List of Allied World War II conferences facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Second World War was a huge global conflict that involved many countries. To win the war, the leaders of the Allied countries needed to meet often. They talked about battle plans, how to help each other, and what the world would look like after the war. These important meetings were called conferences.

Some conferences were very secret and had special "code names" to hide what they were about. The most important meetings were those where the leaders of the three main Allied powers – the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union – all met together. These leaders were Franklin D. Roosevelt (USA), Winston Churchill (UK), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union).

Key Meetings of World War II
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Key Meetings of World War II

Early War Discussions (1941-1942)

Even before the United States officially joined the war, Allied leaders were planning.

Planning for Entry: ABC-1 (1941)

The U.S.-British Staff Conference, known as ABC-1, happened in Washington, D.C. from January to March 1941. Military leaders from America, Britain, and Canada met. They made a basic plan for how the U.S. would join the war if needed.

Atlantic Charter: A Vision for Peace (1941)

In August 1941, Churchill and Roosevelt met secretly off the coast of Newfoundland. This was the Atlantic Conference, code-named RIVIERA. They created the Atlantic Charter, a set of goals for the world after the war. It talked about freedom, peace, and countries choosing their own governments. Later, many other Allied nations agreed to these ideas.

First Washington Conference: Declaration by United Nations (1941-1942)

The First Washington Conference, called ARCADIA, took place in Washington, D.C. from December 1941 to January 1942. Churchill and Roosevelt met again. They decided that defeating Nazi Germany was the top priority. They also signed the Declaration by United Nations, where many countries promised to work together against the Axis powers. This was a big step towards forming the United Nations later.

Second Washington Conference: Focus on North Africa (1942)

In June 1942, Churchill and Roosevelt met in Washington, D.C. for the Second Washington Conference, code-named ARGONAUT. They decided to focus on opening a new front in North Africa first. This plan, called Operation Torch, involved Allied forces landing in French North Africa. It meant delaying a direct invasion across the English Channel into Europe.

Second Moscow Conference: Explaining Torch (1942)

Churchill, Stalin, and American diplomat W. Averell Harriman met in Moscow in August 1942. This was the Second Moscow Conference, code-named BRACELET. Churchill explained why the Allies were invading North Africa instead of opening a second front in Europe right away. They also discussed sharing information and technology.

Planning for Victory (1943)

As the war continued, leaders met to plan major attacks and discuss the future.

Casablanca Conference: Unconditional Surrender (1943)

In January 1943, Churchill and Roosevelt met in Casablanca, French Morocco. This was the Casablanca Conference, code-named SYMBOL. They planned the invasion of Italy and a cross-Channel invasion for 1944. A very important decision was made here: the Allies would demand "unconditional surrender" from the Axis powers. This meant the Axis had to give up completely, without any special conditions.

Third Washington Conference: Italy and Air Power (1943)

Churchill and Roosevelt met again in Washington, D.C. in May 1943 for the Third Washington Conference, code-named TRIDENT. They finalized plans for the Italian Campaign. They also agreed to increase air attacks on Germany and step up the war effort in the Pacific against Japan.

First Quebec Conference: D-Day Set (1943)

From August 17-24, 1943, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King met in Quebec City, Canada. This was the First Quebec Conference, code-named QUADRANT. A major outcome was setting the date for Operation Overlord (D-Day), the invasion of France, for 1944. They also discussed plans for the war in Southeast Asia.

Third Moscow Conference: Post-War Declarations (1943)

In October and November 1943, the foreign ministers of the U.S., UK, and Soviet Union met in Moscow. This was the Third Moscow Conference. They issued the Moscow Declaration, which talked about punishing war criminals and creating an international organization for peace after the war.

Cairo Conference: Plans for Asia (1943)

Just before the Tehran Conference, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek met in Cairo, Egypt, in November 1943. This was the Cairo Conference, code-named SEXTANT. They made the 1943 Cairo Declaration, outlining plans for postwar Asia, especially regarding Japan.

Tehran Conference: The Big Three Meet (1943)

The Tehran Conference was held in Tehran, Iran, from November 28 to December 1, 1943. This was the first time Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin – the "Big Three" – met together. Code-named EUREKA, this meeting was crucial. They planned the final strategy to defeat Nazi Germany and its allies. They also confirmed the date for Operation Overlord, the D-Day invasion.

Towards the End of the War (1944-1945)

As the Allies pushed towards victory, conferences focused on finishing the war and shaping the post-war world.

Second Quebec Conference: Germany's Future (1944)

Churchill and Roosevelt met again in Quebec City in September 1944 for the Second Quebec Conference, code-named OCTAGON. They discussed plans for postwar Germany, including the Morgenthau Plan, which aimed to prevent Germany from starting another war.

Fourth Moscow Conference: Spheres of Influence (1944)

In October 1944, Churchill and Stalin met in Moscow for the Fourth Moscow Conference, code-named TOLSTOY. They discussed how Eastern Europe and the Balkan countries would be divided into "spheres of influence" after the war. This meant deciding which major power would have more say in those regions.

Malta Conference: Preparing for Yalta (1945)

Churchill and Roosevelt met in Floriana, Malta, from January 30 to February 2, 1945. This was the Malta Conference, code-named ARGONAUT and CRICKET. It was a preparation meeting for the very important Yalta Conference that followed.

Yalta Conference: Shaping Post-War Europe (1945)

The Yalta Conference took place in Yalta, Soviet Union, from February 4 to 11, 1945. This was the second meeting of the Big Three: Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin. Code-named ARGONAUT and MAGNETO, they made final plans for defeating Germany and discussed the future of Europe after the war. They also set a date for the United Nations Conference and agreed on conditions for the Soviet Union to join the war against Japan.

United Nations Conference: A New World Body (1945)

Representatives from 50 nations met in San Francisco, United States, from April 25 to June 26, 1945. This was the United Nations Conference on International Organization. They created the United Nations Charter, which officially established the United Nations as an organization to promote peace and cooperation worldwide.

Potsdam Conference: The War Ends, A New Leader (1945)

The Potsdam Conference was held in Potsdam, Germany, from July 17 to August 2, 1945. This was the third and final meeting of the Big Three leaders. By this time, Harry Truman had become the U.S. President after Roosevelt's death, and Clement Attlee became the UK Prime Minister during the conference. Stalin was still the Soviet leader. Code-named TERMINAL, they issued the Potsdam Declaration, demanding Japan's unconditional surrender. They also made agreements on how to manage Germany after its defeat.

These conferences were vital for the Allies to work together, plan their strategies, and lay the groundwork for the post-war world.