Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

President Roosevelt's interactions with the British and French governments and their leaders shaped the reactions of all three nations to issues that have affected the domestic and international landscape for generations: the political, diplomatic, and economic challenges posed by the Great Depression, the rise of Hitler and the legacy of appeasement, and the creation and maintenance of the Grand Alliance of World War II. The verdict of historians on Roosevelt's relations with the British and French, seen in the context of these challenges, is mixed, not only because of authors' various perspectives, but also because of the difficulty of interpreting Roosevelt's intentions. Roosevelt frequently camouflaged his policies. He waited on events to clarify alternatives, he wanted to maintain control, and he loathed personal confrontation. He treasured personal contact where possible, yet often relied on intermediaries due to his physical and political/constitutional restrictions and the embryonic state of transoceanic flight. His devotion to personal diplomacy created opportunities for decisive leadership, but he often dithered and evaded decision before and during the war. His inattention to administration created confusion. Debating Franklin D. Roosevelt's Foreign Policies, 1933–1945 , a recent, concise, and highly useful overview of Roosevelt's policies, moves far beyond the hagiography ... log in or subscribe to read full text