Changes

==King==

==King==

On the abdication of his brother, [[Edward VIII]], in December 1936, he became King George VI; he was crowned on May 12, 1937. In May and June 1939 the king and queen travelled across Canada to Vancouver and visited the United States; they were warmly received. President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] manipulated the visit to symbolize Anglo-American unity without stirring up the isolationists, to strengthen ties with Canada, to toughen British foreign policy, and to help make the British monarchy seem more human and democratic in American eyes.<ref> David Reynolds, "FDR's Foreign Policy and the British Royal Visit to the U.S.A., 1939." ''Historian'' 1983 45(4): 461-472. Issn: 0018-2370; Benjamin D. Rhodes, "The British Royal Visit of 1939 and the 'Psychological Approach' to the United States." ''Diplomatic History'' 1978 2(2): 197-211. Issn: 0145-2096</ref>  

On the abdication of his brother [[Edward VIII]] in December 1936, the Duke of York became King George VI. He was crowned on May 12, 1937. In May and June 1939 the king and queen traveled across Canada to Vancouver and visited the United States. They were warmly received. President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] manipulated the visit to symbolize Anglo-American unity without stirring up the isolationists, to strengthen ties with Canada, to toughen British foreign policy, and to help make the British monarchy seem more human and democratic in American eyes.<ref> David Reynolds, "FDR's Foreign Policy and the British Royal Visit to the U.S.A., 1939." ''Historian'' 1983 45(4): 461-472. Issn: 0018-2370; Benjamin D. Rhodes, "The British Royal Visit of 1939 and the 'Psychological Approach' to the United States." ''Diplomatic History'' 1978 2(2): 197-211. Issn: 0145-2096</ref>  

===Second World War===

===Second World War===

After the failure of the Chamberlain government in 1940, the king preferred Lord Halifax as Prime Minister, rather than [[Winston Churchill]], but appointed Churchill because he had more support. The two worked smoothly together throughout the war. Both the king and queen played major symbolic roles in the war; they were indefatigable in visiting troops, munition factories, dockyards, and hospitals all over the country. All social classes appreciated how the royals shared the hopes, fears and hardships of the people. In December 1939 the king visited the British army in France, and in June 1943 he flew to see the victorious Allied forces in North Africa, visiting Algiers, Tripoli, and Malta. In 1944 he met the soldiers on Normandy beaches ten days after the Allied landing; in July he visited the battlefields in southern Italy and, in October, the newly conquered Belgium and the Netherlands. His identification with the people was a major factor in public confidence and satisfaction with the monarchy.

After the failure of the [[Neville Chamberlain|Chamberlain]] government in 1940, the king preferred Lord Halifax as prime minister over [[Winston Churchill]] but appointed Churchill because he had more support. The two worked smoothly together throughout the war. Both the king and queen played major symbolic roles in the war. They were indefatigable in visiting troops, munition factories, dockyards, and hospitals all over the country. All social classes appreciated how the royals shared the hopes, fears and hardships of the people. In December 1939 the king visited the British army in France, and in June 1943 he flew to see the victorious Allied forces in North Africa, visiting Algiers, Tripoli, and Malta. In 1944 he met the soldiers on Normandy beaches ten days after the Allied landing. In July he visited the battlefields in southern Italy and, in October, the newly conquered Belgium and the Netherlands. His identification with the people was a major factor in public confidence and satisfaction with the monarchy.

On February 1, 1947, the king, queen, and the princesses made a state visit to South Africa. Other trips were postponed indefinitely because of a circulatory ailment suffered by the king. In the fall of 1951 he underwent a serious operation for the resection of one lung. From this he recovered sufficiently to resume most of his duties, but on February 6, 1952, he died in his sleep and was succeeded by his daughter, who became Queen [[Elizabeth II]].

On February 1, 1947, the king, queen, and the princesses made a state visit to South Africa. Other trips were postponed indefinitely because of a circulatory ailment suffered by the king. In the fall of 1951 he underwent a serious operation for the resection of one lung. From this he recovered sufficiently to resume most of his duties, but on February 6, 1952, he died in his sleep and was succeeded by his daughter, who became Queen [[Elizabeth II]].