The UK has now cleared it's debt, in relation to WWII, owed to the USA and Canada.
It's not too bad, we only had to pay back twice the original amount. Very favourable interest rates.
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The UK has now cleared it's debt, in relation to WWII, owed to the USA and Canada.
It's not too bad, we only had to pay back twice the original amount. Very favourable interest rates.
We didn't HAVE to pay most of it back, we chose to, unlike the Australians, who still haven't coughed up for the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
Thanks, awfully.Quote:
Originally Posted by Agrajag
Don't know that there are any others who bothered; France, for example...:whistling
Oh, right.
That was just lives, not materiel.
I wouldn't swear to this, but I think you'll find the US offered to forgive the war debt, the UK turned them down and chose to pay, maybe the French, if they had a debt, chose to take the US up on the offer.Quote:
Originally Posted by j2k4
I wouldn't doubt either scenario.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ava EstelleI wouldn't swear to this, but I think you'll find the US offered to forgive the war debt, the UK turned them down and chose to pay, maybe the French, if they had a debt, chose to take the US up on the offer.Quote:
Originally Posted by j2k4
The Brits have always been stand-up, the French, not so much.
They probably didn't want to have to listen to American tourists making comments about "bailing your asses out" for the next millennium :naughty: ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ava Estelle
Canada says "Thank you."Quote:
Originally Posted by Agrajag
:shuriken:
Unfortunately we still had to tho'. :O:shutup:Quote:
Originally Posted by vidccThey probably didn't want to have to listen to American tourists making comments about "bailing your asses out" for the next millennium :naughty: ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ava Estelle
As ever a pleasure doing business with you.Quote:
Originally Posted by MagicNakorCanada says "Thank you."Quote:
Originally Posted by Agrajag
:shuriken:
As opposed to 'saving your asses', and 'you'd all be talking German'?Quote:
Originally Posted by vidcc
Hey I never said the plan would work :shifty:Quote:
Originally Posted by AgrajagUnfortunately we still had to tho'. :O:shutup:Quote:
Originally Posted by vidcc
yesQuote:
Originally Posted by Ava EstelleAs opposed to 'saving your asses', and 'you'd all be talking German'?Quote:
Originally Posted by vidcc
does this mean the dollar is even weaker?
Are you suggesting that the reduction of the US debtor's figure may have actually de-valued their currency? It's an interesting point, however I would have thought that, given it is such a miniscule amount it is unlikely to have had any real effect.Quote:
Originally Posted by GepperRankins
Maybe we will learn from this fine example set for us.
Russia has paid all its debt to he IMF due to it shuge oil income
The First World War cost Britain most of its overseas reserves it had to sell most of its assets to pay for the war ! Its been broke ever since !
regards
Digby
That was the second world war, the US wouldn't extend credit until Britain sold it's "Empire".Quote:
Originally Posted by digmen1
Does that mean we can afford to have another world war now? :blink:
Interest free credit, or hire-purchase pay nothing until 2051? :unsure:
exactly what I was going to say. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by MagicNakorCanada says "Thank you."Quote:
Originally Posted by Agrajag
:shuriken:
I knew you were going to say that.Quote:
Originally Posted by maebachexactly what I was going to say. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by MagicNakor
No it was the First World War.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ava EstelleThat was the second world war, the US wouldn't extend credit until Britain sold it's "Empire".Quote:
Originally Posted by digmen1
Britain had to sell most of its foreign assets (eg most of the railways of South America) to pay for the First World War buying materials and subsiding many of the Allied participants.
See Winston Churchill's book - I think it was called The World Crisis where he lists two pages of figures on this subject. I've lost my copy.
Kind Regards
Digby
NZ
Traditionally, a juncture such as this requires that someone insert the word "pwned", I believe. :naughty:Quote:
Originally Posted by digmen1No it was the First World War.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ava Estelle
Britain had to sell most of its foreign assets (eg most of the railways of South America) to pay for the First World War buying materials and subsiding many of the Allied participants.
See Winston Churchill's book - I think it was called The World Crisis where he lists two pages of figures on this subject. I've lost my copy.
Kind Regards
Digby
NZ
And that would be you, would it?Quote:
Originally Posted by j2k4
The United States demanded that in return for Lend Lease, which Britain desperately needed to sustain its war effort, Britain pledge itself to abandon any aspirations of post-war empire, dismantle the system of imperial preference and shrink the sterling area to prevent it from competing with the dollar.
We know how you love to jump in on a whiff of triumphalism j2, but you really should try reading before commenting, I suggest John Maynard Keynes: Fighting for Britain, 1937-1946.
The price Britain paid for US financial support was the dismantling of the British Empire.
I actually see how that might happen, if their accountants count money other people owes you as assets, same as yours do :unsure:Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr JP FugleyAre you suggesting that the reduction of the US debtor's figure may have actually de-valued their currency? It's an interesting point, however I would have thought that, given it is such a miniscule amount it is unlikely to have had any real effect.Quote:
Originally Posted by GepperRankins
Maybe potential money is worth more, somehow.
Especially if you paid earlier than expected.
In this case?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ava EstelleAnd that would be you, would it?Quote:
Originally Posted by j2k4
Yes, I believe that would be me.
Well, that could be your characterization of the arrangement, but I would read it differently, as well you know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ava Estelle
The fact is, whether your version is true/accurate/radically misleading/just dumb does not adequately inform the events which followed.
What we do know, and what is generally accepted as true, is that aid was asked for/offered to the British advantage, She was therefore able to successfully conclude the Second World War, but, to the eternal regret of some, ceased to rule much beyond Her native Isles.
Whatever the eventuality, it seems clear that, if the U.S. did indeed demand forfeiture of Her empire, Britain saw a workable play, and accepted.
I honor those who decided to survive, and win the war by doing so.
WTF, triumphalism?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ava Estelle
I didn't start this thread, you know, and besides which:
Did Keynes buy it?
Or did he shy from judgement?
I mean, really now...do you want to argue about it?
We could argue about who fucked up Iraq first and worst, if you like...
So sorry for not replying sooner; my 40 lb. puppy punched me in the eye Sunday evening, and I didn't read your post until just now.
I live in a broke country. :OQuote:
Originally Posted by digmen1
You'd think someone would have said. :shutup:
I thought Maggie said it plainly, didn't she?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr JP FugleyI live in a broke country. :OQuote:
Originally Posted by digmen1
You'd think someone would have said. :shutup:
No, however if it's true it's more likely she did it than the damned bosch.Quote:
Originally Posted by j2k4I thought Maggie said it plainly, didn't she?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr JP Fugley
Curse you Red Baron.