The Secrets of Statecraft Tim Bouverie and the Diplomacy of World War II | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Jun 18, 2025
Tim Bouverie, a British historian and author of 'Allies at War', delves into the intricate diplomatic challenges faced by Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin during World War II. He highlights the humor and tension in the diaries of lesser-known diplomats. The discussion also reveals how Britain skillfully maintained Franco's neutrality in Spain and navigated complex dynamics with Vichy France. Bouverie explores the evolving partnership between Churchill and Roosevelt, including their differing views on imperialism, and examines counterfactuals that question the determinism in historical events.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Improbable Grand Alliance
- The grand alliance between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin was both unlikely and uneasy due to divergent politics and circumstances.
- Stalin was initially Hitler's ally, and the U.S. was isolationist, making their cooperation improbable.
Lord Halifax's Gorilla Joke
- Lord Halifax humorously described the Soviet Union as a 'gorilla' helping someone out of a hole, warning of potential betrayal.
- This rare joke illustrated diplomatic tensions when justifying alliance with the Soviet dictator.
Bribing Spain for Neutrality
- Britain kept Franco's Spain neutral by bribing generals covertly, including hiding gold sovereigns in golf bags.
- They supplied Spain with essentials to maintain Franco's regime and avoid Axis domination of the Mediterranean.
