This book relates the development of Anglo-Australian-New Zealand
relations during and immediately after the second world war to the role
of the United States in the South-west Pacific. Based on the results of
comprehensive multi-archival research, the book highlights the extent of
American-Commonwealth rivalry in the region and following the crisis of
late 1941 and early 1942 demonstrates how the reforging of imperial
links was shaped by the expansion of American power in Pacific areas
south of the equator. It provides an important and timely reassessment
of the economic, political and strategic factors that led Britain,
Australia and New Zealand to conclude that the postwar affairs of the
South-west Pacific should be dominated by the British Empire.