Strategy and science fiction: Britain and the invasion scares, 1905-1909

Abstract

This thesis examines the relationship between journalism, 'future war' literature, strategic studies and government defence policy in Britain from 1905 to 1909. It is an analysis of the discourse created by a small group of men, concerned with British national efficiency caused by the challenges Germany posed to Britain's political and economic position in the world. It assesses the similarities in the visions promulgated by strategic publicists and fiction writers and their attempts to raise concerns over national defence with the objective of affecting government policy. It illuminates the blurred line between fact and fiction, through the case studies of The Times military journalist, Charles a Court Repington, and 'future war' writer, William Le Queux by exploring how and why these two men both used a vision of invasion to advocate a larger army.