1. Britain Fights on Alone
Britain then would stand alone against Nazi Germany.
Britain’s new Prime Minister, Winston Churchill warned British citizens to prepare for what lay ahead; urging the British to stand firm.

2. Britain Fights on Alone
German planes would pound London and other British cities during the Battle of Britain.
British fighters took to the air with a new invention, radar, detecting the approach of Nazi planes.

3. Britain Fights on Alone
The British would gun down nearly 2,000 Nazi planes.
Hitler gave up his plan for invading Britain by late 1940.
The Nazis, though still occupied most of Europe.

4. American Neutrality
After Hitler invaded Poland, Roosevelt announced the U.S. would remain neutral.
Roosevelt knew Americans sympathized with the Allies, but did not want to be drawn into the war. P.1

5. Supplying Arms to the Allies
Just after the war broke out, Roosevelt tried to change the Neutrality Acts.
Roosevelt made a move to repeal the law banning the sale of arms to warring nations, but was blocked by isolationists. P.6

6. Supplying Arms to the Allies
Roosevelt would win a compromise under a cash and carry plan.
The allies had to pay cash for their weapons and carry them off in their own ships.

7. Supplying Arms to the Allies
By 1940, German submarines were sinking British ships along with tons of supplies.
Churchill asked Roosevelt for ships
Roosevelt agreed and gave him 50 old American destroyers.

8. Supplying Arms to the Allies
In exchange Britain would give the U.S. 99 year leases on military bases in Newfoundland and the Caribbean.

9. Preparing for War The U.S. began taking steps preparing for war.
Congress approved more spending for the Army and Navy.
In Sept congress passed a law that would set up the first peacetime draft.

10. Preparing for War
Isolationists opposed these moves, especially aid for Britain.
Most Americans thought the U.S. had no choice; If Britain fell Hitler could control all of the Atlantic.

11. Third Term for FDR
The threat of war convinced Roosevelt to run for a third term in 1940.
His decision to do so broke a precedent set by George Washington of serving only 2 terms.

12. Third Term for FDR
Republicans would run Wendell Wilkie against Roosevelt, but Roosevelt would have a clear victory on election night.