Final answer:
Churchill eventually realized that the idealistic goals of the Atlantic Charter, which included principles like self-determination and economic cooperation, would be compromised by wartime geopolitical realities, such as the Percentages Agreement with Stalin.
Step-by-step explanation:
What Churchill Realized About the Joint Declaration
Winston Churchill's realization about the joint declaration, specifically the Atlantic Charter, evolved throughout the war. Initially, the Charter was envisioned as a blueprint for a postwar world that would prevent future conflict and ensure peace through principles such as self-determination and economic cooperation as articulated when Roosevelt and Churchill met in August 1941. However, the reality of wartime diplomacy and the need to maintain a united front against the Axis led to pragmatic decisions, such as the Percentages Agreement with Stalin.
Churchill understood that the idealistic visions of the Atlantic Charter would have to be balanced with geopolitical realities. The most evident realization of this balance came when Churchill agreed to divide Eastern Europe into spheres of influence with Stalin, reflecting a shift from the idealism of the Atlantic Charter to a more realpolitik approach. This was a significant departure from the Charter's principles, especially the notion of self-determination for all nations.
When later reflecting on the Percentages Agreement, Churchill expressed reservations about the cynical nature of such deals, suggesting he understood the apparent contradiction between the agreements made with Stalin and the ideals professed in the Atlantic Charter. This acknowledgment indicates a complex interplay between Churchill's aspirations for a just postwar order and the political maneuverings required during wartime.