Why did the USA join WW2?

Task Get into pairs One person from each pair to stay in the room and use the text books to help find the reasons. The other group to go to IT3 and make notes from the remainder of this presentation. Back in Hu1 after 20 mins to collate evidence. Debate the importance of the causes for last 15 mins.

Japan, China, the United States and the Road to Pearl Harbor, 1937-41 Pre 1937 – most US officials were not too bothered with the fighting between China and Japan. Japan and China went to full scale war in July 1937, this lead to US public opinion supporting China. Japanese Army bombed USS Panay killing three – US government still want to avoid conflict.

1940-1941 Roosevelt formalises aid to China. Allows credit to allow China to buy arms and begins to restrict Japan’s access to raw materials such as steel, oil and iron. Japan established the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere and announced their intention to drive the Western imperialist nations from Asia. Japan signed the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy on September 27, 1940 and thereby linked the conflicts in Europe and Asia.

In mid-1941, Japan signed a Neutrality Pact with the Soviet Union, making it clear that Japan's military would be moving into Southeast Asia, where the United States had greater interests. An agreement with Vichy France enabled Japanese forces to move into Indochina and begin their Southern Advance.

The United States responses to the growing threat Temporarily halted negotiations with Japanese diplomats. Instituted a full embargo on exports to Japan. Froze Japanese assets in U.S. banks. Sent supplies into China along the Burma Road.

Japan’s response to US actions Faced with serious shortages as a result of the embargo, unable to retreat, and convinced that the U.S. officials opposed further negotiations, Japan's leaders came to the conclusion that they had to act swiftly. This lead to the attack on Pearl Harbor.