World War II ( ) US Involvement ( )

Causes for World War II UNDERLYING: Treaty of Versailles Treaty of Versailles Nationalism Nationalism Worldwide Depression Worldwide Depression Dictatorships Dictatorships The policy of appeasement The policy of appeasement American Isolationism American IsolationismDIRECT: Germany invading Poland on September 1 st, 1939 Germany invading Poland on September 1 st, 1939

Hitler and Nazi Germany Rise to power result of weakness of previous government (1933- became Chancellor) Rise to power result of weakness of previous government (1933- became Chancellor) Charismatic speaker, preached German nationalism, denounced Versailles Treaty Charismatic speaker, preached German nationalism, denounced Versailles Treaty Blamed Jews, communists for Germany’s problems Blamed Jews, communists for Germany’s problems Promised return of German pride Promised return of German pride

Benito Mussolini in Italy Fascist leader who took control of Italy in 1922 Fascist leader who took control of Italy in 1922 Wanted to create another Roman Empire Wanted to create another Roman Empire Invaded Ethiopia in 1935 Invaded Ethiopia in 1935 Along with Hitler supported Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War (combat experience) Along with Hitler supported Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War (combat experience)

Japanese Expansion Sought total control of Pacific (resources) Sought total control of Pacific (resources) military occupation of Manchuria military occupation of Manchuria Japan signs Pact with Germany, Italy Japan signs Pact with Germany, Italy Nanking Massacre- December 1937 Nanking Massacre- December 1937

American Neutrality U.S. in midst of Great Depression, public intent on remaining neutral U.S. in midst of Great Depression, public intent on remaining neutral President Roosevelt

Isolationism in the United States Economic, military reasons for neutrality Tried to prevent mistakes that led to WWI involvement FDR: “Let no one imagine that we will escape…that this western hemisphere will not be attacked”—outraged many isolationists Hitler and Mussolini

From Neutrality to Undeclared War When WW II began in 1939, FDR got Congress agree to a cash & carry policy to aid the Allies: When WW II began in 1939, FDR got Congress agree to a cash & carry policy to aid the Allies: –The U.S. would trade with the Allies but would not offer loans & would not deliver American products to Europe (so come get them yourselves!) “Destroyers for Bases”: 50 American destroyers exchanged for the use of 8 British naval bases along the North Atlantic coast “Destroyers for Bases”: 50 American destroyers exchanged for the use of 8 British naval bases along the North Atlantic coast –allowed the U.S. to extend its influence FDR called for a Lend-Lease Act: FDR called for a Lend-Lease Act: –US can sell or lend war supplies to Allied nations

From Neutrality to Undeclared War Isolationists Appalled by this departure from neutrality & FDR’s involvement of the US in a foreign war Appalled by this departure from neutrality & FDR’s involvement of the US in a foreign war Their “Fortress of America” idea argued that Germany was not a threat to the US Their “Fortress of America” idea argued that Germany was not a threat to the USInterventionists Groups like the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies called for unlimited aid to England Groups like the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies called for unlimited aid to England They argued that the events in Europe did impact the security of US They argued that the events in Europe did impact the security of US

From Neutrality to Undeclared War England desperately needed help escorting these supplies through the u- boat infested Atlantic England desperately needed help escorting these supplies through the u- boat infested Atlantic –FDR allowed for US patrols in the western half of the Atlantic –German attacks on US ships led to an undeclared naval war in 1941 & allowed US ships to fully deliver war supplies to Allies US Cash and Carry Program

FDR’s Four Freedoms “ The first is freedom of speech and expression-- everywhere in the world. “ The first is freedom of speech and expression-- everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way--everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way--everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want--which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants-everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want--which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants-everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor--anywhere in the world.” The fourth is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor--anywhere in the world.”

From Neutrality to Undeclared War In 1941, FDR & Churchill met to secretly draft the Atlantic Charter: In 1941, FDR & Churchill met to secretly draft the Atlantic Charter: –The U.S. & Britain discussed military strategy if America were to enter the war –They discussed post-war goals of liberty, free trade, & disarmament

The U.S. Enters the War The U.S. destroyer Greer attacked in September 1941  The U.S. destroyer Greer attacked in September 1941  – direct involvement in naval warfare USS Greer Atlantic Charter

Japan wanted to extend influence in Far East Japan wanted to extend influence in Far East Anticipating attack in the Philippines, in July 1940: U.S. embargo of raw materials to Japan Anticipating attack in the Philippines, in July 1940: U.S. embargo of raw materials to Japan December 7, 1941: Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, Hawaii December 7, 1941: Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor United States and Japan

Images of Pearl Harbor

America Enters War Pearl Harbor attack devastates nation Pearl Harbor attack devastates nation FDR: “A date which will live in infamy” FDR: “A date which will live in infamy” December 8, FDR receives war declaration from Congress against Japan December 8, FDR receives war declaration from Congress against Japan Germany, Italy declare war on United States Germany, Italy declare war on United States FDR addresses Congress after Pearl Harbor attack