? I understood what the author wrote and that's is why I disagree with him.

[Wiz]

If I understand what the author wrote, you think I'd agree with him? I understood what the author wrote and that's is why I disagree with him.

The writer described historical events and if you had studied the British History, as I have done at school then you would not have a problem arriving to the same result.

Ask the older British Members to let you know if the events in the article narrative are correct or not?

Why don't you answer questions?

Obviously you don't have a clue about the USA and UK "Special relationship"!


[Trolling removed]

[BillyB]

The writer described historical events

The writer didn't attend those historical events so he gives us his opinion. My opinion differs from his.

[Steveboy]

I blame the demise of the British Empire on weak usless leaders and nothing more..

There is nothing left in the Uk it is like an old cupboard every thing has been cleaned out or sold, iconic car brands everything.. all gone, now they are selling the Steel works to China in fact every thing has been sold.. do you see the Germans selling  BMW or Mercedes to the Indians .. nooo

I even feel sorry for poor old United Kingdom once you could be proud.. alas no more ..

Wouldn't of happened if I was in power.. for a start I would of brought National service back.. Social security would of been stopped many years ago..

All to late now Britannia is on her way down to the bottom of the ocean Im beyond caring just visiting London for a few hours is enough for me..

Good bye and good night.. switch the lights off on the way out

[dcguyusa]

You mean the empire where the sun never sets is now the empire where the sun never rises?   

[Guile]

The last 2 British PM's quit and now Boris is in trouble...indeed God Save the Queen!  Can't she speed things up? 

[Wiz]

The writer described historical events

The writer didn't attend those historical events so he gives us his opinion. My opinion differs from his.

Of course Billy you know better than anybody else......since you left your birth country to come to USA. Fact is you were not even around when those events took place neither myself..... but you know better than anybody else!

Billy
I expect you are aware on how the British Empire descendants robbing you. the USA, via the Federal Reserve Bank .... even today!

Finally IF the USA is so strong around the Globe, why you continue having the "Special Relation with the UK"? 

Well Billy

You forgot to answer these questions.....I guess you already know the truth and that is why you avoid to reply!

 

[Wiz]

I blame the demise of the British Empire on weak usless leaders and nothing more..

There is nothing left in the Uk it is like an old cupboard every thing has been cleaned out or sold, iconic car brands everything.. all gone, now they are selling the Steel works to China in fact every thing has been sold.. do you see the Germans selling  BMW or Mercedes to the Indians .. nooo

I even feel sorry for poor old United Kingdom once you could be proud.. alas no more ..

Who were these leaders who sold out all the prime assets and pillars of the country?

What we see now is the last chapter of the imported Neoliberal policies and the final sell off of what is left, by the 2 Brexit protagonists.

When did you leave the UK to live to another country?

 


PS: Admin do we need Trolls spoiling any conversation?

[BillyB]

Finally IF the USA is so strong around the Globe, why you continue having the "Special Relation with the UK"?

 

Ok, I'll answer that. No matter how strong one is, we need friends. With friends comes benefits. Nothing wrong with that.

[Wiz]

Finally IF the USA is so strong around the Globe, why you continue having the "Special Relation with the UK"?

 

Ok, I'll answer that. No matter how strong one is, we need friends. With friends comes benefits. Nothing wrong with that.

Well said Billy and in the case of the "Special Relation" the UK it's better informed, of what is going on around the Globe than the USA, despite your superior technical capability and that is down to the previous history and sources of the UK, build during the Empire years that went on for centuries.

I suggest you read again the article and you will realise that the writer is pointing out to certain important info unknown to the General public, Like Operation Gladio.....and if you make some searches you will find out another picture of the one you were fed by your MSM.

Do you really pay attention of what is going on around the Globe where USA is involved?

[Wiz]

I blame the demise of the British Empire on weak usless leaders and nothing more..

There is nothing left in the Uk it is like an old cupboard every thing has been cleaned out or sold, iconic car brands everything.. all gone, now they are selling the Steel works to China in fact every thing has been sold.. do you see the Germans selling  BMW or Mercedes to the Indians .. nooo

I even feel sorry for poor old United Kingdom once you could be proud.. alas no more ..

Wouldn't of happened if I was in power.. for a start I would of brought National service back.. Social security would of been stopped many years ago..

All to late now Britannia is on her way down to the bottom of the ocean Im beyond caring just visiting London for a few hours is enough for me..

Good bye and good night.. switch the lights off on the way out

Steve

Here some news I just read on FT: The Americans know they can come and buy with Debt whatever they want......... That s the role Of Boris and Farage.....on BREXIT.

"Walgreens Boots Alliance, the $70bn drugstore chain, has received a buyout proposal from the private equity group KKR*, a deal that would be the biggest private equity transaction on record."

* KKR & Co. Inc. (formerly known as Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and KKR & Co. L.P.) is an American global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and, through its strategic partners, hedge funds.

