Essential Question Which events brought the United States into World War II? Which events brought the United States into World War II?

America Enters the War

Norway and Denmark Germany needed iron shipments from Sweden for industry Germany needed iron shipments from Sweden for industry April 1940 – German army took control of Norway and Denmark to protect iron shipments April 1940 – German army took control of Norway and Denmark to protect iron shipments

Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg Germany’s plan – move around the Maginot Line Germany’s plan – move around the Maginot Line May 10, 1940 – Hitler launched a blitzkrieg in the west May 10, 1940 – Hitler launched a blitzkrieg in the west

France Surrenders June 22, 1940 June 22, 1940 France surrendered to Germany France surrendered to Germany Germany installed a puppet government Germany installed a puppet government

England’s Response Winston Churchill – new prime minister Winston Churchill – new prime minister Hitler expected Britain to negotiate peace Hitler expected Britain to negotiate peace Churchill remained defiant Churchill remained defiant

Speech in Parliament, Churchill “Even though large tracts of Europe have fallen... We shall not flag or fail... We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”

Battle of Britain (1940) German Luftwaffe attempted to destroy the British Royal Air Force German Luftwaffe attempted to destroy the British Royal Air Force

Bombing of London August 23, 1940 – German planes first dropped bombs on London August 23, 1940 – German planes first dropped bombs on London England retaliated by bombing Berlin the next night England retaliated by bombing Berlin the next night

Bombings of London Hitler’s new goal – terrorize British population into surrendering Hitler’s new goal – terrorize British population into surrendering British hid nightly in bomb shelters, subway tunnels British hid nightly in bomb shelters, subway tunnels

British Technology Developed radar, placed stations along the coast Developed radar, placed stations along the coast British planes shot down more Germans than could be replaced British planes shot down more Germans than could be replaced

Germany’s Plan Changes Oct. 12, 1940 Oct. 12, 1940 Hitler cancelled the invasion of Britain Hitler cancelled the invasion of Britain British pilots had saved Britain from invasion British pilots had saved Britain from invasion

Quote, Churchill “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Lend-Lease Act By Dec – Great Britain ran out of money to fight Germany By Dec – Great Britain ran out of money to fight Germany Allowed shipment of supplies to Britain as a country “vital to the defense of the U.S.” Allowed shipment of supplies to Britain as a country “vital to the defense of the U.S.”

Hitler Attacks Soviet Union June 1941 – launched an invasion into the U.S.S.R. June 1941 – launched an invasion into the U.S.S.R. Churchill said that any “who fights against Nazism will have our aid.” Churchill said that any “who fights against Nazism will have our aid.”

Atlantic Charter August 1941 August 1941 Roosevelt and Churchill met off the coast of Newfoundland Roosevelt and Churchill met off the coast of Newfoundland Agreed to a postwar world of democracy and free trade Agreed to a postwar world of democracy and free trade

U.S. vs. Japan Japan threatened British colonies in the Pacific Japan threatened British colonies in the Pacific Roosevelt blocked the sale of airplane fuel and scrap iron to Japan Roosevelt blocked the sale of airplane fuel and scrap iron to Japan

Axis Powers Japan signed an alliance with Germany and Italy Japan signed an alliance with Germany and Italy

Pearl Harbor Japan made a surprise attack on Dec. 7, 1941 Japan made a surprise attack on Dec. 7, 1941 Sank or damaged 21 ships of the U.S. Pacific fleet Sank or damaged 21 ships of the U.S. Pacific fleet Destroyed 188 airplanes, killed 2403 Americans Destroyed 188 airplanes, killed 2403 Americans

Pearl Harbor

Declaration of War Dec. 8, 1941 – Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war Dec. 8, 1941 – Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war Passed Passed

Roosevelt’s Speech “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of Japan... I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but we will make certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again... No matter how long it may take us... The American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”

Germany’s Response Dec. 11, 1941 Dec. 11, 1941 Both Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. Both Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S.

Mobilizing for War

U.S. War Production American war production turned the tide in favor of the Allies American war production turned the tide in favor of the Allies

Tanks Replaced Cars Automobile industry mass produced trucks, jeeps, and tanks Automobile industry mass produced trucks, jeeps, and tanks Assembly lines for most military equipment Assembly lines for most military equipment

Liberty Ships Basic cargo ship for the war Basic cargo ship for the war Welded in shipyards Welded in shipyards

Liberty Ships, Brunswick

War Production Board Determined the most important goods to be produced and the distribution of raw materials Determined the most important goods to be produced and the distribution of raw materials

Selective Service and Training Act Peacetime draft begun after Germany invaded France in 1940 Peacetime draft begun after Germany invaded France in 1940

Women’s Army Corps (WAC) Allowed women in the military Allowed women in the military Not in combat positions Not in combat positions Most were administrative or clerical positions Most were administrative or clerical positions