Declaration of St James's Palace Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids First Inter-Allied Conference Declaration of St James's Palace
Host country	United Kingdom
Date	12 June 1941
Venue(s)	St James's Palace
Cities	London
Participants	United Kingdom Canada Australia New Zealand South Africa Belgian government in exile Czechoslovak provisional government-in-exile Greek government-in-exile Luxembourg government-in-exile Dutch government-in-exile Norwegian government-in-exile Polish government-in-exile Yugoslav government-in-exile Free French National Committee
Precedes	Atlantic Conference
Key points
No separate peace with the Axis powers, commitment to a peace based on "willing co-operation of free peoples"

The Declaration of St James's Palace was a very important meeting during World War II. It was the first time that many Allied countries officially agreed on their goals for the war and for a future peace. This meeting happened at St James's Palace in London on June 12, 1941.

Leaders from the United Kingdom, along with countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, were there. Also present were representatives from eight governments that had been forced to leave their homes because of the war. These included Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Yugoslavia. The Free French movement also took part.

At this meeting, everyone agreed to keep fighting against the Axis Powers (which were Germany and Italy). They also set out ideas for what a peaceful world should look like after the war.

Why This Meeting Happened

After the Battle of France, many European countries were taken over by Germany. Their governments had to leave their homes. They moved to London to continue fighting against the Axis powers.

For example, the governments of Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg all set up in London. They worked with Britain to plan ways to resist the enemy. Charles de Gaulle also started the Free French movement from London.

By 1941, the Czech government, led by Edvard Beneš, was also working closely with Britain. They were recognized as the temporary government of Czechoslovakia.

Later, in June 1941, Greece and Yugoslavia were also taken over by the Axis. Their leaders also had to leave. The Yugoslav government joined the other exiled leaders in London. The Greek government went to Cairo, Egypt.

London became a very important place for the Allies. It was the capital of the only major European country still fighting the Axis. The city itself had been attacked many times during the Battle of Britain and London Blitz.

What Was Agreed and Why It Mattered

The Declaration of St James's Palace had three main agreements:

Working Together: All the countries promised to help each other in the war. They agreed to use all their strength to fight against Germany and Italy.
No Separate Peace: They promised not to make peace with the Axis powers on their own. They agreed that the war would not end until the threat from the Axis was completely gone.
A Peaceful Future: The countries also agreed on a big idea for peace after the war. They wanted a world where "free peoples" could work together. This would help everyone have "economic and social security," meaning safety and a good life.

This declaration was the first time the Allied Powers shared their ideas for what the world should be like after the war. It was a very important first step.

Later, in August 1941, Britain and the United States made these ideas even clearer in the Atlantic Charter. In September, another meeting happened, and the Soviet ambassador joined in. They all agreed to support the Atlantic Charter.

Then, in January 1942, even more countries signed the Declaration by United Nations. This declaration supported the same ideas from St James's Palace. It also pledged that all these nations would work together to defeat the Axis Powers.

Declaration of St James's Palace facts for kids

Why This Meeting Happened

What Was Agreed and Why It Mattered

See also