The fact that France and Britain did go on to win the war preserved their great-power status, but to a very considerable extent they were great powers by default, and their appearance of strength and solidity was no more than an illusion.
The quote from James L. Stokesbury's "A Short History of World War II" reflects on the post-war status of France and Britain. Although both countries emerged victorious from the conflict, their continued status as great powers was not entirely earned through strength or capability but rather was a result of the circumstances of the war.
Stokesbury implies that the perceived power of these nations was somewhat misleading. Their position on the global stage was more about surviving the war than showcasing genuine strength and fortitude. This indicates that their influence might have been more superficial than substantive in the aftermath of World War II.
