Co-Operation with Like-Minded Peoples: British Influences on American Security Policy, 1945-1949

241 Pages·1986·5.295 MB·English

by  Richard A. Best Jr.

"CO-OPERATION
WITH
LIKE-MINDED
PEOPLES"
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' 'CO-OPERATION
WITH
LIKE-MINDED
PEOPLES"
British Influences
on American Security Policy,
1945-1949
RICHARD A. BEST, JR.
Contributions in American History, Number 116
Greenwood Press
New York • Westport, Connecticut * London
Library of Congress Cataloglag-ta-PuMkatloa Data
Bert, Richard A.
Co-operation with like-minded peoples.
(Contributions In American history, ISSN 0064-9219 ;
no. 116)
Bibliography: p.
Includes Index.
1. United States—Foreign relations—1945-1933.
2. United States—Military relations—Great Britain.
3. Great Britain—Military relations—United States.
4. United States—Military policy. 5. United States—
National security. 6. Great Britain—Foreign relations
-1945- . I. Title. II. Series.
E8I3.B46 1986 327.41073 85-27306
ISBN 0-313-24850-8 (lib. bdg. : alk. paper)
Copyright © 1986 by Richard A. Best, Jr.
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be
reproduced, by any process or technique, without the
express written consent of the publisher.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 85-27306
ISBN: 0-313-24850-8
ISSN: 0084-9219
First published in 1986
Greenwood Press, Inc.
88 Post Road West, Westport, Connecticut 06881
Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the
Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National
Information Standards Organization (Z39.48-1984)
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
FOR
MY MOTHER AND MY FATHER

CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix
ABBREVIATIONS xi
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 3
Chapter 2 BRITAIN AND THE POSTWAR WORLD 13
The Soviet Challenge 14
Labour in Power 22
Mechanisms of Anglo-American Defense
Cooperation 27
Chapter 3 AMERICAN STRATEGIES FOR
POSTWAR DEFENSE 51
Chapter 4 THE AMERICAN SERVICES AND
POSTWAR REALITIES 69
The Army Air Forces 72
The Ground Forces 83
The Navy 92
Chapter 3 THE EVOLUTION OF AMERICAN FOREIGN
POLICY 111
Byrnes Meets Churchill 114
viii CONTENTS
Foreign Policy and Defense Policy Intersect 120
The Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean 125
The Truman Doctrine, March 1947 132
The Talks at the Pentagon, October 1947 136
Chapter 6 FROM LONDON TO BRUSSELS TO NATO 149
Bevin’s Initiative 150
Negotiation Commences 154
Tripartite Talks 163
A Period of Doubts 166
The Berlin Crisis Forces Decision 170
Chapter 7 A STRATEGY FOR AN ALLIANCE 177
AFTERWORD 193
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 197
Manuscript Collections 197
Government Documents 198
Unpublished Dissertations and Studies 199
Books 201
Oral Histories 208
Articles 209
INDEX 213
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author is deeply grateful to Professor Thomas T. Heide of
Georgetown University for his shrewd advice and kindly guidance
in the preparation of the dissertation on which this study was based
as well as for the example of his lifetime dedication to the study and
teaching of the history of international relations.
Of the numerous librarians and archivists who provided profes­
sional assistance, I would like to mention several who were especially
helpful. At the National Archives, Sally Marks and Kathy Nicastro
of the Diplomatic and Legislative Records Branch made available
the vast records of the Department of State with remarkable effi­
ciency. In the Modern Military Headquarters Branch, John E.
Taylor searched his now legendary mental file for pertinent
materials and Wilbert B. Mahoney greatly assisted in locating and,
in some instances, obtaining the release of key documents. At the
Truman Library, Dennis Bilger provided valued advice and
support. At the Naval Historical Center, Dean C. Allard gave me
the benefit of his encyclopedic knowledge of modern naval history
and Martha L. Crawley rapidly and intelligently guided me through
the records of the postwar Navy.
In Britain the staff of the Public Record Office at Kew exceeded
the traditonally high standards of the British civil service. The
precisely ordered reports, minutes, recommendations and records
X ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
of decisions provided insight into a decision-making process some­
what at variance with the more diffuse and less structured patterns
customary in Washington.
In addition I would like to thank a number of private individuals
who were particularly kind. Professor Donald Cameron Watt of
the University of London graciously received me and gave me the
benefit of his unrivaled insights into the conduct of British foreign
policy. Keith Eiler readily gave me access to his notes on the career
of Secretary of War Patterson. Professor Jon Wakelyn of Catholic
University, an old friend, took an early interest in the publication
of this study by the Greenwood Press. Professor James P. Shedel
of Georgetown University supplied important assistance at a
crucial juncture. Alison Luchs gave never-flagging encouragement.