The sequential organization of the document helps us to understand its meaning. Each of the “principles” in the document identifies an economic, political or social goal of the Atlantic Charter. Each of the eight principles from the document are listed in the sequence below. This sequential format organized the charter’s objectives into a clear list, with each idea following the same theme as the previous. Click on a box to explore a summary of each principle.
First, their countries seek no aggrandizement [expansion], territorial or other; Second, they desire to see no territorial changes that do not accord [agree] with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples concerned; Third, they respect the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they will live; and they wish to see sovereign rights and self government restored to those who have been forcibly deprived of them; Fourth, they will … further the enjoyment by all States, great or small, victor or vanquished (defeated), of access, on equal terms, to the trade and to the raw materials of the world which are needed for their economic prosperity; Fifth, they desire to [improve] labor standards, economic advancement and social security; Sixth, after the final destruction of the Nazi tyranny, they hope to see established a peace … Seventh, such a peace should enable all men to traverse the high seas and oceans without hindrance; Eighth, they believe that all of the nations of the world … must [abandon] the use of force.