Churchill and Roosevelt Flashcards
Personal relationship
Not solidified in a friendship - Churchill had made unfavourable comments about Roosevelt in 1937 which were used during the 1940 election campaign by his opponents. Long term bitterness and spite.
November 1939 - Neutrality Act
USA repealed the Neutrality act which allowed Britain to purchase weapons from the USA
September 1940 - Destroyers exchange
50 US destroyers were exchanged with the British in return for leasing out 8 British naval bases. Exchanged on the Canadian border
Lend Lease Act - March 1941
President could sell, transfer or exchange military equipment to countries the President deemed vital to the defence of the USA. Resulted in over $31 billion in equipment being given to the British by 1945.
Atlantic Charter - August 1941
- No territorial gains were sought
- Any territorial gains should be in accordance with the people in that country
- Democracy would be favoured in all states
USA generosity?
- The destroyers provided were extremely old and not advanced
- USA took Britain’s gold reserved in South Africa as security for Lend lease payments
- The USA made large profits for supplying arms
June 1942 - Operation Sledgehammer
- Churchill met Roosevelt in New York to persuade him to not invade France. Instead Churchill promoted the idea of a joint campaign in North Africa. At the next meeting in Casablanca, Roosevelt agreed to the British strategy of Invading Sicily and then Italy.
US forces in Britain
At the beginning of 1942, over 1 million US troops were in Britain before being shipped to North Africa, Italy and eventually Normandy.
General Eisenhower
Despite Churchill wanting a British commander to lead operation overlord, Churchill was sidelined and it was agreed D.D.Eisenhower would be the commander of the operation.
Quebec Conference - September 1944
- Churchill got no commitment of for post-war financial assistance from the USA
