1. Nadia Nat Elaine Linnette
USA and WWII (1939 to 1945)
Nadia
Nat
Elaine
Linnette

2. Joining WW2
Joined WW2 after attack of Pearl Habour by Japan on 7 December, 1941
Joined the Allies
Declaration by United Nations on 1 January officially united 26 nations as Allies
USA, UK and Soviet Union – main powers of Allies

3. LEADERS USA’s one and only leader:
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, president of the United States of America ( )
Initially followed a very strong political demand to remain neutral and isolate the country from foreign wars
Realized Nazi aggression was a global threat and total opposite to the values of democracy and freedom
Declared that the US will become the "arsenal of democracy”
When German expansion and attacks on British shipping to the US increased
Declared a state of national emergency
Realistically assumed that US forces will eventually have to participate in fighting against Nazi Germany. When Germany invaded Russia, he extended the military aid to Russia too,

4. LEADERS
Japan surprise attacked the US naval and air bases in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in December 7, 1941
Only an attack on the US could persuade the American public to go to war.
Ended American isolationism
The US joined the war and allied with Britain and Russia to defeat the aggressors Axis of Nazi Germany, militarist Japan, and Fascist Italy
President Roosevelt died in April 1945, shortly before the end of the war
Succeeded by vice president Harry S. Truman

5. Foreign Policy (before WW2)
Practiced a policy of isolationism
A national policy of abstaining from political or economic relations with other countries
International relations conducted only for the benefit of US interests and security
Focus on:
Rebuilding economy after the Great Depression
Strengthening areas of finance, industry and resources
US produced :
419 million tons of coal, 43 million tons of steel, and 166 million tons of oil, greater than those of Britain, Russia, and Germany
32% of world’s manufactured goods
1938
Per capita income in the US was over $400

6. Foreign Policy (during WW2)
Policy moved away from isolationism towards internationalism
Initial years of war
All international actions were in support of American defense and the protection of the American nation
Sept 1939
Neutrality Acts were revised, allowing for the sale of military materials
[Neutrality Acts: A series of acts passed to limit US involvement in possible future wars]
1940
Increase in US defense spending and of aid to the British
1941
Passing of the Lend-Lease Act, which allowed the US to aid the British war effort materially with virtually no limits-lie to American public that America was only lending and not giving or selling
Aug 1941
Signing of Atlantic Charter with Britain, calling for ‘final destruction of Nazi tyranny’, becoming a formal ally of Britain and the Soviet Union

7. Motivations to Join WW2 Events leading up to war in Europe:
1938 Germany taking over Austria, Sudetenland
1939 Nazi-Soviet Pact, invasion of Poland, British & France declare war on Germany (30 Sept)
Roosevelt maintained USA’s isolationist policy although he wanted to help the Allies during the late 1930s.
But allowed the sale of arms to Allies on a “cash and carry” basis

8. Motivations to Join WW2
Hitler’s expansion – Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, France ( )
Led to America getting nervous, started to build up military

9. Motivations to Join WW2
USA’s final break in isolationism - no longer neutral
1941 Lend Lease Act - whereby USA was allowed to "sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of, to any such government....any defence article.“
Roosevelt could direct aid to whoever he wanted
1941 Atlantic Charter (14 Aug) – agreement between Roosevelt and Churchill for a post WW2 world.
NOTE: USA had not even joined the war yet
First significant step towards UN
Perceived by Axis powers as start of US-British alliance
Pledged no support for war in Europe but USA seen as major power

10. Motivations to Join WW2 Conflict with Japan
Japan’s invasion of countries in Western Pacific that were under the sphere of influence of USA threatened USA
July 1939 Roosevelt decided that US would no longer trade oil and steel to Japan who needed such materials for war against China
July 1941 Germany Japan Italy Axis formed
US reacted by freezing all Japan’s assets in US
7 Dec 1941 Japan’s attack on Pearl Habour – 2000 killed, damaged 8 battleships  direct attack on navy and airforce

11. Motivations to Join WW2 8 Dec 1941 USA declares WAR on Japan
11 Dec 1941 Germany declares war on USA with Italy due to their Tripartite Pact with Japan
How did entry of US change the dynamics of this particular global conflict?
Most important British contribution was hanging on until the US joined the war?