America Moves Towards War

Nye Committee Argument: US had been dragged into WWI by greedy bankers and arms dealers. Led to public outrage. Wilson provoked Germany by sailing into warring nations water. Senator Gerald Nye headed a congressional committee to hear the charges. Outcome: Bankers wanted war to protect loans and arms manufactures to make money. Americans became determined to avoid another war.

Neutrality in WWII Neutrality Act 1935 : no arms could be sold or transported on American ships to nations involved in wars. No travel on ships of warring nations. Neutrality Act 1936: no loans could be made to warring nations. Neutrality Act 1939: congress added a cash and carry policy. Allows US to sell supplies on a cash and carry basis. Results: Aggressors could not send ships to buy supplies US economy improved as European demands for war goods brought the US out of the Depression America becomes the “Arsenal of Democracy” Neutrality Act 1940: congress added the Lend-Lease Act enabling FDR to sell and lend arms and supplies to nations whose defense was vital to the US.

Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” Speech Given by FDR 11 months prior to pearl Harbor. Declared US desire to promote 4 essential freedoms. Freedom from fear, want, Freedom of speech and religion.

Tripartite Pact What ? Alliance between Italy, Germany, and Japan. Purpose? Aimed at keeping the United States out of the war. If the US declared war on anyone of the Axis powers it would face a two ocean war.

Identifying the causes of WWII Militarism Alliance System Imperialism Nationalism How would the United States React to this War?

Preparing for War Roosevelt ask congress to increase spending for national defense. Congress passed the first peacetime draft. The Selective Training and Service Act: 16 million men ages 21 to 35 were registered.

Election 1940 Candidates: Franklin Roosevelt and Wendall Willkie Both promised to keep US out of the war. Little difference between the two. FDR elected for a third term with 55% of the votes.

US and the Soviet Union In June of 1941 Hitler broke his agreement with Stalin not to invade the Soviet Union. Roosevelt began to send lend-lease supplies to the Soviet Union

German U-Boots Attack Greer: German submarines fired on the US destroyer in the Atlantic on Sept. 4, 1941. FDR orders the navy to shoot German submarines on sight. Pink Star: An American merchant ship was sunk in Greenland by German u-boats. Kearny: US destroyer torpedoed by U-Boats killing 11. Reuben James: German u-boats sank the US destroyer killing 100 sailors

In the meantime……out in the Pacific Japan is mired in China. US is pressuring them to get out, Japan is heavily dependent on US steel, oil, gasoline and other war supplies. If US cuts them off, Japan is toast. FDR reluctant to impose sanctions. Why? Late 1940 US does impose sanctions. 1941 freeze Japanese assets and ends all oil shipments. Japan’s choices US has broken code and knows that Japan plans to attack somewhere. Warnings from US to Pearl Harbor are late in arriving.

Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941 Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor. Dec. 8, 1941: FDR asked congress to declare war on Japan stating “ Yesterday December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. ”… “ [the Japanese launched] an unprovoked and dastardly attack” Congress declared war on Japan. Jeannette Rankin: the only no vote for war after the Pearl Harbor attack.

Pearl Harbor

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

Pearl Harbor from the Cockpit of a Japanese Plane

A date which will live in infamy! Pearl Harbor – Dec. 7, 1941 A date which will live in infamy!

FDR Signs the War Declaration

USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor Memorial 2,887 Americans Dead!