1. From Neutrality to War pages 271-275 It Matters Because… Although Americans wanted to avoid another foreign war, they sent aid when their allies were threatened. The attack on Pearl Harbor convince the United States to Declare War.

2. From Neutrality to War pages 271-275 Notes: page 271 Rise of dictatorships and militarism in Europe European nations wouldn’t repay war debts to U.S. Americans supported isolationism 1934, Senator Gerald P. Nye held hearings to investigate allegations that arms manufacturers tricked the U.S. into WWI to make huge profits. 1935 Congress passed the Neutrality Act making it illegal for Americans to sell arms to any country at war. 1936 they passed a second neutrality act banning the sale of arms to either side in a civil war.

3. From Neutrality to War pages 271-275 Notes: page 272 Hitler and Mussolini pledged to cooperate with each other. Japan aligned itself with Germany and Italy and they became known as the Axis Powers. 1937 Congress passed the Neutrality Act continuing the ban on selling arms to warring nations and also requiring them to buy all nonmilitary supplies in cash. President Roosevelt supported internationalism. 1937, Japan invaded China and Roosevelt said the 1937 Neutrality Act did not apply and he authorized the sale of weapons to China.

4. From Neutrality to War pages 271-275 Notes: page 273 Roosevelt wanted to help Britain and France so Congress passed the Neutrality Act of 1939 permitting the sale of weapons for cash. Roosevelt sent 50 ships to Britain in exchange for America’s use of British bases in the Atlantic. Lend-Lease Act allowed the U.S. to lend or lease arms to any country considered “vital to the defense of the U.S.” Atlantic Charter committed both nations (U.S. and Britain) to a postwar world of democracy, non aggression, free trade, economic advancement, and freedom of the seas. American ships began “shoot-on-sight” policy towards German submarines.

5. From Neutrality to War pages 271-275 Notes: page 274 The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the U.S. into WW2. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the U.S. into WW2. July 1940, Congress gave the president the power to restrict the sale of war materials to Japan. July 1940, Congress gave the president the power to restrict the sale of war materials to Japan. Japan signed an alliance with Germany and Italy becoming a member of the Axis. Japan signed an alliance with Germany and Italy becoming a member of the Axis. Japans assets were frozen in the U.S. and General MacArthur was sent to the Philippines to build defenses. Japans assets were frozen in the U.S. and General MacArthur was sent to the Philippines to build defenses. Japanese military planned to attack the resource-rice British and Dutch colonies in Southeast Asia and seize the Philippines and attack Pearl Harbor. Japanese military planned to attack the resource-rice British and Dutch colonies in Southeast Asia and seize the Philippines and attack Pearl Harbor.

6. From Neutrality to War pages 271-275 Notes: page 275 Japan and America were having negotiations but Japan always intended to go to war against the U.S. Japan and America were having negotiations but Japan always intended to go to war against the U.S. Dec. 1941 Japan surprise attacked Pearl Harbor, devastating America. Dec. 1941 Japan surprise attacked Pearl Harbor, devastating America. Hitler underestimated the U.S. and the U.S. would see Germany as the bigger target. He hoped Japan would help him fight the U.S. Hitler underestimated the U.S. and the U.S. would see Germany as the bigger target. He hoped Japan would help him fight the U.S. Germany and Italy both declared war on the U.S. Germany and Italy both declared war on the U.S.