Chapter 3 Churchill and International Diplomacy, 1939-51
What were Churchill’s views on Britain’s world and imperial roles?
Churchill’s views on Britain's international role in WW2:
- Churchill wanted Britain to play a leading part in war-time decisions and to be a major
influence on any post-war settlement.
- Saw Britain as a promoter of Western moral and democratic attitudes.
- Britain standing alone against Nazi Germany in 1940 gave it huge prestige.
Churchill used this to ensure that Britain played a role that was greater than her
contribution to the war effort really justified.
(The 9 million deaths and 13 million civilian deaths of the USSR were not matched by a
total of 452,000 British deaths and 420,000 American deaths. The Battle of Stalingrad
alone saw over 1 million Soviet casualties.)
- Britain was a leader in establishing the UN (an alliance of 30 nations against the Axis
powers), and the first meetings of the Security Council and General Assembly were held
in London. He promoted European unity and co-operation.
- However, he saw Britain as having a unique position because of its relationship with the
USA and its huge empire.
Churchill’s views on the empire:
- Saw the defeat of Japan as a return to Britain’s imperial role in south-east Asia.
(not granting independence to India, Malaysia or Singapore).
He imprisoned leaders of the ‘Quit India’ campaign and enforced British rule in India
throughout the war. He was blamed for instigating/ exacerbating the Bengal Famine of
1943.
- Churchill saw the war as a conflict between democracy, freedom and Christian values
and the dark forces of Nazism and dictatorship. However, he also believed in Britain's
role to maintain its empire that used violent repression to maintain control and did not
allow its non-white subjects the right to vote.
- Believed in the common interests of Britain, the USA and the ‘English speaking’ white
dominions, who would stand together to defend democracy and freedom. He relied on
their wartime support, appointing some high ranking military leaders from the dominions.
, - His view of colonies was very different. Despite agreeing to the Atlantic Charter, he
didn’t wish to extend democratic principles to those parts of the empire that were not
majority white.
Colonies were expected to provide troops, food and materials for the war effort without
getting any concessions towards greater self-government.
- He resented US concerns about the empire and restated his commitment to preserving
it. He saw the empire as a force for good.
How did Churchill manage his relations with other wartime leaders?
Roosevelt - Successful relations:
● Churchill put a great deal of emphasis on the ‘special relationship’ between Britain and
America, as they were both English speaking democracies. Seen as the ‘partnership
that saved the West’.
● Established warm relations when creating the Atlantic Charter in Aug 1941, an
agreement on common principles:
- Neither side wanted territorial gains
- Everyone can choose the government that they live under
- All states have equal access to trade/ raw materials
- Improved labour standards/ social security
● Even when there was no certainty of US intervention, Roosevelt did give Britain support
before December 1941:
- In November 1939 the US repealed the Neutrality Act which allowed Britain to purchase
US arms.
- Anglo-American Naval cooperation. The USA declared a neutral zone along the coast
of the US and South America. The US Navy patrolled this to prevent the sinking of
merchant shipping by the Germans.
- Sept 1940 - 50 old US destroyers exchanged with Britain for leases to 8 British naval
bases.
- March 1941 - Lend-lease Act was passed, so the US could provide war materials to any
government whose defence the President deemed vital to the defence of the USA.
Allowed Britain to receive $31.6 billion of assistance by 1945.
● The PM flew to Washington as soon as possible after the US entered the war and made
a very positive impression. America now saw Chruchill as a heroic figure rather than an
old-fashioned imperialist. Churchill’s oratory played a major part.
● British policy prevailed in 1941:
- Churchill got the USA to adopt a ‘Europe First’ policy of defeating Germany before
Japan
- Churchill’s schemes in the Med/ North Africa were accepted.
- The invasion of Northern France was delayed.
- British strategy for invading Sicily and then Italy was accepted by Roosevelt.
What were Churchill’s views on Britain’s world and imperial roles?
Churchill’s views on Britain's international role in WW2:
- Churchill wanted Britain to play a leading part in war-time decisions and to be a major
influence on any post-war settlement.
- Saw Britain as a promoter of Western moral and democratic attitudes.
- Britain standing alone against Nazi Germany in 1940 gave it huge prestige.
Churchill used this to ensure that Britain played a role that was greater than her
contribution to the war effort really justified.
(The 9 million deaths and 13 million civilian deaths of the USSR were not matched by a
total of 452,000 British deaths and 420,000 American deaths. The Battle of Stalingrad
alone saw over 1 million Soviet casualties.)
- Britain was a leader in establishing the UN (an alliance of 30 nations against the Axis
powers), and the first meetings of the Security Council and General Assembly were held
in London. He promoted European unity and co-operation.
- However, he saw Britain as having a unique position because of its relationship with the
USA and its huge empire.
Churchill’s views on the empire:
- Saw the defeat of Japan as a return to Britain’s imperial role in south-east Asia.
(not granting independence to India, Malaysia or Singapore).
He imprisoned leaders of the ‘Quit India’ campaign and enforced British rule in India
throughout the war. He was blamed for instigating/ exacerbating the Bengal Famine of
1943.
- Churchill saw the war as a conflict between democracy, freedom and Christian values
and the dark forces of Nazism and dictatorship. However, he also believed in Britain's
role to maintain its empire that used violent repression to maintain control and did not
allow its non-white subjects the right to vote.
- Believed in the common interests of Britain, the USA and the ‘English speaking’ white
dominions, who would stand together to defend democracy and freedom. He relied on
their wartime support, appointing some high ranking military leaders from the dominions.
, - His view of colonies was very different. Despite agreeing to the Atlantic Charter, he
didn’t wish to extend democratic principles to those parts of the empire that were not
majority white.
Colonies were expected to provide troops, food and materials for the war effort without
getting any concessions towards greater self-government.
- He resented US concerns about the empire and restated his commitment to preserving
it. He saw the empire as a force for good.
How did Churchill manage his relations with other wartime leaders?
Roosevelt - Successful relations:
● Churchill put a great deal of emphasis on the ‘special relationship’ between Britain and
America, as they were both English speaking democracies. Seen as the ‘partnership
that saved the West’.
● Established warm relations when creating the Atlantic Charter in Aug 1941, an
agreement on common principles:
- Neither side wanted territorial gains
- Everyone can choose the government that they live under
- All states have equal access to trade/ raw materials
- Improved labour standards/ social security
● Even when there was no certainty of US intervention, Roosevelt did give Britain support
before December 1941:
- In November 1939 the US repealed the Neutrality Act which allowed Britain to purchase
US arms.
- Anglo-American Naval cooperation. The USA declared a neutral zone along the coast
of the US and South America. The US Navy patrolled this to prevent the sinking of
merchant shipping by the Germans.
- Sept 1940 - 50 old US destroyers exchanged with Britain for leases to 8 British naval
bases.
- March 1941 - Lend-lease Act was passed, so the US could provide war materials to any
government whose defence the President deemed vital to the defence of the USA.
Allowed Britain to receive $31.6 billion of assistance by 1945.
● The PM flew to Washington as soon as possible after the US entered the war and made
a very positive impression. America now saw Chruchill as a heroic figure rather than an
old-fashioned imperialist. Churchill’s oratory played a major part.
● British policy prevailed in 1941:
- Churchill got the USA to adopt a ‘Europe First’ policy of defeating Germany before
Japan
- Churchill’s schemes in the Med/ North Africa were accepted.
- The invasion of Northern France was delayed.
- British strategy for invading Sicily and then Italy was accepted by Roosevelt.
