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

DOI:10.22394/2225-8272-2024-13-2-90-101

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 un
derstand 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 meth
ods, 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 sym
pathies 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 organ
izing 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.