Churchill, Winston. Historic Autograph statement signed...

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Churchill, Winston. Historic Autograph statement signed Churchill, Winston. Historic Autograph statement signed, 1 page, penned in ink on a leaf (approx. 8 x 2 in.; 203 x 51 mm.) from the "War Office," 16 February 1920. Churchill pens this statement with the threat of Bolshevism looming following the Russian Revolution in 1919. Fine. Churchill on world peace and the roles to be played by Great Britain and the U. S following the Russian Revolution. Churchill pens the following in full: "The consciousness of a common purpose in great matters between Britain and the United States is the only sure guarantee of the future peace of the world. Winston S. Churchill War Office. 16. 2 20." To Churchill the entry of the U.S. into World War I was a decisive factor in a dearly bought victory. At the Versailles Conference at war's end, the Allies fell to bickering and the result of this disunity was an inadequate peace that would prove disastrous to future world stability. In response to the Russian Revolution in 1919, the Allies sent men to Russia to aid the anti-communist forces, however, their efforts were piecemeal and ineffective. It was then when Churchill became head of the War Office and, in that capacity, the threat of Bolshevism became one of his prime concerns. He foresaw its potential for trouble and strongly urged his government and the Allies to pursue a policy of ridding Russia of Bolshevik control. However, in January 1920, following Red victories, the Allies wavered. Prime Minister Lloyd George and French Premier Clemenceau refused to extend their missions and withdrew their troops; the Americans did likewise, as there was little popular support for mounting a war effort in Russia. Churchill was concerned by the inability of the Allies to work together to accomplish important goals and warned that very great evils would befall the world as a consequence of the Allies lack of coordination and purpose. This quotation, newly discovered, is of such significance that it appeared in the Churchill Centre's magazine, "Finest Hour." The policy Churchill articulates here guided his actions before and during World War II and formed the basis for the Atlantic Alliance. It also greatly impacted the Cold War, as Churchill was one of the earliest advocates of unites opposition to Communist expansion.