Promoting the United Nations

In early July 1942, FDR received a memorandum written by the Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, recommending that the United States establish a world-wide system of radio communication for the express purpose of promoting “America’s national interests.” FDR’s response to this suggestion is very illuminating. Instead of supporting a global communications network that would be owned and controlled by the United States, FDR argues that it would be better to establish a global radio communication system “which would be owned or controlled ... by a worldwide corporation owned by all governments ... for the equal benefit of all nations.” 

This message says a good deal about FDR’s intention to consolidate world opinion around a universal set of values and overcome not only the American policy of isolationism, but also same myopic tendencies in other countries. The correspondence also provides an early example of President Roosevelt’s desire to create a worldwide organization, and the contrary opinion expressed by other members of his government for an orgnization focused on national interests.