United Kingdom–United States relations in World War II facts for kids

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United Kingdom–United States relations in World War II



United Kingdom	United States

During World War II, the United Kingdom and the United States worked very closely together. This included teamwork in diplomacy, military plans, money, and supplies. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Franklin D. Roosevelt became good friends. Their friendship helped guide their countries, even beyond their official government and military groups.

Leaders and Decisions in World War II
Key Meetings During the War
Lend-Lease Program
Military Teamwork
- Combined Chiefs of Staff
- Sharing Technology
India and the War
See also

Leaders and Decisions in World War II

Both President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill were very important leaders during the war. They made big decisions, but they also listened to advice from military experts, diplomats, business leaders, and the public.

How Roosevelt Led the US

President Roosevelt made most of the big foreign policy decisions himself. His Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, mostly handled formal duties. The Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Morgenthau Jr., had a strong say in money matters. He was also involved in foreign policy, especially with the Lend-Lease program. Roosevelt was practical, but some of his actions seemed very moral to the British.

In military matters, the Joint Chiefs of Staff was a key group in the US. It was led by Admiral William D. Leahy, a close friend of Roosevelt. This group worked directly with British military leaders in a new organization called the Combined Chiefs of Staff. This group was based in Washington, D.C. Military decisions were made here and then sent to the commanders in different war zones. This idea of combined command was new and helped the Allies work together. Important areas for teamwork included the Mediterranean and Western Europe. US General Dwight D. Eisenhower led forces in both these areas.

The Friendship of Roosevelt and Churchill

Historians often talk about the strong friendship between Roosevelt and Churchill. They also look at how these two leaders dealt with Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union. Roosevelt and Churchill met in person 11 times. They also sent over 1,700 messages and even made some phone calls. Roosevelt also sent trusted helpers like Harry Hopkins and W. Averell Harriman to meet with Churchill. Harriman even went with Churchill to the Moscow Conference in 1942. He explained why the Allies were fighting in North Africa instead of opening a second front in France.

How Churchill Led the UK

Churchill led a government that included all major political parties. He was in charge of his War Cabinet. Clement Attlee, the leader of the Labour party, was Deputy Prime Minister. He quietly handled most of the country's internal affairs. Like Roosevelt, Churchill used his strong personality and public image to inspire people. Churchill made all the top foreign policy decisions himself. His Foreign Minister, Anthony Eden, handled less visible issues. Churchill also made himself Minister of Defence. He often got involved in military plans and argued with his military leaders. Many historians agree that Churchill was a great wartime leader. They often highlight how well he got support from the United States.

The British sent two very effective ambassadors to Washington. Lord Lothian served from 1930 to 1940. After he died, Lord Halifax took over from 1940 to 1946. The US Ambassador in London from 1941 to 1946 was John Gilbert Winant, who did a good job.

After the US joined the war in December 1941, foreign policy issues became less debated. Both countries were fully focused on winning the war.

Key Meetings During the War

Leaders from the UK and US held several secret meetings to plan their war strategy.

Atlantic Charter in 1941

Roosevelt and Churchill met secretly in Newfoundland in August 1941. They created a statement called the Atlantic Charter. This document became the main guide for the Allies fighting Germany. It set out the goals for the world after the war. These goals included no country taking land from another by force. It also said people should be able to choose their own governments. The Charter promoted global cooperation for better economic and social conditions. It also called for freedom from fear and want, and freedom of the seas. Countries that agreed to the Atlantic Charter later signed the Declaration by United Nations in January 1942. This declaration became the basis for the modern United Nations. The Charter was a powerful tool to inspire people. However, Churchill made it clear that he believed it did not apply to the British Empire.

Arcadia Conference (1941–1942)

The Arcadia Conference took place in Washington, D.C., from December 1941 to January 1942. Top British and American military leaders met there. Churchill and Roosevelt made several big decisions that shaped the war in 1942 and 1943. They decided to invade North Africa in 1942. They also agreed to send American bombers to bases in England. The British also agreed to strengthen their forces in the Pacific. This conference created the Combined Chiefs of Staff. This group, based in Washington, approved all military decisions. The conference also drafted the Declaration by United Nations. This committed the Allies to fight until victory and not make separate peace deals with the enemy.

Quebec Conference (1943)

At the Quebec Conference, 1943 in Canada in August 1943, Churchill, Roosevelt, and the Combined Chiefs planned their strategy against Germany. They started planning the invasion of France, known as Operation Overlord. They also discussed increasing bombing attacks on German facilities in France and nearby countries. They agreed to keep building up American forces in Britain for the invasion of France. Churchill also highlighted the benefits of operations in the Mediterranean area. They decided to use more force to get Italy out of the war and to occupy Italy and Corsica. Military teamwork was very close and successful at this meeting.

