Was the only things the Americans charged in WW1 & 2 the interest on the money we borrowed?

Question

Just a thought...

Answer 1

I do not know the answer to your question, but I do know that the US provided a lot of aid to Europe after WWII under the Marshal Plan. You can get more information about which countries received what here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshal_plan

Given that America was providing aid to Europe, I find it very difficult to believe that it was collecting interest on money it spent in the war.

Answer 2

No there were Pacific and Indian Ocean bases like Diego Garcia which we were obliged to give up. It is correct we have only just paid off the cash debts, the last payment was $83 million in December 2006. It was an interest bearing loan although the rate was rescheduled many times and vairous assets were surrendered to settle parts of it. The biggest recipient of Lend-Lease was the USSR and I doubt they ever paid anything back.

The debt has to be balanced against the situation Britain faced - against an enemy which at the time included the whole of Europe ; France, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands were all defeated. People forget the USSR was in alliance with the Nazis until 1941 plus Italy and Turkey. And Britain and the dominions stood against them all.

Without the 50 destroyers supplied under Lend-Lease it would have been impossible for Britain to maintan its supply network. Remember that it was Germany that declared war on the USA (after Pearl Harbour) not the other way around. When you are in a desperate situation you expect the interest rate to be high. It was a crisis loan and we used it to buy freedom.

Answer 3

Nor sure I understand the question here, but I have to say I was staggered to learn this country (UK) has only just (well-within the last year) paid off the war loans! As the USA is reputably the richest country in the world, I wonder what the interest rate was? Did it fluctuate over the 60 odd years?

Answer 4

the usa wished to end the power of the british empire so that it could take its place in the world hierarchy. To this end it gave aid during the war on such terms that it knew GB " in extremis " could not refuse . GB then fought the war and used up the USA war loans , thus leaving the way open for the USA to build its own empire and meanwhile almost bankrupt GB. With friends like that ...............?

Answer 5

Be reasonable. They also made us transfer our US investments to them at knock down prices and several military bases for nothing. Are these not quasi-charges?

Hitler regarded the British Empire as one of the world's great institutions whereas the cripple Roosevelt was determined to destroy it. Chamberlain and Churchill has a 50/50 chance of picking the right side and both got it wrong.

Answer 6

No , under the lend lease arrangements they also took part of the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean so that they are now part British and part American

Answer 7

Just a sad thought from an even sadder person

Answer 8

My father gave his life in World War II. Hell with your interest!