Because Churchill’s strategy prevailed, some have declared the Casablanca conference a victory for British negotiators. But this view overlooks the fact that the Americans also gained British commitments to long-term goals that went well beyond the immediate objectives in the Mediterranean. While the Americans agreed to follow victory in North Africa with an assault on Sicily, the British agreed to begin a massive buildup of Allied forces in Britain for an invasion of France by a specific target date — May 1, 1944 — or sooner if the German war machine unexpectedly faltered. (The actual invasion would take place on June 6, 1944.) For the Pacific theater, the negotiators agreed on compromise language stating that operations would continue using the forces already allocated, with the goal of attaining a position of readiness for a full-scale offensive against Japan after Germany’s defeat. The Casablanca agreement also called for an expanded bombing campaign against Germany, continued efforts to provide war supplies to the Soviet Union, and increased efforts to assist the Nationalist Chinese against Japan. Roosevelt spent much time and effort attempting to arrange a reconciliation between rival French leaders, General Charles de Gaulle, commander of the Britain-based Free French; and General Henri Giraud, high commissioner of French North and West Africa. Many Americans wanted the United States to throw its weight entirely behind de Gaulle, but Roosevelt did not trust the general, whom he viewed as an imperialist and potential autocrat. Yet some arrangement was necessary. We will call Giraud the bridegroom, and I shall send for him from Algiers, Roosevelt told Churchill. On your side, you will send to London for the bride, de Gaulle, and we will arrange a shotgun wedding. While Roosevelt’s plans for a wedding fell short, he did get the two rivals to shake hands for photographers before the conference ended.

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The president enjoyed the conviviality and relaxation of the cocktail hour and a dinner party, and both leaders found time for lighter moments at Casablanca. According to General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the commander of Operation Torch, Roosevelt behaved with optimism and buoyancy, amounting almost to lightheartedness… Successful in shaking loose for a few days many burdens of state, he seemed to experience a tremendous uplift from the fact that he had secretly slipped away from Washington and was engaged in a historic meeting on territory that only two months before had been a battleground. The presence of family members added to the pleasant social atmosphere. Lieutenant Colonel Elliott Roosevelt served as greeter to distinguished guests at the presidential villa, and Lieutenant Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., whose destroyer had taken part in the Operation Torch landings, was present too. Churchill’s son Randolph, recently recovered from injuries sustained returning from a commando raid on Benghazi, Libya, joined the prime minister, while Sergeant Robert Hopkins had been ordered off the frontlines in Tunisia to be with his father. Safety concerns kept Roosevelt away from the front, but he greatly enjoyed a drive he made up the coast on January 21 with the commander of U.S. troops in Morocco, General George S. Patton. With a fighter escort flying cover, the party traveled past American troop encampments and vast stores of gasoline and ammunition. North of Rabat, the president reviewed thousands of American troops who expected to see General Mark Clark, the Fifth Army commander drive past. Most kept their composure when they saw the president, thought to be in the United States. As he slowly drove past the ranks of troops, Roosevelt roared with laughter when he heard one soldier exclaim, Jesus, it’s the old man himself! On the evening of January 22, the president invited Churchill and Morocco’s Sultan Sidi Muhammad to dinner. Harry Hopkins later wrote that the sultan came loaded with presents — a gold dagger for the president, and some gold bracelets for Mrs. Roosevelt and a gold tiara which looked to me like the kind the gals wear in the circus, riding on white horses. In deference to the sultan’s Islamic faith, Roosevelt served no alcohol, much to Churchill’s chagrin. The prime minister’s dismay increased when Roosevelt steered the conversation toward colonialism, a particular sore point between the president and Churchill, who wanted to maintain Britain’s colonies after the war. Morocco had been a French protectorate since 1912, and Roosevelt sketched out for the sultan the role that America could play in post-colonial Morocco. Churchill knew that Roosevelt’s views on France’s colonies applied to Britain’s as well, and the prime minister moved uneasily in his chair until the conversation changed to another subject.

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