Cabinet Decisions on Foreign Policy: The British Experience, October 1938–June 1941

by Christopher Hill

• ISBN13: 9780521391955
• ISBN10: 0521391954
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1991-06-28
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Although Parliament is the principal source of authority in the British political system, it is the Cabinet which stands at the pinnacle of government. Yet what actually happens at Cabinet meetings? How are decisions made, particularly in the arena of foreign policy? Such questions have hitherto been largely overlooked by both historians and political scientists. In this book, Dr Christopher Hill presents a detailed case-study of the British government and foreign policy, during the dramatic period from the Munich Conference of 1938 to the German invasion of the Soviet Union three years later. Using extensive archival material, he examines how far the strong personalities of Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill respectively were really able to dominate their Cabinets in an area of policy where Prime Ministers have traditionally been supposed to exercise considerable freedom. This analysis concentrates on six decisions that were of key importance in committing Britain to the war which began in September 1939 but which changed so sharply in character in June 1940 with the fall of France. An original study of foreign policymaking at the highest level, this book will be widely read by international relations specialists while historians will welcome the close-textured account of key episodes of this period. It will also reinvigorate debates among political scientists on the nature of Cabinet government.

Table of Contents

List of figures

List of tables

Acknowledgements

Preface

1. Cabinets, foreign policies and case-studies

2. Constructing the Polish Guarantee, 15-31 March 1939

3. The Soviet question, April-August 1939

4. Entry into war, 1-3 September 1939

5. Reacting to the 'peace offensive', October 1939

6. To continue alone? May-June 1940

7. The longer term: war aims and other committees, October 1940-June 1941

8. Decision-making in Cabinet

Appendices

Notes

Bibliography