History of Africa

What was decided at the Cairo conference?

At the Cairo Conference in November 1943, the following major decisions were made:

1. Mediterranean Strategy: The Allied leaders primarily focused on devising the overall Mediterranean strategy. They determined that the main effort would be an amphibious invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, to be followed by the invasion of mainland Italy.

2. Italy and Postwar Europe: The Allies outlined their approach toward Italy, discussing potential terms for its surrender and armistice. They agreed on a policy of unconditional surrender but also explored the possibility of encouraging Italian moderates to undermine Benito Mussolini's fascist regime.

3. Balkan Front: The conference highlighted the importance of coordinating military operations in the Balkans. The Allied leaders aimed to support resistance movements in occupied countries, such as Yugoslavia, and considered operations against German forces in the region.

4. Pacific War: The Cairo Declaration was issued during the conference. This declaration outlined the Allied objectives in the Pacific theater of World War II, including the liberation of territories conquered by Japan, such as Burma and the Philippines, and ultimately seeking the unconditional surrender of Japan.

5. Collaboration and Future Cooperation: The conference emphasized the need for continued cooperation among the Allied powers. The leaders discussed the establishment of international organizations, including a United Nations structure, to maintain peace and security after the war.

6. Future Political Order: The Allies affirmed the importance of democracy, self-determination for peoples, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in shaping the postwar international order.

Overall, the Cairo Conference solidified the Allied commitment to defeating the Axis powers and defined their strategies for both the European and Pacific theaters of the war. It also laid the groundwork for discussions about the postwar world and the creation of mechanisms to prevent future conflicts.