Series 6: British imperialism in China
- S00924
- Series
- 1911-2000
Part of Stephen Lyon Endicott fonds
Series consists of materials used for the creation and defence of Stephen Endicott’s doctoral thesis on British imperialism in China in the 1930s. It includes interviews conducted during his two-year stay in London and extensive documentation from both governmental and business sources. These sources reveal the intense friction between a cautious Foreign Office (Sir John Simon) and a bold Exchequer (Neville Chamberlain) over what course of action should be taken in East Asia during those volatile years and the success of the large and powerful British capitalist and financial interests (Asiatic Petroleum Company [BP/Shell Oil], Imperial Chemical Industries, Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation [HSBC] et al in the China Association) in pushing a forward policy in China despite the growing displeasure of a heavily armed Japan.