The major problem facing the United States was the American policy of “unconditional surrender” which had been imposed on both Italy and Germany in their surrenders and had caused almost-insurmountable problems. While the policy - first enunciated by FDR at the Casablanc Conference in February 1943 at a low point in domestic support for the war - played well in US internal politics, it hamstrung the actual negotiations. In fact, it was FDR’s worst single decision of the war - perhaps of his presidency - since it extended the conflict by nearly a year.
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