Roosevelt and Churchill The Atlantic Charter: A Risky Meeting at Sea that Saved Democracy

Winston Churchill was no stranger to storms, and in May 1940, he set out to meet President Franklin Roosevelt, the one man who could offer real assistance in his hour of need. Churchill's ship, HMS Prince of Wales, ran into a howling gale within hours of leaving its base at Scapa Flow, and Churchill demanded to be escorted to the Captain's cabin. The storm was so bad that the three-destroyer escort could not keep up, and Churchill gave the order Full steam ahead! The risks were considerable, especially as Churchill had brought the bulk of his senior military staff with him. When the secret journey was revealed a few days later, Members of Parliament were aghast. However, Churchill knew where his deliverance lay and knew that he could no longer postpone a meeting with the man who held Britain's fate in his hands. After five days, the coast of Newfoundland hove into view, and when Britain's Prime Minister was piped aboard USS Augusta at Placentia Bay, there began a meeting that allowed FDR and Churchill to get to know each other and become friends. This meeting produced a document, the Atlantic Charter, an eight-point agreement designed to act as a guide for how the world's nations should behave towards each other in the post-war years. The Charter of the United Nations incorporates many of the principles laid out in this document. The authors of this book seek to explain how this document came into being and delve into the lives of the two most prominent and influential figures of the twentieth century, FDR and Churchill. They have also added biographies of the men who helped them change history, such as Harry Hopkins and Sumner Welles, Lord Beaverbrook and Lord Cadogan, and Randolph Churchill, the rambunctious and often misunderstood son who had a greater influence on his father's life than many critics were willing to accept. The creation of the Atlantic Charter stands as a pivotal moment in time, the moment two great leaders, men of courage, empathy, and imagination, stood alone against tyranny to save the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Winston Churchill, a renowned figure in history, had weathered numerous storms throughout his illustrious career. These storms had presented themselves in various forms, testing his resilience and determination. From the moment he assumed the role of Prime Minister of Britain in May 1940, dark clouds loomed over him. Fifteen agonizing months later, Churchill embarked on a mission to meet President Franklin Roosevelt, the sole individual who could provide genuine assistance in his time of dire need. Yet another storm awaited him—this time of a meteorological nature as his ship, HMS Prince of Wales, encountered a fierce gale shortly after departing from its base at Scapa Flow. Churchill, displaying his unwavering spirit, demanded to be escorted to the Captain's cabin. His escort was a nervous young officer who feared for the Prime Minister's safety, considering the darkness and the swaying stairs aboard the ship. However, Churchill embraced the challenge, describing it as an adventure after being confined to the confines of No. 10 Downing Street. The storm was so severe that the three-destroyer escort, tasked with protecting the battleship from potential torpedo attacks by German U-Boats, struggled to keep up. Undeterred, Churchill issued the order, "Full steam ahead!" The risks were substantial, particularly as Churchill had brought the majority of his senior military staff along for the secret journey. When news of the expedition reached the Canadian Prime Minister, he deemed Churchill's actions as madness. However, when the secret journey was subsequently revealed, Members of Parliament were astounded. Nevertheless, Churchill possessed a clear understanding of his path to salvation and knew that he could no longer delay a meeting with the man who held the destiny of Britain in his hands. After a grueling five-day voyage, the coast of Newfoundland finally came into view. As Britain's Prime Minister, Churchill was welcomed aboard USS Augusta at Placentia Bay. This meeting, in hindsight, would mark a pivotal moment in history.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 233 x 157 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526797834