Sorry, but this idea that Britain was finished by WW1 is a nonsense.
Until 1940, we were still the greatest and most powerful superpower on earth, and the financial hub of the world. We had the world’s biggest ever Empire, which EXPANDED after WW1, we had the world’s largest navy and a large army and air force. British intelligence was also the world’s finest.
And in science, technology and culture (literature, music), Britain still led the world. Be it Alexander Fleming, John Logie Baird or George Orwell. Be it radar, Colossus or penicillin.
Yes, Britain suffered in WW1. But the idea we ceased to be a major power after 1918 because of that is complete nonsense. Britain only abdicated top spot in 1940, and remained one of the three major world superpowers for another 30 years.
Let me be clear: If it weren’t for the English Channel, Hitler’s panzers would have overrun Britain as effortlessly as they did the rest of Western Europe.
GB suffered tremendously during during WWI (as did France). It’s losses were incomprehensible to most Americans who probably still don’t grasp it to this day. I’ve seen the figures. Between the wars, a huge pacifist movement took place, the economy was horrible, taxes were high and unemployment rampant.
True, you still had your empire, but mostly in primitive areas in Africa and the Middle East which were at the time easy to exploit and subjugate.