British International Policy Framework (Since World War Ⅱ)-"Three Circles"

World War Two had a far-reaching impact on Britain, whose Empire used to cover one fifth of the whole world. The war exhausted Britain, but did not destroy its dream of a world power. However, the decline of its position as an economic and military power compelled Britain to adjust itself to adapt to a rapidly changing world in which the world power tended to be transferred to the emerging superpowers of the U.S. and the U.S.S.R, the demands for independence from the colonies amounted to a big pressure which might result in the crumbling of the Empire, the grim situation of Europe added to its future uncertainty which could be unfavorable to British influence. Well aware of the postwar international situation, and assuming that Britain still possessed a unique place in the world, Winston Churchill produced for Britain the diplomatic framework of"Three Circles", namely, the British Empire and Commonwealth, America and Europe. But this philosophy proved to be incompatible with the development trends of the world politics and Britain was destined to go through many frustrations. As a result, this policy turned out to be merely the psychology of a victor who luckily survived the War.