Mrs. Stoffl

Jap. aggression on China in 1937 shocked Americans 3 American sailors killed when Jap. planes sunk the U.S. gunboat Panay on Chang River “Quarantine Speech” Chicago (Oct. 1937) was highly criticized  said FDR called for too much involvement FDR called for an informal alliance of peace-loving nations to “quarantine” the aggressive ones Backed away from this stance after criticism

FDR failed to scare Japan, Br + Fr failed to stop Hitler Br, Fr knew it would take a strong armed defense Spring 1939: Hitler violated Munich Pact and took over the rest of Czechoslovakia = situation becoming a very urgent issue

1939 – Br and Fr agree to not let Hitler take Poland (they predicted it was his next move) Formed an alliance w/ Poland promising aid if attacked Hitler more concerned w/ Soviet Union Signed the Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact on August 23, 1937 Secretly decided to conquer and divide up Poland

The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, 1939 Foreign Ministers von Ribbentrop & Molotov

Poland Attacked: Sept. 1, 1939 Blitzkrieg [“Lightening War”]

German Troops March into Warsaw

Sept. 1, 1939: Hitler unleased a blitzkrieg, unexpected “lightening war” on Poland Used tanks + planes followed by motorized infantry New technology = devastating impact Sept. 17 – Soviet Union strikes Poland from the east  situation beyond hopeless Br and Fr don’t intervene By the end of Sept, Poland completely defeated Europe at war…again! 9/1/1939 : official start to WWII

Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, and Japan Other smaller nations eventually joined Allied Powers: Britain, France U.S., S.U., China eventually joined 8 month period of calm after invasion of Poland then….

Spring 1940: Germany conquered Denmark + Norway May 10, 1940: Sent blitzkrieg forces into Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands Hitler unstoppable France knows Hitler is coming for them next ∴ they construct the Maginot Line.

The “Phony War” ends: Hitler finds a weakness in the Maginot Line and attacks Fr and Br forces from all angles 338,000 Br and Fr escape as France falls to Hitler Their escape, the Miracle of Dunkirk, is celebrated but Prime Minister Winston Churchill warns “wars are not won by evacuations.”

Occupied France – Nazi controlled Vichy France – French “controlled”

The “Phoney War” Ends: Spring, 1940

Churchill ready to combat Hitler Prepared the nation for battle Hitler’s Operation Sea Lion: German Luftwaffe must destroy the British Royal Air Force and ∴ gain control of air space above the English Channel July 1940: Battle of Britain begins Germans: 1,700 planes lost British: 1,000 planes lost, civilians + buildings targeted Britain refused to be defeated and Hitler conceded to leave Britain alone indefinitely.

Churchill: Fight against Hitler  more than just a European struggle Nazis were a threat to freedoms, rights, democracies everywhere Not just a b/w nations, it was a fight b/w ideologies

FDR shared Churchill’s concerns but most Americans opposed intervention Gr. Dep a bigger concern in 1930s Many believed that WWI was a mistake esp. b/c of the rise of fascism in Europe Nye Committee headed by General Nye of SD Committee formed to investigate claims that WWI was a conspiracy of big business to make $ in weapons’ sales Little hard evidence but stated claims were true Further pushed isolationist sentiment

∴ Congress passed the Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, and 1937 Americans forbidden from: Traveling on ship of a nation at war Selling arms/munitions to nations at war Giving loans to nations at war Did not differentiate b/w Axis and Allied powers

FDR very anti-Nazi Once war began, FDR convinced Congress to allow him to aid the democracies of the world ∴ they passed the Neutrality Act of 1939 Cash and carry provision = belligerent nations could buy American goods/arms if they paid cash + brought the supplies to their own ships Essentially helped Allies b/c GB controlled the seas Caused a large debate b/w isolationists and interventionists Became more heated after Hitler conquered France

Isolationists argued that giving aid to the Allies = harming the Axis and ∴ draws U.S. into the war Only way to keep America safe = stay out completely Charles Lindbergh (isolationist leader) argued that the S.U. and Japan were greater threats U.S. shouldn’t weaken itself by aiding GB

“This is London” CBS show that brought the war into American living rooms Showed that the blitz targeted innocent civilians + buildings Convinced many Americans out of complete neutrality and at least prepare to defend itself Tripartite Pact – end of September, 1940 Alliance b/w Germany, Italy, and Japan

∴ Congress passed a Selective Service Act Raised a peacetime draft FDR gives GB 50 U.S. battleships, GB gives U.S. 8 defense bases. Does so w/o Congressional consents FDR reelected in 1940 for a 3 rd term!

FDR safety reelected ∴ he can increase support for GB Four Freedoms speech to Congress when GB short on $ Freedom of speech Freedom of worship Freedom from want Freedom from fear Said these were all threatened by the Nazis ∴ U.S. needs to aid GB in order to stay out of war

Fire in neighbor’s house analogy FDR said America must be “the great arsenal for democracy.” March 1941: Congress approved the Lend-Lease Act Allowed FDR to “sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of, to any such gov’t any defense article” when “necessary in the defense of the U.S.” $40 billion approved in lend-lease funds for Allies

Churchill and FDR secretly meet and sign the Atlantic Charter: Reinforced national self-determination System of “general security” internationally Similar to L.O.N.

Hitler was aware of the U.S. support to the Allies June 1941: S.U. and Germany at war Fall 1941: Hitler ordered German U-boats to attacks American ships Killed over 100 American soldiers and FDR gives the navy orders to attack a U-boat in sight War closer than ever.