The United States’ Road to War

Key Terms Neutrality Acts America First Committee Lend-Lease Act Pearl Harbor “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy…”

American Neutrality Reluctance to fight due to World War I Need to focus on domestic issues, Great Depression No direct threat to U.S. – we are an island Neutrality Acts: 1935 – bans U.S. from providing weapons 1936 – bans loans to nations at war 1937 – Cash and Carry permits trade, but nations must pay cash and transport

Lend-Lease Act Once Britain and France join war, U.S. backs away from complete neutrality After France falls, U.S. supports “all aid short of war” Lend-Lease Act permits loan of American military aid to Britain, in exchange for permission to build on and use British bases in North America. “If your neighbor’s house is on fire, you don’t sell him a hose” America First Committee After first lend-lease, group forms to slow U.S. movement toward war. Membership grows to 800,000, including Charles Lindbergh.

Pearl Harbor: December 7, 1941 A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

Pearl Harbor Japan attacks U.S. naval base in Hawaii Prompted by U.S. embargos on oil and steel – remember, Japan was after resources! Base was home to U.S. Pacific fleet Two-hour attack on Sunday morning, December 7 kills 2,400, destroys 200 planes and 21 ships. December 8 – Congress declares war on Japan Only one member, Jeannette Rankin of Montana, votes against war. December 11 – Germany and Italy – Axis allies of Japan – declare war on the U.S.

An Attack on American Soil