[Steveboy]

Every empire comes to an end, some last longer than others.. nothing you can do about it, it's life..

The US empire is on it's last legs ..

There always comes a time when someone else takes over.. ask the Egyptians about it or the Romans..just read up on history.

The next global empires are going  to be coming from the East another few more years and the planet is going to be just one big extension of China the US will just be an Island in the middle of the Atlantic that no body needs any more, that is what is going to happen.. best just adjust and get ready for it..

[Wiz]

Every empire comes to an end, some last longer than others.. nothing you can do about it, it's life..

The US empire is on it's last legs ..

There always comes a time when someone else takes over.. ask the Egyptians about it or the Romans..just read up on history.

The next global empires are going  to be coming from the East another few more years and the planet is going to be just one big extension of China the US will just be an Island in the middle of the Atlantic that no body needs any more, that is what is going to happen.. best just adjust and get ready for it..

While I agree with you, the problem now is that the Hegemon US will not give up easily.....

Just look around right now and see how many fronts it has opened following the Mafia gangster mentality of it's president.

The world is already Multi polar......and not hegemonic!

 

[LoyalMan]

I don't blame any one except Hitler.

If UK had built her strong industry around her 200 colonies, she should not have begged USA for any help.

Don't forget.  Watson Watt taught USA the secret of Radar.  Without it, USA Navy should had become a loser in pacific war.

Whittle's jet fighter had joined the army by the end of WW II.  USA was still a brainless boy at that time!

And now USA is also declining after several dacades of burning her own resource.  The whole world suffers.  No more Californian Sunkist orange, juicy apples. No more manufacturing tools made in USA etc.  The Wall Street is even the worst burden of the world.

So Americans, please don't blame any one if we don't use US$ one day.  Her last responsibility is to take down the evil China commie whom the American milked and nurtured for a century.

[Steveboy]

Britain will never have a Empire again.. it's impossible to many lazy f*** s in the country today a long with all the rest of them..

Can you imagine bringing National service back in the event of a war, can you imagine all those soldiers storming Normandy again.. NO nor can I !! There is no patriotism left for a start.. most would be complaining of having no internet, the rest would be claiming gender issues stops them from fighting..

Country is absolutely finished for sure .. a few more years it will be one big retirement island in the channel run by a load of rag heads..

Im glad I shall be no part of sinking Britannia and all that sinks with her.. 

[dcguyusa]

Her last responsibility is to take down the evil China commie whom the American milked and nurtured for a century.

The founding of the CCP is almost nearing the 100th anniversary, but American involvement at its early history was limited.  Had Mao produced descendants like the NK dynasty, the country would probably be very different from where it is today.  The direction of China's history in the 20th century was altered by the European imperialist aggression that dates back to the Ming Dynasty.  The European imperialists altered the direction of the six "A"s.  That is, North America, South America (along with Central America), Asia, Africa, Australia, and even Antarctica.  And now they are targeting the two "M"s. That is, the moon and Mars.   

[andrewfi]

The writer described historical events

The writer didn't attend those historical events so he gives us his opinion. My opinion differs from his.

Not all opinions are of equal value. An opinion, such as yours that is not based in fact is pretty much worthless.

You don't know about the Atlantic Conference and the resultant Atlantic Charter. The Atlantic Charter was the document that Britain signed in order to get the support of the United States in WW2. The specific intent was the de-construction of the British Empire and the economic system that was baked into the Empire system. You can read about that here: The Atlantic Charter.

Once the Charter had been signed, all that remained was the pretext by which the USA would enter the war. The USA could not enter the European war for political reasons and so the Pacific would be the ideal theatre as it allowed the USA to deal with the Japanese Empire.

[Wiz]

The writer described historical events

The writer didn't attend those historical events so he gives us his opinion. My opinion differs from his.

Not all opinions are of equal value. An opinion, such as yours that is not based in fact is pretty much worthless.

You don't know about the Atlantic Conference and the resultant Atlantic Charter. The Atlantic Charter was the document that Britain signed in order to get the support of the United States in WW2. The specific intent was the de-construction of the British Empire and the economic system that was baked into the Empire system. You can read about that here: The Atlantic Charter.[/url

From the The Atlantic Conference & Charter, 1941

"Roosevelt also wished to arrange the terms by which Great Britain would repay the United States for its Lend Lease assistance. Roosevelt wanted the British to pay compensation by dismantling their system of Imperial Preference, which had been established by the British Government during the Great Depression and was designed to encourage trade within the British Empire by lowering tariff rates between members, while maintaining discriminatory tariff rates against outsiders."

The above is confirmation of your statement above and also evidence to the Historical Accuracy of the Original post.

 

[andrewfi]

Yes Wiz, I chose that particular reference because it came from a US .gov site and, as such would be expected to present a US friendly perspective. Other sources are far less restrained in their analysis. That this page, even with its accepted narrative supporting bias, was so clear on the subject should make clear the strategy and demands of the United States upon the UK.