Churchill And International Diplomacy Flashcards
How did Churchill view Britain’s international role in ww1
- saw Britain as a major world power entering Second World War
- for Churchill Britain was a great pose because of its extensive empire
- he thought the empire would fight along side Britain and would stand together to defend democracy and freedom
What was Churchill’s view on empire
Churchill believed it was in the common interest of Britain and white dominions
He appointed high ranking military leaders from from the dominions
Though he agreed to the Atlantic charter he had no plans to actually extend its democratic principles
The British colonies were expected to provide troops and resources to the war
What did Churchill see as Britain’s role after 1945
Churchill did his best to maintain British influence in the final years of war by attending wartime conferences
Churchill saw defeat of japan as bringing about a return to Britain’s major imperious role in south east Asia
After war Churchill saw Britain as being at the centre of international affairs and a promoter of western morale and democratic values
Established leader oF the UN
What policies were determined by wartime conferences
Commitment to democracy Mediterranean strategy accepted by USA decision to set d day Stalin’s sphere of influence Division of Germany after the war Decision to establish UN Stalin’s declaration of war on japan
How important a contribution did Churchill make
Churchill achieved his aims of getting Britain’s allies to accept Mediterranean strategy
Grand alliance was maintained
Influenced Stalin’s to agree to sphere of influence and not occupy Greece
USA shared atomic bomb with Britain.
Made clear at Tehran Britain was a junior partner
Churchill did not want to sign Atlantic charter
Compelled to accepts territorial changes in Poland
Sheer amount of travel involved weakened Churchill
Over estimated influence with USA
How well did Churchill deal with Roosevelt
- Britain was allowed to buy arms and 50 US destroyers in return for naval base -destroyers too old
- 1941 lend lease gave Britain materials and credit
- US navy patrolled a neutral zone in Atlantic to protect merchant ships
- agreed to Atlantic charter
- Roosevelt adopted Europe first policy
- US contributed to invasion of northern France in 1944
- Roosevelt was unhappy with the delay of invasion of France and wanted to commit more resources to japan
- did not share Churchill distrust of Stalin’s
How well did Churchill deal with Stalin’s
Put aside his dislike for communism to welcome Stalin’s as a ally
Disagreed in opening a second front
From 43 he was resentful when Roosevelt and Stalin’s appeared to be on closer terms with each other
-worried about Russian desire for expansion and made a deal with Stalin’s to divide Eastern Europe -percentage agreement
How well did Churchill deal with de Gaulle
Admired de Gaulle passion patriotism and Confidence but found him difficult to work with
De Gaulle was unwilling to work with other French leaders
Degaulle refused to work with favoured French leader giraud
The rivalry between degaulle and giraud threatened allied unity and caused strains as Casablanca conference of 1943
Churchill view on post war Europe
He spoke in favour of greater European unity at Zurich in 1946. Urged a United States of Europe
He spoke in favour of reducing trade barriers and promoting economic cooperations in Europe
Agreed for a council of Europe in 1949
How great was his commitment to European Union
Churchill still believed in Britain’s imperial role and maintaining empire
Involved special relations with Britain’s empire and commonwealth
Relationship with USA was essential in meeting threat to Europe
Post war Europe was still suffering
Churchill saw limitations to supporting Europe due to weak relations with French
Did not advocate joining post war Europe organisation such as European coal and steel community
He believed greater European cooperation was important as a mean of preventing spread of communism
what was the significance of the speech and the concept
it helped to foster the idea of an impossible barrier between the USSR and the west
thus worsening relations between russia and the west and encouraged the west needed to maintain armaments to defend itself
reinforced stalins belief in westeen hostility towards the USSR
what was the nature of the iron certain speech
the speech also referred to churchills administration for the valiant people in russia
it said that stalin did not desire war
called for a settlement
reflected the true situation at the time
berlin was divided between four powers and not completely under soviet control
czechoslovakia was not under total communist control
though the red army was a powerful influence it did not dominate eastern europe
what was the reaction to the speech
opinion at the time was not universally favourable
truman was unsympathetic
the usa was already concerned that the domination of eastern europe would threaten americas economic interests
