Churchill: International Diplomacy

Question 1

What wre Churchill’s achievements by 1944? [5]

Answer 1

• The support of the self-governing dominions was not guaranteed, especially during the 30s with appeasement
• USA was persuaded to defeat Germany first (‘Europe First’ policy), pursuing war in the Mediterranean and delaying second front in France RATHER THAN war in the Pacific
• 9m Soviet losses (+13m civilians) vs 452,000 for GB and 420,000 for US YET USSR alliance maintained
• GB not forced to make commitments to end Empire, despite democratic/self-governing principles of Atlantic Charter (1941)
• Maintained GB influence as moral power, champion of civilisation, influence on war and imperial policy DESPITE defeat in Norway and France (1940) WITHOUT major land troops in Europe (until 1944)

Question 2

What non-interventionary support did the US provide? []

Answer 2

• Repealed Neutrality Act in 1939, allowing GB to buy US arms (‘arsenal of democracy’ defence in December 1940)
• September 1940, ‘Destroyers-for-bases’ was a symbolic show of support. 50 old US destroyers were exchanged for leases on 8 GB naval bases
• March 1941, ‘Lend-lease’ agreement leading to $31.6Bn in assistance for GB by 1945
• April/ July 1941, US troops occupt Greenland/Iceland to stop Germans using as naval base
• August 1941, Placentia Bay meeting leading to Atlantic Charter and ‘destruction of Nazi tyranny’ language

Question 3

Why was US reluctant to join?

Answer 3

• US generals concerned about British splitting forces in North Africa instead of preparing for invasion of France
• Secretary of State Cordell Hull thought Empire would stand in the way of global free trade for US; Britain could claim territory like in 1919 in Germany and Turkey
• FDR found Empire immoral (wanted self-determination)

THEREFORE:

• Destroyers in destroyers-for-bases were obsolete
• US took British gold reserves in SA as collateral for Lend-lease payments
• Profits from selling arms

Question 4

When did Hitler declare war on the US?

Answer 4

11 December 1941, after PEarl Harbour

Question 5

FDR-Churchill disagreements?

Answer 5

• Giraud (US) vs de Gaulle (UK)
• Buildup of US forces in GB (over 1m from Jan 1942 before being shipped to North Africa/Italy/buildup to D-Day)
• FDR sidelined Churchill in favour of Stalin by Quebec 1943
• Churchill preferred attacking the Balkans
• FDR never visited Churchill in Britain, Churchill didn’t go to FDR’s funeral

Question 6

Churchill disagreements with Stalin?

Answer 6

• Ideological hatred for Communism
  Sent British forces to Russia in 1917 to overturn revolution
• Stalin protested against Churchill not opening up a new front
• Yalta 1945 Churchill had to accept loss of Poland to Soviet influence

Question 7

Churchill getting on with Stalin?

Answer 7

• ‘If Hitler invaded Hell, I would at least make a favourable reference to the Devil in the House of Commons’
• % agreement - realpolitik - Victorian ‘spheres of influence’ diplomacy respected by Stalin
• Stalin didn’t offer help to the Greek Communists in the civil war
• Anxious to maintain Empire, no sympathy for self-determination, country first (and heavy drinkers)

Question 8

Churchill and France - positives?

Answer 8

• Willing to send further forces after Dunkirk and commit airforce to France despite RAF commanders’ advice
• Offered Anglo-French union to keep France in the war
• Mers-el-Kebir destruction of French fleet, 1297 servicemen killed

Question 9

Churchill and de Gaulle negatives

Answer 9

• Uncompromising and self-proclaimed leader of ‘Free French’
• Title not accepted by FDR and Churchill