The conferences of Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt

The relationship between Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt led to the fall of Axis powers in World War II.

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Prime Minister Winston Churchill began writing President Franklin Roosevelt when he was the Lord of Admiralty. In these letters Churchill urged Roosevelt to help the Allies in the war in Europe. These letters inspired Roosevelt and it was the beginning of a diplomatic relationship that help defeat Hitler and the Axis powers.

Roosevelt proposed aid to Europe in what is known as the Lend-Lease Act. In this program America would supply financial and military aid to Great Britain and the Soviet Union. In return the U.S. would have a 99-year lease in places that could be deemed as future threat. Congress approved this Act in March 1941. With Roosevelt's generosity and Churchill's determination to defeat Hitler the course of the War changed. After the Lend-Lease was in force Churchill and Roosevelt met at different time to discuss the outcome of the war. They visions of world peace were also discussed at these conferences. Below are the conferences of these two men during World War II.

(Along with Stalin the two became known as "The Big Three." With Chang Kai-shek they were known as "The Big Four.")

Argentina Conference-August 1941

This was the first meeting with the two as Heads of State. At his meeting what is known as the Atlantic Charter was established. Both leaders agreed to support free government though out the world. And tyranny was not the answer in solving international disputes.

Casablanca Conference-January 1943

Churchill had visited Washington D.C. in 1942 to discuss plan for an organized United Nations. But the next official conference was in 1943 in Casablanca. At his meeting the term unconditional surrender came about. Both leaders agreed that they should receive nothing less than an unconditional surrender from the Axis. By this time Germany had already invaded France. Two disposed French Generals, Charles de Gaulle and Henri Giraud, attended this meeting. The two Generals had a great dislike for each other, but the two Heads of States were able to bring the two together for sake of France. The two posed together in a picture shaking hands.

Also at the Casablanca Conference Stalin was brought into the picture. The two discussed possible aid to the Soviet Union. It was also determined that driving the Axis powers out of North Africa would be no problem.

First Quebec Conference-August 1943

At this conference the future of Italy and France was discussed. The Normandy invasion is planned at this time.

Cairo Conference

Chang Kai-shek felt he was being left out of the picture. So the two leaders met with the Chinese General to discuss the problems of Axis powers in the Far East. The beginning of this conference had a shaky start. But Chang Kai-shek left satisfied because he had been promised aid in fighting against Imperial Japan.

Teheran Conference-November and December 1943

Joseph Stalin finally agreed to meet the Churchill and Roosevelt in Tehran. Stalin was promised a cross channel invasion and Russian agreed to aid in the fight against Japan. The future of Poland's boundaries was debated at this time.

The Second Quebec Conference August 1944

German force are on the decline by the time this meeting is held. Plans for dividing Germany into four parts in being prepared The future of a free French Government is in the works. And more emphasis is put on defeating Japan.

Yalta Conference-February 1945

The four power occupation of Germany is finalized at Yalta. Germany is to be divided between Great Britain, United States, Soviet Union, and France. A Provisional Government of Poland is agreed upon.

This conference had some issues that were not resolved. Churchill did not trust Stalin, but Roosevelt did. Many believe that this conference was the breaking ground of the Cold War.

World War II comes to an official end in May of 1945, But Roosevelt had died the month before. Vice President Harry Truman became President and carried on the policies of Churchill and Roosevelt. He attended the Potsdam Conference along with Stalin and Churchill. The unconditional surrender of the Axis Powers had been made a reality at Potsdam. But while Churchill was at this conference his first term as Prime Minister came to an end. The Conservative lost their majority in the House of Common. The Churchill and Roosevelt era had come to and end but their policies for peace in the free world continued.

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