Amazing USA/Australia Treaty 1946

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Lang

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The Lend Lease scheme was negotiated (against serious US opposition) when Britain totally ran out of money. Up to that point USA had demanded full payment ie transfer of British gold reserves, to cover all purchases. Even after the British Empire countries had their gold reserves raided to save the motherland the cupboard was bare. It was undoubtedly Churchill's finest hour when he went to USA and schmoozed Roosevelt to support the cause. There is no doubt that Lend Lease, and its extension to Russia particularly, was a war-winning decision.

Lang

It wasn't just Churchill, but a full press of the Royals too. The new king and Queen Mum weren't comfortable out of Europe and weren't sure how they'd be received. Accounts of the day said they found the Americans a funny lot with some peculiar personal and cultural habits, but gracious nonetheless. FDR was no isolationist, which helped greatly.

[Lang]

If you want to read about the British propaganda campaign to overcome US neutrality and get them into the war you should read "Selling the War" by Nicholas John Cull.

Churchill got his Lend Lease in 1941 without an American war committment so he was dancing in the streets when Pearl Harbour happened. His next successful sell was to have a Europe First policy probably against America's real interests in the Pacific.

Lang

[Mike K]

During the later WW2 days, the Americans were pressurising Britain , the US policy was the 'empire' days are over . Colonial territories and mandates were to be given up . FDR was directly cajoling Churchill over this , FDR was very much a anti colonial person.

[Lang]

That's why America took a mandate over the Marshall Islands, American Samoa, Panama Canal Zone and a number of others???