Roosevelt and Churchill: A Friendship That Saved The World

Context of World War II

• June 1940: Britain stands alone against Nazi-controlled Europe.
• Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of Britain amidst imminent threat from Nazi Germany.
• Battle of Dunkirk: A significant defeat for British and French forces, contributing to British despair.
• Churchill's Speech (June 4, 1940): Aimed to boost national morale with a strong commitment to fight against Nazi Germany.

The United States' Position

• Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR): U.S. President, considering a third term amidst global tensions.
• Japanese Aggression: Japan's expansionist moves in China and the Pacific raised tensions.
• Isolationism in the US: FDR had to navigate American resistance to joining the war.

FDR's Third Term and Strategic Shift

• 1940 Presidential Election: FDR runs for a third term.
• "Arsenal of Democracy" Speech: FDR discusses national security and the importance of supporting Britain.
• Lend-Lease Program (March 1941): The U.S. begins supplying military aid to Britain to combat the Axis threat.

Pearl Harbor and U.S. Entry into the War

• December 7, 1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan prompts the U.S. to enter the war.
• Allied Confidence: Churchill and Britain gain hope for victory with U.S. involvement.

Collaborative War Efforts

• FDR and Churchill Meetings: Multiple strategic meetings between the leaders, both in the U.S. and the UK.
• Hyde Park Aide Memoire (September 14, 1944): Agreement to collaborate on the atomic bomb, known as Tube Alloys and later the Manhattan Project.

End of the War

• FDR's Death (April 12, 1945): Churchill laments FDR's passing before war's end.
• European Victory (May 1945): Germany surrenders shortly after FDR's death.
• End of Pacific War (August 1945): President Harry Truman authorizes the atomic bomb's use against Japan, concluding the war.

Legacy of Roosevelt and Churchill

• Special Relationship: Their partnership was crucial in overcoming the Axis powers.
• Churchill's Eulogy: Honors FDR as a significant ally to Britain.