article_snippet: The two world wars severely depleted Britain's human and material resources.
article_snippet: The heyday of the world's largest-ever empire and of London and Liverpool's control of a vast maritime trading network had passed.
article_snippet: As the Cold War took global grip, the United States purposefully pushed Britain aside.
article_snippet: the United States took over the United States military bases, the United States spheres of influence, and the United States markets.