FDR, lend-lease and China : a case study of presidential and bureaucratic statecraft in World War II

Abstract

This thesis examines Franklin D. Roosevelt's conduct of foreign relations with China during World War II. It explores FDR's leadership style, specifically his preference for centralising power into his hands, his sensitivity to public opinion and his desire to avoid confrontations with other leaders. These leadership traits can be seen clearly in wartime Sino-US relations. By analysing FDR's policies, his use of personal representatives, his summit diplomacy, and the interactions between foreign policymaking institutions, the impact of these traits on his dealings with China becomes much clearer. Similarities between aspects of Franco-US relations and Sino-US relations also shed light on the role these traits played in Roosevelt's wartime diplomacy with China. This thesis argues that Roosevelt's leadership style and his methods of conducting foreign relations caused confusion for those at the sub-cabinet level charged with implementing US China policy. The diplomats and military staff in China lacked clearly articulated objectives so their success or failure is difficult to assess. What is clear is that the outcomes of wartime Sino-US relations did not serve US interests and FDR's role in that should be acknowledged. The US faced many more problems in the post-war world, particularly in Sino-US relations, than it needed to because of FDR's methods of conducting diplomacy. Show more