American Involvement WWII America’s response to WWII – between & after 1941

Isolationism After WWI the US continued to stay out of foreign affairs during the 1920s and 1930s.

Neutrality Acts Fearful of another war, the US passed the Neutrality Acts It forbid the sale of weapons or military equipment to rival nations in Europe Americans watched silently as Nazi Germany emerged as a dominant world power and a dangerous rogue nation – all in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.

FDR’s Third Term Only president to ever run for a third term. He won by promising we won’t get involved in war with Europe again. When Roosevelt began running for his third term as president, he established a precedent – he was the only man in US History to run for a third term in office. Many Americans were uncertain what role our nation would play in the world during this period of conflict. Roosevelt reassured them, “Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.” Like Woodrow Wilson, history would make a liar out of President Roosevelt.

DO YOU THINK THE UNITED STATES SHOULD REMAIN NEUTRAL? Debating America’s involvement in WWII

The Selective Training & Service Act The first ever peace time draft of Americans in preparation for military conflict. Millions of American men would be selected in the draft.

Economic Aid to Allies By 1940, the US realized which side we must support in the conflict. Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act in 1940 to GIVE England, China, and the Soviet Union immediate military aid.

The Atlantic Charter The Atlantic Charter was negotiated in secret, since most Americans were still committed to an isolationist foreign policy and a neutral stance on the war in Europe. Churchill and FDR made three(3)major commitments, though: The Allies after the war: 1.won’t seek any more land 2.would encourage self- government everywhere 3.would create a new international peace organization to replace the League of Nations

Japanese Aggression in East Asia Japan invaded Indochina – French controlled colonies in Southeast Asia (today this is Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, & Laos.) The US responded by refusing to trade oil and steel to Japan. The move was a good ten years too late – Japan had invaded Manchuria and Korea in 1931, with no response from the United States. Japan, seeing no use for their American rivals in the Pacific now, began planning to attack Pearl Harbor and provoke war.

DO YOU THINK THE UNITED STATES SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN WWII? STOP – complete BACK of “America Citizens: Should the US get involved in WWII?”

Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 US was attacked by Japan FDR called it “a date which will live in infamy” 2,400 US died; over 1,100 wounded; 18 ships sunk or “grounded”

Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor The invasion of Pearl Harbor was a complete surprise, although many Americans were aware the relations between the United States and the Empire of Japan were turning sour by the summer of Reports that Americans knew the attack was coming and refused to warn the men at Pearl Harbor are the products of conspiracy theorists and not historians. FDR did want for the US to go to war, and he did know that Japan was a real threat, but no one withheld any information from the men in Hawaii, and the attack was a surprise.

Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor In addition to the deaths of over 2,400 men, the US Pacific fleet was devastated by the invasion. The USS Arizona, seen here, was sunk in the harbor itself – and other ships were nearly sunk in places that might have blocked the exit and entrance routes at Pearl. If there was anything positive to report at all, it was a stroke of unimaginable good fortune – most of the aircraft carriers stationed at Pearl Harbor at the time were out to sea, and therefore were saved from destruction. Our navy would be able to recover from the devastation.

Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor President FDR described the invasion in an address to the American people the day after the attack, and asked for a declaration of war against Japan at the end of his speech: “Yesterday, December 7th, a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

Declaration of War Immediately after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. declares war on Germany, Italy, and Japan

Axis Powers Declare War In response, Italy and Germany declare war on the U.S.

Opposition to War Not EVERYONE in America agreed to us joining WWII. Opposition to the war were loud and proud. America First Committee: – largest anti-war group in history – Charles Lindbergh was a member – Shut down after Pearl Harbor – “by keeping America out of WWII until Hitler attacked Stalin, Soviet Russia, and not America, bore the brunt of the fighting, bleeding, and dying against the Nazis.” Jeanette Rankin: – First woman in Congress – ONLY member to vote AGAINST US joining WWII after Pearl Harbor – Was one of 50 who voted against US joining WWI