Did President Roosevelt and his administration intend that Great Britain would emerge from World War 2 an economically ruined country with little influence on the world stage?

Answer 1

The United States is (and was) against Empire Building (establishing colonies). The US assisted the allies (Britain, Soviets, etc.) but only because they were the "lesser of two evils"; meaning we'd help the British, Soviets, etc. fight off the Axis Powers, but would "hold our hand" if & when we'd be asked to help them retain any colonies (after the war). The US purpose in WWII was to DEFEAT the Axis Powers. The US did "Not" start the War in Europe & Europe did NOT start a war with the US; this was strictly a European affair. Britain, a European Nation was fighting other European Nation(s). Britain's "economic ruin" was due to their European War. The US "Bailed" Britain (amongst others) out; SAVED them from total ruin. The US became the "Arsenal of Democracy" for the whole world, the allies (Britain, Russia, China, etc.) Flew US Fighter Planes (Corsairs, Wildcats, P-39 Aerocobras, etc.), they sailed in the US Destroyers (over 50 of them, "lend lease act"), manned US Tanks (Stuart Light tanks in North Africa), and MANY of Britain's rifles used by their infantrymen were MADE IN THE USA. Britain, like Japan, is an island country. Both faced starvation by submarines; the US starved out Japan, Germany tried to starve out Britain. US Escort Aircraft Carriers (CVE's-122 built) and US Destroyer Escorts (DE's-over 500 built) won the war against Germany's submarine fleet! CVE's are the smallest Aircraft Carriers & DE's are the smallest Destroyers. The larger Fleet Carriers (CV's) & Destroyers (DD's) were used used for fighting Japanese Fleets in the Pacific. I seem to have (accidently!) offended somebody! The question was not meant to come across as "anti-American" (there is FAR too much of that about at the moment!!!) Apologies if the wording made it appear that way. It was simply a curiosity of mine as I used to study history at University and came across a lot of literature than seemed to point in that direction and just wondered what others views were that is all. (on behalf of my grandfather and his generation who fought in the British armed forces in WWII, however, I would like to offer the point that Britain was not "saved by" but rather "allied with" the United States as the former term implies that nothing the British did was of any consequence and the only real fighting in the air, and on land and sea was conducted by the U.S. alone. I feel this does a grave dis-service to British efforts and servicemen. Again this is not anti-american sentiment as there can be no doubting the almighty lengths and efforts made by the U.S. to keep Britain and the Soviets in the fight through economic and material aid.)