A canard out of time? Churchill, the War Cabinet and The Atlantic Charter, August 1941

• Published in: Review of International Studies
• Main Authors: Pressnell, L. S., Hopkins, Sheila V.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1988
• Subjects: Political Science and International Relations; Sociology and Political Science; Cavalier; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0260210500113282; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0260210500113282

1. The charges against Churchill Did Mr Churchill, Britain's wartime Prime Minister, display ‘cavalier behaviour5 towards his Cabinet over The Atlantic Charter9 of 1941? Having decided ‘to ignore’ their views, did he somehow seek to ensure, ‘rather ineptly’, that crucial telegrams should conceal his deviousness? Dr A. P. Dobson makes these accusations in this Review in April 1984,] They relate to ‘RIVIERA’, Churchill’s first wartime meeting with President Roosevelt, between 9 and 12 August 1941 in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland. Concerned primarily with wartime collaboration, though the United States was not yet formally a belligerent, the two leaders outlined peace aims in a hastily drafted joint declaration, promptly named ‘The Atlantic Charter’. Their fierce debate over its fourth economic ‘Point’ reflected American pressure to secure advantage from assistance, under the Lend-Lease Act of March 1941, to Britain's war effort.