The
Casablanca Conference (codenamed
SYMBOL) was held at the Anfa Hotel in
Casablanca,
French Morocco from January 14 to 24, 1943, to plan the Allied European strategy for the next phase of
World War II. In attendance were United States President
Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill, and representing the
Free French forces Generals
Charles de Gaulle and
Henri Giraud. Premier
Joseph Stalin had declined to attend, citing the ongoing conflict in
Stalingrad requiring his presence in the
Soviet Union. The conference agenda addressed the specifics of tactical procedure, allocation of resources and the broader issues of diplomatic policy. The debate and negotiations produced what was known as the "Casablanca Declaration", and what is, perhaps, its most historically provocative statement of purpose, "
unconditional surrender". The doctrine of "unconditional surrender" came to represent the unified voice of implacable Allied will—the determination that the
Axis powers would be fought to their ultimate defeat.