Atlantic Charter

The Atlantic Charter was negotiated at the Atlantic Conference by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, aboard a warship anchored in a secure anchorage at Argentia, Newfoundland (located on Placentia Bay) and was issued as a joint declaration on August 14, 1941. Roosevelt had travelled to Argentia aboard the heavy cruiser USS Augusta (CA-31) while Churchill made the journey across the Atlantic aboard the battleship HMS Prince of Wales.

Related Topics:
British Prime Minister - Winston Churchill - U.S. President - Franklin D. Roosevelt - Argentia - Newfoundland - Placentia Bay - August 14 - 1941 - USS ''Augusta'' (CA-31) - HMS ''Prince of Wales''

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The Atlantic Charter established a vision for a post-World War II world, despite the fact the United States had yet to enter the War. The participants hoped in vain that the Soviet Union, since June invaded by her previous ally Nazi Germany, would adhere as well.

Related Topics:
World War II - Soviet Union - Nazi Germany

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In brief, the eight points were:

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• no territorial gains sought by the United States or the United Kingdom;
• territorial adjustments must conform to the people involved;
• the right to self-determination of peoples;
• trade barriers lowered;
• postwar disarmament;
• freedom from want and fear;
• freedom of the seas;
• an association of nations.

At the subsequent Inter-Allied Meeting in London on September 24, 1941, the governments of Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Soviet Union, and Yugoslavia, and representatives of General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, unanimously adopted adherence to the common principles of policy set forth in the Atlantic Charter.

Related Topics:
Allied - London - September 24 - 1941 - Belgium - Czechoslovakia - Greece - Luxembourg - Netherlands - Norway - Poland - Soviet Union - Yugoslavia - Charles de Gaulle - Free French

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The Axis Powers interpreted these diplomatic agreements as a potential alliance against them. Adolf Hitler saw it as evidence the UK and USA as colluding in an international Jewish conspiracy and agreed to the implementation of the Final Solution before the conclusion of the war in retaliation. In the Japanese Empire, the Atlantic Charter rallied support for the militarists in the government who pushed for a more aggressive approach to the UK and US.

Related Topics:
Axis Powers - Adolf Hitler - Final Solution - Japanese Empire

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On the other hand, this agreement proved to be one of the first steps to the formation of the United Nations.

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Although the issued statements indicate that Churchill and FDR signed the document, no signed copies are known to exist.

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Atlantic Charter: See also ►