A Compelling Case for Voluntarism: Britain’s Alternative Strategy,1915-1916

Abstract

British strategy during the Asquith coalition 1915-16 is usually described as being a battle between ideological `voluntarists’ and `compulsionists’, with the latter prevailing as Lloyd George came to power. In fact the view held by the leading voluntarist, the chancellor of the exchequer, McKenna, was not predicated on theory but on efficiency. Moreover, such were the consequences of his warnings being ignored, Britain found itself by 1917 in a position he had predicted, being forced into employing the policies he had advocated. The difference was that by then it was not out of choice.