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===Mission to Moscow===

===Mission to Moscow===

In July, 1941, Moscow learned of President Roosevelt's decision to send Hopkins to the Kremlin in order to negotiate [[Lend-Lease]].  For a number of days, no pertinent information from the Soviet Embassy in Washington was available. Consequently, the Kremlin readied for a stiff and prolonged bargaining session.

In July, 1941, Moscow learned of President Roosevelt's decision to send Hopkins to the Kremlin in order to negotiate [[Lend-Lease]].  For a number of days, no pertinent information from the Soviet Embassy in Washington was available to Moscow. The Kremlin readied for a stiff and prolonged bargaining session.

[[Vyacheslav M. Molotov]] was appointed chairman of a committee which was to determine in advance how far the U.S.S.R. might have to go in yielding to American demands. This included the right of Americans to inspection of lend-lease distribution on Russian soil, the admission of American military advisers into Soviet lines. The Soviet Union was willing to give concessions for mining manganese ore as well as special privileges in the Baku and Volga oil fields. The Soviet Union was even prepared to give a solemn pledge to maintain [[freedom of speech]] and [[freedom of religion]].

[[Vyacheslav M. Molotov]] was appointed to head a committee to determine how far the USSR might have to yield to American demands. This included the right of Americans to inspect distribution of lend-lease provisions (food, weapons, and other material)<ref>[http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/pearl/www.geocities.com/Pentagon/6315/lend.html Lend Lease to Russia], From Major Jordan' Diaries, (NY: Harcourt, Brace, 1952).</ref> on Soviet soil and admission of American military observers behind Soviet lines. The committee determined the Soviet Union was willing to grant mining concessions for manganese ore other special privileges in the [[Baku]] and [[Volga]] oil fields. The Soviet Union was even prepared to make a solemn pledge for [[human rights]], [[free speech]], and [[freedom of religion]].

Shortly before Hopkins arrival Molotov informed [[Mikoyan]], Vassilensky, Trainin, and Bogolepov that "A man at the very highest level of the Roosevelt administration," notified the Soviet espionage officers "Mr. Hopkins will demand no concessions whatever. The sole wish of Mr. Hopkins," Molotov assured the tovarisches, "is to ask nothing and give everything. What he wants is to keep us in the fighting—and that is all. Mr. Hopkins is completely on our side and may be trusted absolutely."  Hopkins said of Stalin, "It is ridiculous to think of Stalin as a Communist. He is a Russian nationalist."

Shortly before Hopkins arrival Molotov informed [[Mikoyan]], Vassilensky, Trainin, and Bogolepov that Soviet espionage officers had been notified "Hopkins will demand no concessions whatever. The sole wish of Mr. Hopkins is to ask nothing and give everything.... Mr. Hopkins is completely on our side."  Hopkins even remarked publicly of Stalin, "It is ridiculous to think of Stalin as a Communist."

Despite the protests of military officials, Hopkins demanded that the American government give the [[Soviet Union]] a large amount of uranium as part of the Lend Lease program. On a diplomatic trip to the Soviet Union in 1945, he shunned the American position of free elections for [[Poland]] and told [[Stalin]] that America’s goal was actually to have a post-war Poland that the Soviet Union was comfortable with.  Earlier, when a Soviet government official defected, Hopkins unsuccessfully urged Roosevelt to return the man to the [[USSR]] even though he knew that it would mean the man’s certain death.

Despite the protests of military officials, Hopkins demanded that the American government give the [[Soviet Union]] a large amount of [[uranium]] as part of the Lend Lease program. On a diplomatic trip to the Soviet Union in 1945, he shunned the American position of free elections for [[Poland]] and told [[Stalin]] that America’s goal was actually to have a post-war Poland that the Soviet Union was comfortable with.  Earlier, when a Soviet government official defected, Hopkins unsuccessfully urged Roosevelt to return the man to the [[USSR]] even though he knew that it would mean the man’s certain death.

Roosevelt biographer John T. Flynn remarked of Hopkins,

Roosevelt biographer John T. Flynn remarked of Hopkins,