But Churchill could do nothing about it. Roosevelt was in danger. One of the protagonists in the greatest friendship in history is about to draw a pause in life.
Churchill once compared the meeting with President Roosevelt to "opening a champagne bottle". He is radiant and magnificent. Their love for their comrades-in-arms has really passed the test of "swords and swords, mountains and rivers and seas". This is Churchill's gratitude to his wife Eleanor Roosevelt on the day of Roosevelt's death. From1September 1939 1 1 to1April 19451/the night before Roosevelt died, there were as many as 2,000 letters between them. August 194 1, USS Augusta set sail from Shagang, Braesen, and February 1945, USS Quincy set sail from Alexandria, Egypt. Churchill and Roosevelt spent 1 13 days and nights together. At the end of the war, Roosevelt and Churchill celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year together, strolled in Hyde Park and Shangri-La (located in Cato Hill, Maryland, later renamed Camp David by American President Eisenhower), and even escaped the media attention and sneaked into Marrakech for a short holiday. There, Roosevelt was carried to the top of a tall tower and enjoyed the beautiful sunset reflected on the snow-covered Atlas Mountain. As an accomplished painter, Churchill recorded this moment with a brush, which was Churchill's only painting during World War II. In the spring of Roosevelt's death, he also planned to pay a state visit to Britain.
Mary Soames, the youngest and last surviving child of Churchill and clementina, quoted a French proverb when recalling the delicate and complicated relationship between his father and Roosevelt: "In love, there is always one party who is eager to pursue, and the other party is reluctant." Churchill was a hunter who pursued actively, and Roosevelt was a target who kept dodging. Their friendship just reflects each other's personalities. When Churchill and Roosevelt were together, he was always emotional and vigilant. When Roosevelt and Churchill were together, he was relaxed and calculating. Churchill was always keen to be comforted by Roosevelt, while Roosevelt was more calm and confident, giving people a feeling of being at arm's length.
There are countless books devoted to Roosevelt or Churchill, and there are many works directly related to their relationship. As Churchill judged more than 50 years ago, when someone offered to continue preaching to him, he replied, "There is nothing to hoe in this field." So why should I review this history today? Churchill and Roosevelt came to power in the middle of the 20th century. At that time, the development of science and technology brought people from different countries closer together, which led to a crisis of faith and people lost their way. Compared with 265438+the beginning of the 20th century, these have many similarities. In their time, the civilized world was attacked like never before, and wars, fragile alliances and genocidal massacres broke out one after another. It is precisely because of this that the advantages and advantages of the two of them are more worthy of attention, because the world they live in is no different from our present world, because they put the chaotic situation back in order.
This book is not a history of World War II, nor a research report on the "special partnership" between Britain and the United States. On the contrary, I think it is a true portrayal of the greatest friendship in modern history. If compared to a painting, it should belong to the category of impressionism, because emotions are fleeting and difficult to grasp. The military and diplomatic information recorded in World War II is informative enough for people to consult. The war claimed more than 55 million lives and disrupted the original world order. However, when writing this book, my main concern is Roosevelt and Churchill, focusing on telling everyone what their existence means to each other and what their relationship means to all of us.
At the beginning of World War II, whether Britain and the United States would really go to war was still an open question. 1940 in may, the British government and Hitler discussed the compromise. At that time, Hitler's fighter planes were sweeping across the European continent, unstoppable. Some people in London thought that Hitler should be further appeased, but Churchill firmly denied this proposal. So,1July 6, 940, when France fell, Hitler gave orders to his generals and began to prepare to March into Britain. But after careful study, it is not difficult to find that Hitler's orders are actually ambiguous; There seems to be a chance for peace. Hitler said in the order: "In view of the fact that Britain-although it has given up military hope-has not yet sent a signal that it is willing to reach an agreement with us, if the situation forces us to make a choice, I have decided to land in Britain to fight." Three days later, Hitler declared in his parliamentary speech, "I haven't found any reason why this war must continue." Of course, even if peace can come, it can't be that kind of quiet and peaceful peace, but Hitler-style peace. Perhaps acquiescence in Berlin's control of the European continent can delay the spread of Nazism. In London, Churchill shrugged off Hitler's proposal and simply ignored it. When the British government responded to Hitler's proposal by radio, CBS radio reporter William Schaller was in Berlin. Schaller recalled that a German government official he was talking to looked "stunned". The German said, "Can you understand what those English fools are thinking?" Reject the peace proposal at this time? They are absolutely crazy! "At the same time, it was in these months that Americans were not interested in going to war overseas, but from then until the end of 194 1 year, President Roosevelt began to lead the United States step by step and carefully to the forefront of fighting side by side with the world.
