Winston Churchill planned to tempt America into joining World War Two by offering the country a priceless copy of the Magna Carta . 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 . Never-before-seen letters reveal the wartime government discussed how Americans are desperate for 'tangible evidence of their European background ' , meaning the gift would be of particular value . Letters written in 1941 reveal Churchill planned to gift the US a copy of the Magna Carta to persuade them to join World War Two , noting that Americans desire 'tangible evidence of their European background ' The Magna Carta , which was issued by King John in 1215 establishing the rule of law and handing rights to his subjects , is also seen as a precursor to the American Constitution . In 1941 , when the letters were written , a copy of the document was stranded in America following the outbreak of the war while it was on display at the New York World 's Fair in 1939 . The US 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 . According to the letters , which go on display at the British Library from this Friday , the Americans saw the British as 'cold-blooded ' , 'calculating ' people who failed 'to say it with flowers ' The historic document ( pictured ) , which signed over righta King John 's people , is viewed as a precursor to the American constitution , and so was viewed as a generous gift . 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 . The letters , reported in The Independent , say : ' A friendly act , graciously performed , evokes a tremendous response ; when an American has his emotions stirred , his generosity is unbounded . 'He will give the shirt off his back for friendship . ' 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 . Magna Carta : Law , Liberty , Legacy is on display at the British Library from Friday until September 1 . Adult tickets cost £12 and can be purchased here .
Letters reveal Americans saw British as 'cold blooded ' and 'calculating ' It was hoped that gifting them copy of Magna Carta would win them over . Copy stranded in New York after war broke out while it was on display .