What did you think of Roosevelt's decision to go behind Churchill's back in his attempts to have a one-on-one meeting with Stalin.

Roosevelt goes behind Churchill's back in his attempts to have a one-on-one meeting with Stalin. What did you think of this decision? Did you view it as a betrayal of Churchill?

When do you believe this type of deception is OK?

I think his intentions were good. He wanted to let Stalin know he cared about Russia and wanted to work with him. I don't think it was a betrayal of Churchill, rather a means to an end.

Churchill and Stalin did not get along--Churchill in particular was not tactful or willing to bend a bit for Stalin. Not that FDR was going to do much bending but he was a diplomat as well as a politician. He had polish and style and was able to retain an affable demeanor in conversations. He needed to make a connection with Stalin on a personal level in order to be able to deal with these two volatile men once they all were together. Of the three his was the most gifted with diplomacy--that old-time noblesse oblige training, dontcha know?

Roosevelt had to do his best to acquire cooperation from Stalin. He did not owe Churchill an obligation of including him in everything. The effort to accommodate both leaders was necessary in view of the well known irascible Churchill and the iron-willed Stalin.

It made me feel uncomfortable. The Big Three conference seemed like a huge relief.

Russia was losing so many men. They really needed the diversionary tactics of Normandy that Churchill continued to refuse. Additionally, Roosevelt knew that we would eventually need Russia's help in defeating Japan.

I totally agree with katherinep. Roosevelt saw the tension between Churchill and Stalin and knew they were at a stand still. He was definitely the best man to bring both men together. I feel that if he had not done that, there would not have been a meeting. I did not see it as a betrayal, as much as a necessity.

I honestly was surprised that he went behind Churchill’s back, but as the story continued to unfold and touch on Churchill’s stubbornness, it made sense why FDR did this. I would have liked to know how much distress this caused FDR, especially because this occurred over a number of letters and over period many weeks.

I think Roosevelt was a great politician and leader. He knew he had to work with Stalin and was confident he could sway him without Churchill there. I think he felt Churchill would actually hinder a good conversation.

I think Roosevelt felt Churchill was the one hesitating and he felt a need to try to convince Stalin that Operation overlord would happen. They needed to keep him on their side, so he did what he had to do. So I think Roosevelt was just trying to keep Stalin working with the Allied powers. He could easily have walked away and negotiated a separate peace for his country.

I don't think Churchill gave Roosevelt much choice. Churchill wasn;t willing to really commit to aiding the Russians, and Roosevelt did not want to risk Stalin pulling out of the agreement.

I think Roosevelt didn't really have a choice. Churchill continued his hesitation to commit to the time and place.

Totally understood why he went behind Churchill's back and had absolutely no problem with him. Churchill was looking out for his country, but that was to the detriment of the Allied effort. It appears that Roosevelt knew that, although Churchill would be angry and put off by the sneaking around behind his back, that he and Churchill's bond was strong enough to withstand the deceit.