What appears in these pages is the history of the British-Spanish Society and the effect of its action in the relations between the UK and Spain during the 20th Century. It was a non-political organisation, but the governments of both countries had interests in controlling it, which demonstrated that culture was a very useful tool in the diplomatic sphere. In its first period, this institution was in harmony with the Foreign Office's objectives, but it came to be led by the Spanish Embassy in London after World War II.

The history of the British-Spanish Society is a perfect example of how cultural strategies have played a key role in foreign policy since the early 20th Century. Undoubtedly the Instituto Cervantes, the British Council and the Institut Français have contributed, and are still contributing, to international affairs. These institutions not only promote the teaching of modern foreign languages but also bring different worlds together, pursuing diplomatic objectives which no one would have expected. Although many variables have prevented us from making an appropriate comparison, associations like the Anglo-Spanish Society set a precedent in the usage of culture in international relations.

Today, states have modified their foreign policies, including a wide range of strategies in line with a globalised world. Governments have become aware of the importance of culture in diplomatic relations and have used it to intervene in foreign affairs. Many countries have institutions which are designed to strengthen their own national images abroad. However, from the beginning, the Anglo-Spanish Society was promoted by the UK Foreign Office and, while many members were Spanish and Latin-American, it was under British control.

As previously mentioned, a group of British academics, businessmen and politicians created the Anglo-Spanish Society to reach several commercial and strategic objectives during the Great War. However, this association only partly met these objectives; it intended to counteract German influence on Spanish public opinion, but it had a limited impact on Spain. The Society also pursued the improvement of British trade with Spanish-American countries. It was believed that the wider learning of Spanish in Great Britain should be encouraged and that a better knowledge of this language would help British companies to do business with Latin America.