Their political talents have been reflected. When they deal with these thorny problems, they all put each other in their own thinking. From the beginning, Churchill thought that if you want to win, you must win Roosevelt over; After a period of indecision and indecision, Roosevelt realized that Churchill was the key to defeating Hitler. From being far away from Wan Li to talking face to face, they chose to trust each other. They struggled with domestic political resistance and resistance that prevented them from fighting across the border. Their efforts laid the foundation for ensuring that democracy finally defeated totalitarianism and tyranny.
Roosevelt and Churchill laid the foundation for our life today. There were four key turning points in World War II: a few months before Pearl Harbor, the United States decided to support Britain against Germany; 1942, the allied forces defeated the Germans in the desert of North Africa, preventing Hitler from reaching out to the Middle East. The development and control of atomic bomb technology and the right time to liberate Europe. These four turning points depend largely on their cooperation. Their partnership embodies the humanization of high-level political activities and shows people that even the two people who are least liked (according to the traditional concept at that time, they are the objects of contempt and ridicule) can stand out and become awesome leaders.
It is easy to look at the friendship between Roosevelt and Churchill with suspicious colored glasses. Some historians believe that the working friendship between Roosevelt and Churchill in wartime was largely a story made up by Churchill according to his own memory in order to establish a solid Anglo-American alliance. From an objective point of view, in the context of World War II, another American president or British prime minister may have the same result. However, I think the story of Roosevelt and Churchill proves two points: it is very important who is in power at the critical moment; Politicians who shoulder the heavy responsibility of leading the country in turbulent times will inevitably be affected by emotions, their haggling, their deception, their discord and quarrels.
Eleanor Roosevelt once wrote without complaint: "From the point of view that ordinary people can understand, a person in an important position no longer has the nature of husband, father and friend." From the moment Roosevelt and Churchill got to know each other during World War II, neither of them could really separate political life from personal life. The needs of government affairs and their ambitions determine their emotional world. Their relationship is very similar to that of many great men, and they belong to the type of exercising the art of governing the country while appreciating each other.
If politicians become good friends with others, especially other politicians, there must be practical needs. John colville, Churchill's private secretary, was called "Jock" and he was very familiar with the family of the Prime Minister. He once wrote: "Having said that, it would be a big mistake to say that Churchill's friendship was entirely out of political needs." "My father's friendship and feelings are completely heartfelt, and there is nothing to ask for," said Mary Soames. "He is not sophisticated when dealing with others. He is innocent and trustworthy. If necessary, he can also show his wily side, but those are all fake. "
Roosevelt is easy to impress people. Harry Truman once commented: "He is the most indifferent person I have ever met. He doesn't care about me or anyone else. I haven't seen it anyway. But he is indeed a great president who led the United States into the 20 th century. " Roosevelt's real emotional world is unpredictable. During the war, Eleanor Roosevelt's good friend Trude Rush often went in and out of the White House. She recalled: "Mrs. Roosevelt once said that all people serve the president alone, and she was right."
Roosevelt and Churchill became allies because of the situation. From the German invasion of Poland in 1939 to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 194 1, Churchill always asked Roosevelt for help. He must convince Roosevelt that Britain deserves the trust and help of the United States. 194 1 the United States officially entered the war in June+February, 65438, which opened the prelude to their warm friendship. This friendship lasted until June 1943 1 1. At that time, with the rapid growth of American power, Churchill was gradually excluded from Roosevelt's core consideration. In the late World War II, the "Luo Yiqiu relationship" was more subtle. 1944 and 1945, they have been married for many years and know each other's weaknesses and quirks, but they still choose to live together.
