The United Kingdom and the USA “special relationship” during second world war

Special relations between two states, United Kingdom and the USA, extremely developed after the announcing II World War. Father of developing relationship was Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR). Firstly the phrase “special relationship” used in «Sinews of Peace» speech of Churchill at Fulton, Missouri, on March, 5, 1946. Mostly establishing of “special relationship” is considered like relations based on friendship of individuals Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) from the USA side and Winston Churchill from the United Kingdom side. Roosevelt and Churchill correspondence during war period was based on over 1700 letters [1,4]. Also during this period organized 11 secret meetings between Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Europe which faced fascism started to search allies for combating fascism. During this period of time according to financial opportunities the USA was the most favorably ally for Europe. Taking into account common history, language and culture , shared understanding of democratic principles of the USA and United Kingdom was created alliance between two states. The main purpose of United Kingdom was to combat fascism and to stop spreading, in the other hand the USA was seeking a means to enhance and extend American military and economic power during war period. As world witnessed the USA was the country which financially strengthened after the II World War.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill requested help from the USA in his correspondence to Franklin D.Roosevelt after the loss of 11 British destroyers in 10 days in July, 1940. In response to this letter Roosevelt reminded his correspondent that as President he did not have the authority to loan war materials at his pleasure, stating “I am not certain that it would be wise for that suggestion to be made to Congress at this moment.” [1, 95] But President Roosevelt by permission of Congress agreed to give 50 US destroyers to exchange for 99-year leases on British bases in the Caribbean and Newfoundland. [2, 73] In the 1940 Presidential election campaign, Roosevelt promised to keep America out of the war. He stated, "I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again and again; your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars."

In 14 August 1941 British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt met on the board of military ship“Augusto”at Placentia Bay, where was created “The Atlantic Charter”. Main principles of the Atlantic Charter: a set of broad principles that mounted a democratic counter-attack against the philosophy of totalitarianism: it also questioned the morality of colonialism, but, while this was to be an important area of disagreement between Britain and the USA in the course of the war, for the moment the British played down the issue. [2, 73] The USA didn’t involve into a war till December, 1941.

In order to obtain succesfull results the main factor was financial basis. If two leaders Churchill and Roosevelt discussed battle scenarios, Jhon Maynord Keynes, which was the Head of foreign economic relations and his colleagues the Head of Exchequer Chamber of the USA Henry Morgentay and his Deputy Harry Dexter Whight dealed with financial side of ally. Keynes in his memories indicated visit of Churchill to american president as follows: “Two friends discussing plans sitting surrounded by war documents and by counting amount of military equipment, ... but penniless”. Productive work of Keynes and Morgentay resulted to creation lend-lease programme, Marshall plan after the end of the Second World War.

After Japanese attacks in December, 7 1941 to Perl Harbor was established long term alliance between two states United Kingdom and the USA. Above mentioned events forced the USA to move steadily form “isolationism” policy to Britain main ally position. The main aim of this alliance was to combat fascism and to create peace in the world. Henry Kissinger described this alliance as follows: “concert of super powers”. [3, 126]

Secret correspondence, close degree of the trust between two states lead two countries to the Victory in 1945. Churchill announced in his speech that “ “special relationship” is what he worked for, dreamed for ….”. Roosevelt in his Four Freedoms speech emphasized the belief in strength of transatlantic relationship. Both cooperated in the following spheres: economic relations, military and atomic cooperation, intelligence cooperation.

At the beginning of the Second World War the USA side had resources and British side had imperial experience of implementing it. For example, the USA haven’t foreign intelligence service. During Second World war UK shared their experience with the USA military services. The first agreement in intelligence service was signed in November, 1940.

Alliance between two countries also had tensions. English scientist in his D. Reynolds in the work based on the use of English and American archives, concludes that both countries had a common interest in containing Hitler's survival and the UK, but they are aware of the continuing rivalry between them in the economic sphere and in the relationship, as the great powers . Throughout the 30s

British politicians were concerned about the mismatch between liabilities metropolis and its capabilities . This became especially palpable in the second half of the decade , when London felt more and more threatened by the emerging coalition of hostile powers - Germany, Italy and Japan. Although it was believed that Germany is the primary danger , the other two powers also threatened the global interests of the United Kingdom. Japan Expansion in the Far East inflicted significant damage to British interests in China, as well as a potential threat to the southeastern part of the British Empire, including India. Dominant position in the Eastern Mediterranean of Britain threatened Italy . In case of simultaneous crisis in the two most sensitive regions of the British fleet , the D. Reynolds writes, if he could not protect all the interests of the empire , not to mention the proper protection of the British Isles by Nazi Germany. [4, 473] Churchill aimed to save the power of British Empire. The aims of the USA side was totally controversial to their ally plans, at the end of the Second World War they hoped that British Empire would collapse, to limit the power of British Queen by the terror of British island, de emphasize the role of UK in international decision making process, which would give opportunity to the USA to divide world power by their rules.

