--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It came as a great shock to me when I…" description: "\"It came as a great shock to me when I heard that England and Soviet Russia had become allies. So much so that I thought that the people responsible in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/john-amery-33738_acting_it-came-as-a-great-shock-to-me-when-i-he_2064549.jpg" --- # It came as a great shock to me when I heard that England… ![“It came as a great shock to me when I heard that England and Soviet Russia had become allies. So much so that I thought that the people responsible in London were acting in a manner that no longer coincided with British imperial interests.” quote by John Amery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/john-amery-33738_acting_it-came-as-a-great-shock-to-me-when-i-he_2064549.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/john-amery-33738_acting_it-came-as-a-great-shock-to-me-when-i-he_2064549.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc1/john-amery-33738_acting_it-came-as-a-great-shock-to-me-when-i-he_2064549.jpg) > “It came as a great shock to me when I heard that England and Soviet Russia had become allies. So much so that I thought that the people responsible in London were acting in a manner that no longer coincided with British imperial interests.” [John Amery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-amery/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker expresses surprise at the unexpected alliance between Britain and Soviet Russia, seeing it as a betrayal of traditional imperial goals. **In simple terms:** Surprised by a new alliance that seems to betray old interests. Key Takeaway Reevaluate assumptions about political alliances. Themes politics betrayal history imperialism Mood cautious reflective Type historical political When to use this quote - diplomatic negotiations - war strategy - foreign policy analysis - historical research Key Concepts realpolitik ideological shift national interest Questions to Reflect On - How do shifting alliances affect national identity? - What drives nations to abandon former doctrines? A Different Perspective Alliances can be pragmatic, not always ideological. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Allies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allies/) [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/england/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/london/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Russia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russia/) [Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shock/) [Soviet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soviet/) [Soviet russia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soviet-russia/) ## Related quotes > [We have an interest in excellent relations because we are neighbours as Europeans with Russia. 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You can imagine that before taking this step I hoped that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-amery/listeners-will-wonder-what-an-englishman-is-doing-on-the-german-radio/) [John Amery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-amery/) > [Not only the priceless heritage of our fathers, of our seamen, of our Empire builders is being thrown away in a war that serves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-amery/not-only-the-priceless-heritage-of-our-fathers-of-our-seamen-of-our/) [John Amery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-amery/) > [That is why I come forward tonight without any political label, without any bias, but just simply as an Englishman to say to you:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-amery/that-is-why-i-come-forward-tonight-without-any-political-label/) [John Amery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-amery/) [Explore all 14 John Amery quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-amery/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. 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