Casablanca Conference (1943)

From January 14 to 24, 1943, Roosevelt, Churchill, and their military staff met in Casablanca, Morocco. They decided on the main Allied strategy for Europe in 1943. This included the invasion of Italy and planning for the invasion of France. At Roosevelt's request, they agreed on a policy of "unconditional surrender." This meant the Allies would fight until the enemy completely gave up. This policy boosted Allied morale. A challenge was getting the two main French allies to work together: Henri Giraud and General Charles de Gaulle. Roosevelt did not like de Gaulle, but Churchill supported him. They decided to split control of liberated French areas between the two Frenchmen.

Lend-Lease Program

The United States spent about $50 billion on Lend-Lease aid. This aid went to the British Empire, the Soviet Union, France, China, and other smaller countries. This amount was about 11% of what the war cost the US. The US received about $7.8 billion back in goods and services from these countries. This included rent for American bases abroad. Lend-Lease aid was not usually money. Instead, it was supplies and services. These included military weapons, civilian supplies like ships, oil, food, and machinery. The British Empire received $30.0 billion from 1940 to 1945. This included aid to India, Australia, and other colonies. Russia received $10.7 billion.

The question of repayment came up. Roosevelt said the US did not want a debt problem like after World War I. A small part of the goods that were still useful, like merchant ships, were returned to the US. The countries receiving aid also provided bases and supplies to American forces on their own land. This was called "Reverse Lend-Lease." It totaled $7.8 billion, with 86% coming from the British Empire. Canada and Britain also had similar aid programs for other countries. In the end, no one paid for the goods they received.

Military Teamwork

Combined Chiefs of Staff

The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) was the highest military group for the United States and Great Britain during World War II. It made all the major military decisions for both nations. These decisions had to be approved by Prime Minister Churchill and President Roosevelt. The CCS controlled forces from all Allied nations in all war zones. Other Allied nations' representatives were not members of the CCS. However, the CCS did talk with "Military Representatives of Associated Powers" about big strategic plans.

Sharing Technology

The two nations worked very closely on technology. Thanks to the Tizard Mission, they shared secrets and weapons. This included radar, special fuses for bombs, airplane engines, and ways to break Nazi codes. They also worked together on the atomic bomb project.

India and the War

There was a lot of disagreement over American support for India's independence. Churchill strongly opposed this idea. For years, Roosevelt had encouraged Britain to let go of India. The American view was against colonialism.

The people of India were divided. Some wanted the British out so much that they sided with Germany and Japan. They formed the Indian National Army (INA) from Indian prisoners of war. This group fought with the Japanese in Burma and eastern India. There were also many pacifists who followed Gandhi. They believed all violence was wrong and wanted to stay out of the war.

There was also tension between the Hindu majority and the Muslim minority in India. For the first time, the Muslim community became very active in politics. They strongly supported the British war effort. Over 2 million Indians volunteered for military service, including many Muslims. The British listened to the demands of the All-India Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. This was because Britain needed Muslim soldiers in India and Muslim support across the Middle East. London used the religious tensions in India to justify continuing its rule. They said it was needed to prevent religious massacres, which later happened in 1947.

The Labour Party in Britain, led by Attlee, supported India's independence. They had close ties to the Congress Party in India. The British government sent Sir Stafford Cripps to India with a peace plan. It offered India self-rule after the war. But the Congress Party demanded independence right away, and the Cripps mission failed. Roosevelt supported the Congress Party. He sent his representative, Louis Johnson, to help negotiate some form of independence. Churchill was very angry about this. He refused to work with Roosevelt on the issue and even threatened to resign as prime minister if Roosevelt pushed too hard. Roosevelt then backed off.

In 1942, the Congress Party started the Quit India Movement. This was a nonviolent protest. The police quickly arrested tens of thousands of activists, including Gandhi, and held them for the rest of the war. Meanwhile, wartime problems caused severe food shortages in eastern India. Hundreds of thousands of people died from starvation. Many Indians still blame Churchill for the Bengal famine of 1943.

For the war effort, India became a major base for American supplies. Lend-Lease operations also helped the local economy. The 2 million Indian soldiers were very important to British success in the Middle East. Muslim support for the British war effort was key in the British decision to divide India into two new states: India and Pakistan.