Ship Harbour's Moment in World History
There are a number of important historical places in Newfoundland and Labrador. Ferryland, Cupids, Battle Harbour and Signal Hill are among many that come to mind. But none are more important than Ship Harbour, Placentia Bay. For it was there that two battleships and two world leaders met during the Second World War, to put together a document that would change the course of world history. Known as the Atlantic Charter, the document was created by then prime minister Sir Winston Churchill, representing Great Britain; and then president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, representing the United States. The Charter later became the basis of the United Nations in what we now know as the Free World, albeit with many new nations added since. The meeting between Churchill and Roosevelt took place in August 1941, several months before the U.S. entered the war. Actually, although the U.S. hadnât declared war on Germany at that time, it was playing a major part in the war effort. It was supplying Britain with everything from airplanes to foodstuffs to technology. Hitler controlled most of Europe at the time - Britain was the only nation that stood in the way of Germany controlling the entire continent. Allied merchant ships were being sunk at an alarming rate. Many people all over the world, including people inside Britain, believed that Germany would win the war and conquer Britain. I believe that Roosevelt would have already declared war on Germany except he didnât have the support of the American people. Anti-war protest groups were formed in the U.S., including the America First Committee, which boasted 800,000 paid members in 450 chapters. It would take a significant event to win over the will of the American people.That significant event turned out to be the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Along with America, Britain then declared war on Japan and America declared war on Germany and the Axis powers.Controversy has since arisen around the Pearl Harbour attack regarding Roosevelt and how, through the use of Americaâs spy networks and the spies of allied nations, he might have known that Japan would attack Pearl Harbor three weeks before it happened, but let it happen so he would have a reason to go to war. If that is true, perhaps he sacrificed the few for the many. It is my understanding from what I've read about the Second World War that Roosevelt feared that once Britain was conquered, America would be next. He also believed that Germany would probably occupy Newfoundland first, from whence they would be in striking distance of the U.S. For this reason Roosevelt sent American troops to Newfoundland and had a number of military bases built here.America at warWhen the leaders met that August, both were obviously well aware of their nationsâ histories and the wars in which theyâd been involved. In many of these wars both Britain and the U.S. had been the aggressors - they fought to conquer and control lands already occupied by other people. These included wars with the American natives, fought by the British at first, then after the American Revolution, by the Americans.The United States began with a war, and was involved in a total of 66 wars between the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) and 1950. Most were so-called âIndian Wars,â but there were others, such as the overthrow of Queen Liliâuokalani of Hawaii by American citizens in 1893, or when the Americans attempted to overthrow Canada in the War of 1812. The Spanish-American war of 1898 saw the U.S. gain indefinite colonial authority over Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines, and was given temporary control of Cuba. They took California from the Mexicans, who had earlier gained independence from Spain. Then there was the fight with Mexico for Texas. The actual story of the Alamo is not nearly as romantic as some movies and stories would have us believe because, like the American Civil War, that war was, to a large degree, about slavery. The rich Texan landowners needed the approximately 2,000 slaves they had working on their plantations to compete with the rest of North America. But Mexicans had earlier abolished slavery in their country, which included Texas. So to keep their slaves, the Texans went to war.Britain at warThen there were the 112 wars fought by the British (many of which were wars of conquest), between 1700 and 1950. Britain controlled about 25 per cent of the world at one point. To do this they fought not only the American Indians, but also the Maori of New Zealand, the Sikhs of India, the French over possession of Canada, Haiti and other places. They also fought the Irish for control of Ireland for many years.Now with the Second World War raging, Britainâs role was reversed. It was now the victim of an oppressor, one who wanted to conquer and control it. There were many people around the world, including inside Britain, at the time who feared that Britain would be conquered. Thatâs when Prime Minister Churchill and President Roosevelt had communications, which led to the two meeting in Ship Harbour in August 1941.The document they drew up was the path to be followed once the present war was over. Among the objectives of the Charter were the following:⢠No territorial changes made against the wishes of the people⢠No territorial aggrandizement⢠Restoration of self-government to those deprived of it⢠Freedom of the seas⢠Abandonment of the use of force⢠Disarmament of aggressor nations⢠Global cooperation to secure better economic and social conditions for all⢠And last but not least, freedom from fear and wantFreedom from fear and want is why richer countries now send economic and military aid to poorer ones. Some people frown on foreign aid, saying that charity should begin at home. What Churchill and Roosevelt understood, and what we all have to understand, is that the world is our home. All of it. It was only by chance that we were born where we were rather than some God-forsaken rat hole so abundant in the world today. It is human nature to help the less fortunate, but also practical. These unfortunates are a big problem today, but could be a much bigger problem tomorrow. All they need is a ruthless leader to organize them, and the world will have another war on its hands.The Korean War, just a few years after WWII, showed that the Free World meant it when it said, âNo territorial changes made against the wishes of the people.â If you watch todayâs news youâll see that some groups attempt to make territorial changes by force, but these acts of aggression seldom go unchallenged by the Free World.Freedom of the seas is guaranteed by the Free World, to the extent that we do active battle with the Somali pirates and others.Self-government was restored to many countries, especially in Africa and Asia, including India. Canada, Australia and New Zealand were given independence as well.To deal with the use of force they strive to bring about disarmament in many countries, including aggressor nations. Indeed the Free World is living up to all of the promises made by the Charter.Yet there are many parts of the world that still donât have the luxury of peace. And there wonât be world peace until all nations adopt the principles of the Atlantic Charter. - By Ron Young, Downhome founding editor
