1955 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 7th Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference |
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| Host country |  United Kingdom |
| Dates | 31 January–9 February 1955 |
| Cities | London |
| Participants | 9 |
| Heads of Government | 8 |
| Chair | Sir Winston Churchill (Prime Minister) |
| Follows | 1953 |
| Precedes | 1956 |
| Key points | |
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First Taiwan Strait Crisis, SEATO, international and regional security, trade and development, Pound sterling area
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The 1955 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference was an important meeting. It brought together the leaders of countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. This special gathering happened in London, United Kingdom, in January 1955. Sir Winston Churchill, who was the Prime Minister of the UK, hosted the event.
Contents
What Was Discussed at the Meeting?
A feeling of international tension was present at the conference. The leaders talked about big world events. One major topic was the First Taiwan Strait Crisis. This was a conflict happening near Taiwan. They also discussed changes in leadership in the Soviet Union and France.
Key Topics for Discussion
The leaders talked about using atomic energy for peaceful things. They also discussed how to reduce weapons, which is called disarmament. Trade and economic growth were important too. They focused on countries that used the British pound.
Keeping Countries Safe
Keeping countries safe was a big part of the talks. They discussed defence in Southeast Asia. The creation of SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) was a key point. This group aimed to protect the region. They also talked about an ongoing conflict in Malaya.
Pakistan's New Status
Pakistan told the other leaders it planned to become a republic. A republic is a country where the head of state is not a king or queen. The meeting agreed that Pakistan could still be a part of the Commonwealth.
Who Attended the Conference?
The following leaders attended the 1955 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference:
| Nation | Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom |
Sir Winston Churchill | Prime Minister (Chairman) |
 Australia |
Robert Menzies | Prime Minister |
 Canada |
Louis St. Laurent | Prime Minister |
 Ceylon |
Sir John Kotelawala | Prime Minister |
 India |
Jawaharlal Nehru | Prime Minister |
 New Zealand |
Sidney Holland | Prime Minister |
 Pakistan |
Mohammad Ali Bogra | Prime Minister |
 Southern Rhodesia |
Sir Godfrey Huggins | Prime Minister |
 South Africa |
Charles Robberts Swart | Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister |
