Historical reenactment of British soldiers preparing for the Revolutionary War's Battle of Lexington and Concord. Hosted by Huntington Beach Historical Society, February 2020.Relations between the two countries were terrible after the victory of the Americans and their allies in the Revolutionary War against Britain in 1783. Today, however, the United States of America and the United Kingdom enjoy a "special relationship".What happened to the trans-Atlantic cousins after all the tea that was thrown in the water? Experts agree that it happened quickly even though it was not until later that the relationship gained the geopolitical significance it has today.David Dunn, a professor of international political at the University of Birmingham in England, said that America started as a power aligned to France. This is not surprising considering that France fought alongside American revolutionaries to expel the British from their 13 colonies. France's participation to the Revolutionary War was a major reason why it went bankrupt and later had a revolution to remove its queen and king.The French Revolution turned unexpectedly, and relations between France and America began to deteriorate. Dunn stated that the terror that followed the French Revolution, and the executions so many aristocrats, was seen by Americans as debauched.Related: How many French Revolutions have there been?This view led the U.S. to adopt a neutral position in the centuries-old French-English rivalry. It opened up a possibility for America to make peace with the British. Many Americans saw this opportunity as a benefit, since they had much in common with the British.Dunn stated that the U.S. had an English legal system as its foundation. The English language is another major factor. After independence, large numbers of immigrants from the U.K. to America continued. Trade also played a role. This long-standing trend saw rich American heiresses marry poor, but not-noble-born Brits. Winston Churchill is the result of such a marriage.These similarities and cultural exchanges made the U.S. and U.K. natural friends.The War of 1812 saw another test for this relationship, as British forces captured Washington D.C. and set fire to large parts of it. Tim Oliver, senior lecturer at Loughborough University London's Institute for Diplomacy and International Governance, stated that the White House fire in 1814 was the low point in the relationship. "Relationships improved over the 19th century in part due to the increased business opportunities offered by the USA."During the next century, tensions remained beneath the surface of a otherwise friendly agreement. The British system of Imperial Preference, which allowed trade within its empire to be largely free of tariffs, was the main point of contention. The United States resented the need to pay levies for importing and exporting to lucrative markets in the British Empire like India.Dunn stated that the Americans did not like this and wanted to destroy the empire. They called it "undemocratic" and "unrepublican", which you can easily argue was it. It was also about breaking down what they considered the British Empire's monopoly. This was a characteristic of the 19th century as well as the 20th.Despite all these pressures diplomatic relations remained cordial and the partnership became a true collaborative alliance during World War II. One case was that Winston Churchill, Prime Minister, overstayed his welcome at White House on Christmas 1941 to the dismay of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. However, it became a significant moment in transatlantic relations. Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt often stayed up late to plan their war strategy, while sipping booze and smoking cigarettes.Related: Can smokers' lungs heal once they quit smoking?American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt (left), and Winston Churchill, British prime minister, meet on board HMS Prince of Wales, Placentia Bay (Newfoundland), August 1941. Image credit: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesDunn stated that there are "a few funny stories that result from that stay." "Churchill walked out of the bath naked and FDR was surprised to see him. Churchill stated, "The prime minister of Britain has nothing to hide from President of the United States." It was an extraordinary close relationship."While the chumminess was genuine, it was also a result of necessity. Since the surrender of the French, the U.K. and its empire have been fighting a war in the global arena alone for more than a year before the attack at Pearl Harbor. British needed help. The U.S. was, however, grateful to have found a strategically placed ally that was war-hardened and willing to host its troops in the fight against Germany. Oliver stated that the relationship was also more than the level of president or prime minister and helped to close the alliance.Oliver explained to Live Science that "At the top you had a combined strategy thinking and planning [U.S. General Dwight] Eisenhower, and [U.K. Feld Marshal] Alan Brooke. They set the tone and direction underneath the close political relationship between Churchill and Roosevelt." "Further down you had the common sacrifices and operations in almost every major theatre of war.Churchill was removed from office after the war and decided to travel to the U.S. for a speaking tour. This is when Churchill first coined the term "special relation" and it has remained. The Cold War saw intelligence sharing and military cooperation between the two countries. Since then, the U.K. has seen many of its interests aligned with the U.S.Original publication on Live Science