The main mean in achieving the USA aims was Lend Lease project. Firstly, to prevent Britain to withdraw from the war. It was vitally necessary for Washington in order to be sure that Hitler would not dominate in the Atlantic region, respectively, to threaten the United States itself. I was genius diplomatic talent of Roosevelt circumvent the law of neutrality, which prohibits the U.S. government to provide loans states at war. Secondly lend lease was good mean to force the United Kingdom to agree with Washington's plans on the postwar world order in which there would be no more British Empire, sterling area or imperial preference system, which has been discriminated American goods. The obvious conclusion is that the policy of any military alliance , and , in particular, the British- American alliance , not only focused on achieving victory in the war , but also as a share of its burdens and costs and who would reap rewards of the victory . In addition, this example clearly shows that British-American "special relationship"is absolutely pragmatic interests of states, which supports these relationships. There is no reason to believe seriously that this situation is not typical for the present.

U.S. to for a long time adhered isolationist policy, sought to protect America from any alliances, as allegedly feared tarnish traditional American values. Obviously, isolationism has long ceased to be an option for the world superpower foreign policy. But still partly US adhere to isolationist policy, by taking position of virtuous superiority in international issues.

The Roosevelt administration also had been developing far-reaching projects , more based on American principles , rather than on objective reality. The rapid transition from isolationism to world domination the U.S. never faced with the presence of some " average " in international relations , where there is no clear division between white and black, but there are only different shades of gray

. The United States thus need partners performing secondary auxiliary functions , and not allies , as American politicians adamantly believe that only they develop the best plans.

Therefore, public opinion is not entirely dominated by a true understanding of the specificity of bilateral Anglo-American relations, implying that the partnership, which is actually fully operated only during the Cold War. The basic idea of this partnership was a "natural alliance of English-speaking peoples," which consisted of periods of world wars and leadership which smoothly moved from the UK to the United States.

However, it is very important standard approach ignores the fact that the First World War was followed by a wave of U.S. isolationism, due primarily Anglophobia movement. Public appearances in the United States during the interwar period were imbued beliefs that Britain drew the United States into the war, which in no way affected the interests of the American people, and was on hand only a small group of financiers and arms dealers. Such beliefs and led to the signing of the Neutrality Acts.

In 30th years of XX century financial and commercial competition between Great Britain and the United States extinguished. United Kingdom, perhaps the words of Harry Dexter White, turned into a "leaving super power" [5, 61], to be replaced by another (USA), but the UK still has enough resources to "to leave" for a long time. Among these resources are an important place occupied the British Empire, which as a result of agreements in Ottawa in 1932 approved discriminatory measures against imports of U.S. goods. The U.S. Secretary of State called the agreement that established the imperial system of preferences, "unbearable insult" for American trade. [6, 43]

The main aim of the UK at the talks was not only to get help, but to get it with the least losses, having won as much opportunities for maneuver in future alliance. Churchill under various pretexts refused to discuss with Roosevelt future of the British Empire. When excuses do not help, the British Prime Minister has agreed to sign the documents, which were openly declarative nature, like the Atlantic Charter in 1941. The British side lost at this battle. Returning from a Washington trip in 1945, Keynes wrote: "I hope I never fall fate to try to convince your opponent to do what I want with so little trump cards" [7,29]

According to some analysts, the Roosevelt administration officials, including the president himself, considered the Soviet Union, and not the UK, as the future main partner of the United States in the post-war system of international relations. [8, 87]

Disappointment in the Soviet Union came gradually in the end of Second World War. At the end of 1944 Keynes was confident that the USA would be forced to help to save United Kingdom as super power. Britain was the only reliable and loyal ally of the United States. [7, 38]