In the period between September 29 and October 1, 1941, the Russian capital, Moscow, hosted an important international conference that had a significant impact on the course of World War II.
The conference, which was attended by representatives of Soviet Russia (the Soviet Union), Britain and the United States of America, discussed issues related to providing the Soviet Union with what would help it repel the aggression of Nazi Germany.
Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941. On that evening, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced his country’s readiness to support the Soviet Union in its struggle against the aggressor, while the United States of America did not specify its position on the German aggression against the Soviet Union.
Positioning
The United States of America determined its position at a later time after the envoy of the American President, Gary Guppkins, visited Moscow in the period between July 29 and August 1, when the United States of America announced its agreement to provide economic assistance to the Soviet Union, and expressed its willingness to accept The Soviet Union’s requests, the supply of what the Soviet Union requests, and the use of American transportation to deliver American supplies to the Soviet Union.
give a hand
US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, during a meeting between them that began on August 9 and continued until August 12, confirmed their countries’ readiness to supply the Soviet Union with what it needed, and suggested holding a conference to discuss issues related to providing the necessary support to the Soviet Union. Soviet leader Stalin announced his agreement to hold the conference on August 15, 1941.
The US President’s Special Envoy to Britain and the Soviet Union, William Averell Garriman, and the British Prime Minister’s Envoy, Secretary of Military Supplies, Maxwe Bevey, arrived in Moscow on September 28. On the same day, they were received by the Soviet leader Stalin. And Gariman handed him a letter from President Roosevelt in which the American president confirmed his country’s intention to extend a helping hand to Russia.
The Moscow Conference began its work on September 29, 1941. The Soviet delegation was headed by the Soviet delegation to it, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vyacheslav Molotov. Leader Stalin attended its sessions that lasted until October 1, and culminated in Britain and the United States of America declaring their commitment to supplying weapons and military equipment to the Soviet Union on a monthly basis from October 1, 1941 until June 30, 1942.
The Soviet Union had to pay for the supplies later, when conditions would allow it to pay the bills for the supplies. The United States and Britain took this step, realizing the seriousness of the repercussions of the lack of weapons needed to repel German aggression against the Soviet Union on all members of the anti-Nazi regime.
The United States of America pledged to deliver 85,000 freight cars to the Soviet Union in the mentioned period. The Soviet Union was also to get from the Allies 3.5 thousand tanks and 4.5 thousand aircraft. For its part, the Soviet Union expressed readiness to supply Britain and the United States of America with what they need from raw materials for the military industry.
popular support
The steps of the leaders of the United States of America and Britain won the support of their peoples, who seek to achieve victory over the fascist axis countries at the earliest. The United States of America, England, Canada and other countries witnessed the organization of mass demonstrations in support of the Soviet Union, and the establishment of anti-fascist and Nazi civil societies. And the Soviet Union began to receive thousands of tons of medicine, food and other gifts from people in these countries.
The Moscow Conference was considered a major step on the road to strengthening the anti-Nazi coalition and mobilizing the resources of the Soviet Union, the United States of America and Britain to defeat the aggressive axis.