Arcadia Conference
Background
The Arcadia Conference was a high-level meeting during World War II between the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States. It was held in Washington, D.C., from December 22, 1941, to January 14, 1942. The conference was the first meeting between British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt following the American entry into the war.
Objectives
The main objectives of the Arcadia Conference were to establish a unified strategy against the Axis Powers, and to agree on the principles of the United Nations. The conference also aimed to coordinate the military efforts of the U.S. and the U.K., and to strengthen the alliance between the two nations.
Decisions
During the conference, several important decisions were made. The most significant of these was the adoption of the "Europe first" strategy. This meant that the majority of the Allied resources would be directed towards the defeat of Nazi Germany, before turning attention to Japan. This decision was based on the belief that Germany posed a greater threat to the Allies.
The conference also led to the creation of the Combined Chiefs of Staff, a military body composed of the British and American Chiefs of Staff. This body was responsible for directing the Allied war effort.
Furthermore, the conference resulted in the drafting of the Declaration by United Nations, which was later signed by 26 nations. This declaration outlined the common goals of the Allies and served as the basis for the creation of the United Nations.
Impact
The Arcadia Conference had a profound impact on the course of World War II. The decisions made during the conference shaped the strategy of the Allies and influenced the outcome of the war. The conference also laid the groundwork for the post-war international order, with the drafting of the Declaration by United Nations.
Legacy
The Arcadia Conference is remembered as a pivotal moment in World War II. It marked the beginning of a close cooperation between the U.S. and the U.K., which played a crucial role in the defeat of the Axis Powers. The conference also set the stage for the creation of the United Nations, a key institution in the post-war world.