During the war, Churchill ostensibly made a gesture to please Roosevelt (he called himself "the president's sidekick", or often said "the boss has the final say"), in fact, he tried to minimize concessions. Roosevelt, on the other hand, insisted on his own ideas and opinions with the attitude of Confucianism and internal law. Nevertheless, the two of them still regard each other as friends. Eleanor Roosevelt can be said to be one of the few sincere people of that era. Trude Rush, a close friend of hers, once recalled: "Mrs. Roosevelt was always frank and sincere, especially with her friends." Although Roosevelt and Churchill had a deep friendship, the generous Eleanor always thought Churchill was too conservative. After the war, Eleanor mentioned in a public statement: "I will always thank Churchill for his leadership in the war. His friendship with my husband was sincere, and he never gave up. Without this friendship, it may be difficult to reap the fruits of victory; Without this friendship, these two honest and talented people may not be so relaxed and happy when they hold formal talks. "
194 1 During Christmas, Churchill took a shower and paced naked in the guest room of the White House. Churchill's assistant Patrick Kinner is taking notes for the wet Prime Minister in his room. He recalled, "It was completely naked." At this moment, there was a knock at the door, and Churchill said, "Please come in." It's Roosevelt. Seeing that Churchill was not dressed properly, he apologized and was ready to leave. Churchill asked him to stay: "Listen, Mr. President, I have nothing to hide from you." Roosevelt liked this frank attitude very much. Grace Tully, the president's secretary, once said, "The president laughs like a child. He later said to me,' Grace, I can still remember the scene. He is all pink and white. 194 1 after the presidential holiday, Roosevelt said to Churchill, "It's interesting to be born in the same era as you. "
There is really that tenderness between them. Eleanor recalled: "The friendship and affection between my husband and Churchill are growing day by day, and sometimes this affection has nothing to do with political diplomacy." 1943, Mrs. Churchill wrote in a personal letter to Roosevelt: "I hope you understand that your friendship is of great significance not only to the world, but also to Winston." As one of the drafters of White House speeches, playwright Robert E. Sherwood later made biographies of Roosevelt and harry hopkins respectively, adding two masterpieces to the history of biographies. He believes that Roosevelt and Churchill "established a relaxed sense of intimacy, accompanied by jokes and informality. They did not have grandiosity and empty talk. They were frank and frank in their exchanges."
C. British writer S. Lewis quoted American writer Emerson in the article "On Friendship", pointing out that Emerson thought: "Do you love me?" The actual meaning of this sentence is "do you have the same view of reality as me?" Or at least, "Is the reality you care about consistent with the reality I care about?" Although Churchill and Roosevelt had different ideas-Churchill hoped that the British Empire would survive the war and develop forever; Roosevelt, on the other hand, was more interested in the national self-determination of people in colonial areas all over the world-but these two aspects they cared about had the same connotation, that is, the ambition to defeat the Axis countries. And they are all convinced that this arduous task must be completed by themselves. The friendship between Roosevelt and Churchill involves not only personal feelings, but also, as Emerson said, the same belief and sense of mission. The ultimate victory was the wish of the people at that time, but only Roosevelt and Churchill knew the uncertain factors of supreme power. The two of them held the most critical power and decision-making power for a period of time. During World War II, isaiah berlin, a British official and essayist in Washington, once commented: "Their friendship is romantic. This friendship far exceeds the unhappiness caused by fighting side by side or compromising each other. They will consciously increase the chances of meeting or correspondence, and use these opportunities to sublimate their friendship: they are like brothers, and they are quite proud of each other's friendship, although the other side is sometimes sharp.
In contrast, Roosevelt was more politically minded, while Churchill was more human. When Hitler occupied the European continent and turned his greedy eyes to the other side of the English Channel, Churchill stood proudly and was fearless in the face of Hitler's ambition. At that time, a respected British man was going to compromise with Hitler and let him rule Europe. However, Churchill firmly stood on the side of defending freedom when others were indecisive, bought enough time for Roosevelt, prepared for the hesitant Americans, and made full preparations for gaining world dominance after the war. Together they defended the process of democratic innovation.
They are great men, but more are ordinary people. Churchill once wrote: "In order to make a fair evaluation of great men, critics must have keen discrimination and praise should not be excessive." Roosevelt's evasiveness and Churchill's attention to interests are their character defects, but at the same time they also made achievements in politics. Roosevelt's personality made him suffer setbacks in his marriage and circle of friends, but it made him a great president. Political negotiators have to make different preparations at the same time, so even the closest people can't understand their real thoughts and motives. Churchill's personality made him aggressive in social circles, bored others and made him a great prime minister. Because politicians sometimes have to be glib and don't give each other any chance to talk back, so as to make the conversation by going up one flight of stairs and convince others to agree with their views. When the clutches of German Nazism and Japanese imperialism were raging, the whole western world was led by two ordinary people who were no different from ordinary people. They also have shortcomings, love jealousy and are troubled by diseases, but they have extraordinary historical insight and courage. Eleanor Roosevelt once called the association between Roosevelt and Churchill "a lucky friendship". In fact, the whole world is lucky, because both Roosevelt and Churchill led the light when darkness came.