Atlantic Charter

The Atlantic Charter was an important policy statement that was issued August 14, 1941. It was developed during World War II,  and defined the Allied goals for the post- war world. It was drafted by the leaders of the United States and Great Britain, and later agreed to by all of the Allies. The Atlantic Charter stated the main goals of the war, which were no territorial gains or changes made against the wishes of the people, restoration of self-government to those deprived of it, reduced trade restrictions, global cooperation to secure better economic and social conditions for all, freedom from fear, want,  and the seas, and the abandonment of the use of force, as well as much disarmament of aggressor nations. In the "Declaration by United Nations" (January 1st 1942), the Allies of Wold War I pledged  to this charter's principles.

The Atlantic Charter set many goals for the post- war world, and inspired several of the international agreements that shaped the world after the war. Examples such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the post-war independence of European colonies, and much more were derived from the Atlantic Charter.

The Atlantic Charter's eight principle points:

1. no territorial gains were to be sought by the United States or the United Kingdom
2. territorial adjustments must be in accord with the wishes of the peoples concerned
3. all people had a right to self-determination
4. trade barriers were to be lowered
5. global economic cooperation and advancement of social welfare
6. participants would work for a world free of want and fear
7. participants would work for freedom of the seas
8. disarmament of aggressor nations, and a post-war common disarmament