File:1940.12.08.ChurchillRoosevelt.jpg
Summary
1940.12.08, Letter by Winston Churchill to Franklin Roosevelt.
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Description
Just how special was the ‘special relationship’ in the Second World War? (Part 1, 1939–41) Get full access to the Churchill Archive Source 2 Letter from Winston Churchill to President Roosevelt, 8 December 1940 Reference CHAR 23/4/11 (images 1 and 4)
Simplified Transcript
My dear Mr President
As we reach the end of 1940, I feel you’d want me to tell you what I think will honestly happen in 1941. I do this because I think most Americans understand that their safety depends on the survival of Britain and its Empire and their control of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The control of the Pacific Ocean by the US Navy and the Atlantic by the British Navy is essential for our security and trade and it’s the best way to stop the war spreading to the US.
(Section 17). Finally, I need to discuss money. The more weapons and ships you send us, the faster our money is spent. We’ve already spent a lot so far… Very soon we won’t be able to pay for the shipping and supplies.
Original Transcript
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
Printed for the War Cabinet. December 1940.
MOST SECRET Copy No. 42
W.P. (40) 466 (Final Revise).
December 8, 1940.
TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to
ensure the secrecy of this document.
WAR CABINET
10 Downing Street, Whitehall,
December 8, 1940.
My dear Mr. President,
AS we reach the end of this year, I feel you will expect me to lay before you the prospects for 1941. I do so with candour and confidence, because it seems to me that the vast majority of American citizens have recorded their conviction that the safety of the United States as well as the future of our two democracies and the kind of civilization for which they stand, are bound up with the survival and independence of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Only thus can those bastions of sea power, upon which the control of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans depend, be preserved in faithful and friendly hands. The control of the Pacific by the United States Navy and of the Atlantic by the British Navy, is indispensable to the security and the trade routes of both our countries, and the surest means of preventing war from reaching the shores of the United States.
…
17. Last of all, I come to the question of Finance. The more rapid and abundant the flow of munitions and ships which you are able to send us, the sooner will our dollar credits be exhausted. They are already, as you know, very heavily drawn upon by the payments we have made to date…
…The moment approaches when we shall no longer be able to pay cash for shipping and other supplies.
References
- ↑ https://www.churchillarchiveforschools.com/themes/the-themes/anglo-american-relations/just-how-special-was-the-special-relationship-in-the-Second-World-War-Part-1-1939-41/the-sources/source-2 Just how special was the ‘special relationship’ in the Second World War? (Part 1, 1939–41) Get full access to the Churchill Archive Source 2 Letter from Winston Churchill to President Roosevelt, 8 December 1940 Reference CHAR 23/4/11 (images 1 and 4)
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