article_snippet: Winston Churchill planned to tempt America into joining World War Two by offering America a priceless copy of Magna Carta.
article_snippet: The British Cabinet believed the gesture would sway US public opinion in favour of joining the fighting in Europe, and even set a date for the handover before the deal fell through.
article_snippet: Letters written in 1941 reveal Winston Churchill planned to gift the US a copy of Magna Carta to persuade Americans to join World War Two, noting that Americans desire 'tangible evidence of Americans European background' The Magna Carta, which was issued by King John in 1215 establishing the rule of law and handing rights to King John subjects, is also seen as a precursor to the American Constitution.
article_snippet: the wartime government had already signed a deal sending vast amounts of aid money over to their struggling allies in Europe, but were still reticent about engaging in the fighting themselves.
article_snippet: In an attempt to win them over, the British Cabinet, supported by Churchill, planned to gift them the copy of the Magna Carta, which belonged to Lincoln Cathedral.
article_snippet: Officials even scheduled June 15 of that year as the day for the document to be handed over, but the deal fell through for unspecified reasons.
article_snippet: Magna Carta: Law, Liberty, Legacy is on display at the British Library from Friday until September 1.