1. In the wars before the outbreak of WWII, Americans were afraid that the rise of dictators would cause another war
Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts ( ) that, in case of a war, made it illegal for companies to sell weapons or transport goods to any nation at war

2. President Franklin Roosevelt wanted a more active response to stop dictators, but failed to convince world leaders to “quarantine” aggressor nations in 1937

3. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and World War II began between the Axis and Allies

4. Remember Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare?
When the war started, Congress amended the Neutrality Acts and allowed U.S. companies to sell weapons to the Allies on a “cash and carry” basis
Remember Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare?
Allied nations could buy U.S.-made war goods but had to pay in cash and had to transport goods on their own ships
The cash-and-carry policy allowed the USA to aid the Allies while remaining neutral and avoid the causes of American entry into the first world war

5. He campaigned on a platform of neutrality but with “preparedness”
In 1940, Franklin Roosevelt was elected to an unprecedented third term as president
He campaigned on a platform of neutrality but with “preparedness”
FDR prepared for possible entry into the war by calling for the first peacetime draft

6. The fall of France in 1940 worried Americans that the Axis Powers might win World War II
German Luftwaffe attacks on Britain meant that England needed U.S. aid more than ever

7. The USA responded with the Lend-Lease Act in 1941
The Lend-Lease Act allowed the USA to send war supplies to Allied nations and transport war-related goods to Europe on armed ships
The Lend-Lease Act was used throughout WWII, transformed the USA into an “arsenal of democracy,” and helped end the depression in America

8. By 1941, the USA was entangled in a dangerous war: German submarines patrolled the Atlantic, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union, and Japan attacked Pacific islands with little opposition

9. The success of the Axis Powers in Europe brought the USA closer to an undeclared war on Germany
FDR gave the navy and merchant ships authority to attack German u-boats

10. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill secretly drafted the Atlantic Charter which planned a war strategy if the USA entered the war and a post-war United Nations

11. The USA tried to stop Japanese aggression in Asia
To protect American territories and allies in the Pacific, FDR ordered an embargo on all iron and oil sales to Japan

12. Hideki Tojo sent an envoy to negotiate a resolution, but secretly plotted to attack the United States

13. On December 7, 1941 the Japanese military led a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

14. On December 7, 1941 the Japanese military led a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

15. After the Japanese attacks, Congress declared war on Japan
In addition to Hawaii, the Japanese attacked U.S. naval bases at Guam and Wake Island
After the Japanese attacks, Congress declared war on Japan

16. When America entered World War II, the U. S
When America entered World War II, the U.S. had to fight a two-front war in Europe and Asia…
Despite the attack by Japan, FDR viewed Germany as the immediate threat and began preparing for war

17. Comparing Days of Infamy
Using the provided documents, compare American reactions to the attack on Pearl Harbor to those of September 11, 2001.

18. September 11, 2001
Pearl Harbor

20. We wanted to stay out of Europe an Asia
But now, we all got a debt to pay
An it makes my blood boil in the vein
And they dropped them on Pearl Harbor
And I heard Mr. Roosevelt say
'Cause they made bombs and shells
We even sold the Japanese
I turned on my radio
Brass an scrap iron
Just like rain.
(Continued)
Out of it
“Pearl Harbor Blues” Written by Doctor Clayton (1942) December the seven Nineteen hundred and forty-one On December the seven The Japanese flew over Pearl Harbor Droppin' bombs by the ton The Japanese is so ungrateful Just like a stray dog on the street Yes, the Japanese is ungrateful Like a stray dog on the street Well, he'll bite the hand that feeds him Soon as he get enough to eat Some say the Japanese is hard fighters But any dummy ought to know Some said the Japanese is hard fighters Even a rattlesnake won't bite you in your back He will warn you before he strikes his blow

21. By Bruce Springsteen (2002)
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
I need you near but love and duty called you someplace higher
It was dark, too dark to see, you held me in the light you gave
You gave your love to see in fields of red and autumn brown
I heard you calling me then you disappeared into the dust
You gave your love to me and lay your young body down
Then walked into the darkness of your smoky grave
The sky was falling and streaked with blood
Somewhere up the stairs into the fire
May your strength give us strength
By Bruce Springsteen (2002)
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
Up the stairs, into the fire
May your love give us love
You lay your hand on me
“Into the Fire”
Chorus: x2
Chorus x3
Chorus x4