Since the French archives for the period were opened and German archives were extensively used, and United States politics were re-examined, a new picture of the international political economy of the years after the First World War has largely replaced the traditional one, especially as far as the problems and policies of France, Germany, and the United States are concerned. So far, however, Britain's role has received less fresh consideration, and the recently painted international picture thus contains an incomplete or unrevised corner – a corner that is of some importance. This study is intended to fill that gap, and to extend the picture beyond Franco-German problems, by examining British policy on reconstruction in the whole of Europe, east and west, and linking together aspects of reconstruction that are often kept separate from one another.

In the course of my research I have received help from many institutions and individuals. The University of Durham and the British Academy have provided grants for a number of visits to foreign archives. Colleagues at Durham have given me much encouragement and help, notably Dr Margaret Harvey and Professor W. R. Ward, Dr Ranald Michie and Dr Philip Williamson. Miss Joan Grant did the heaviest work of the typing. Elsewhere, Dr Kathleen Burk generously shared material with me.