1. MT:6 American participation in WW2
Learning Targets:
#1-Describe the events that caused/led the USA to join WW2.
#2- Explain Roosevelt’s foreign policy during WW2.

2. Vocab
Isolationism- When a nation choose to not become involved with the issues of other nations.
-Nations don’t form alliances.
-Nations remain alone.
Neutrality Laws – Laws created to keep the USA neutral before and during WW2

3. Americans want neutrality
After WW1, many Americans wanted the USA to become isolationist again/have a foreign policy of isolationism.
Isolationism is a foreign policy that a nation chooses to not get involved in the issues of other nations
To keep America out of other nations issues congress passed Neutrality laws
Neutrality Act of 1935: America could not sell arms (weapons) to any country at war
Neutrality Act of 1936: Above law and America could not sell arms to countries in a civil war (fighting each other)

4. President Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy
President Roosevelt was not an isolationist, but he knew the American public supported isolationism however he still wanted to help other nations who were in need.
In 1937 Japan invades China, Roosevelt ignored the Neutrality act and sold weapons to China
France and Britain declare war on Germany Sept. 3, 1939 (start of WW2)
Roosevelt officially announces the USA is neutral two days after the war started
Roosevelt asked congress to redo the neutrality act
Neutrality Act of 1939 (nicknamed CASH AND CARRY): If countries at war wanted to buy stuff from USA they had to pay in cash and use their own ships to transport
This law would let the USA support England but the USA would not loose ships or money
Roosevelt found a loophole in the Neutrality act to help Britain who’s ships were all fighting in the war- nicknamed Destroyer's for Bases
He loaned Britain 50 ships/destroyers in exchange England gave America navy/army bases on British colonies = no $$ exchanged

5. USA extends more aid/help
By 1940, Britain had run out of money to keep fighting in the war
Britain (England) was the only real nation fighting Germany
Roosevelt again helps by asking congress to pass a new law-
Lend-Lease Act: The USA could rent out weapons to Britain. Rent was to be paid after the war ended.
USA is supporting Allies but not involved in the war

6. America joins World War II
Japan was not happy with the USA
The USA was not selling Japan jet fuel
The USA was selling weapons to China (Japan was fighting China)
Japan was in an alliance with Germany and the USA was “giving” weapons to nations fighting Germany
One December 7, 1941, Japan surprised the USA by bombing Pearl harbor, Hawaii
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7. Questions What is isolationism?
What laws were passed to keep the USA neutral?
How was the neutrality act of 1939 different from the two previous neutrality acts?
What was the nick name for the act of 1939?
What did the USA do to gain navy/army bases in English colonies for free? What was it’s nickname?
What was the lend lease act?
List all the ways the USA/Roosevelt was helping nations who were fighting in WW2?
What event pulled the USA into WW2?