Hewlett Johnson's role in relationship between the USSR and great BRITAIN in the 1930s-1950s

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to study the activities of public figure Hewlett Johnson in the context of foreign policy cooperation between the USSR and Great Britain. It is important to understand how the Anglican priest contributed to the development of relations between Moscow and London. During the 1930s and 1940s, relations between the USSR and Great Britain were difficult. However, the Dean of Canterbury, an ardent admirer of the Soviet Union, for his part, took all possible steps to improve relations between the two countries. H. Johnson during the Second World War led the work on the Cathedral of the USSR. During the research, a source-based analysis of the available documents related to Dr. Johnson's activities was carried out. Such sources include the periodical press: the newspaper Pravda, the Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate, etc. Articles and memoirs, TASS reports were involved in the preparation of the material. For example, the memoirs of I. M. Maisky, ambassador to Great Britain in the 30s – early 40s of the twentieth century. Combined, general scientific and special historical methods, as well as source analysis, made it possible to achieve the goals set during the preparation of the article. The author traced the life path of Dr. Johnson and structured the periods of formation of his sympathies for socialism. In addition, the author identified positive trends in the development of relations between the USSR and Great Britain during the period under study. The role of Dr. Johnson in organizing the collection of aid in Great Britain during the Great Patriotic War for the USSR is presented and factually proven. The article managed to trace Dr. Johnson's participation in the work of peace keeping organizations, whose activities intensified during the beginning of the Cold War. The author notes that that during the Second World War, Hewlett Johnson initiated a fundraiser to help the USSR. He advocated the creation of the national Anglo-Soviet Medical Aid Fund. His support for the USSR was well-deserved by the leadership of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor in 1945. Moreover, in 1951, Dr. Johnson won the Stalin Peace Prize for his active work in the peacekeeping movement. The list of such awards confirms the dialogue between the Soviet government and the Anglican priest in the development of international relations. As a result, the author emphasized that to focus on the study of the issues of the peacekeeping movement is of importance. The author made the basis for studying the processes of organizing aid collection for the USSR in Great Britain during the Second World War.