1. America Gets Involved  FDR spoke out against the aggression of Japan, Italy, and Germany during the 1930s  Many Americans favored a position of isolationism- why? Great Depression needed to be handled Entering WWI was a mistake Conspiracy theories that big business pulled the US into WWI

2. America Gets Involved  Isolationists: US should avoid alliances with other nations Americans should focus on local issues (Depression) The US would be safe if it remained neutral WWI and other foreign wars were a mistake  Interventionists: US should work with other nations to promote collective security American interests were being threatened by Germany, Japan Britain and France were fighting for democracy and freedom Put pressure on Germany and Japan and prepare for War

3. America Gets Involved  Neutrality Acts were passed to keep the US from joining the inevitable war  Neutrality Act of 1939 had provisions that only benefitted the Allied countries  Radio broadcasts from London during the blitz gave Americans a view of what it was like for the people of Britain that were being attacked

4. America Gets Involved  Germany, Italy, and Japan signed the Tripartite Pact in Sept, 1940, officially becoming Allies (Axis Powers)  Decision was made by the United States to prepare to defend itself…

5. America Gets Involved  Lend-Lease Act: Britain needed war aid, but had run out of money to pay for it Congress passed the Act in 1941 Act allowed the President to give military aid to any country whenever it was “necessary in the interests of the defense of the United States”

6. America Gets Involved  Atlantic Charter- Roosevelt secretly met British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on a warship off the coast of Newfoundland Agreed that post-war Europe would embrace national self-determination and an international system of “general security”

7. America Enters the War  Tensions had existed between the US and Japan following WWI America had a strong presence in Japan’s sphere of influence (Guam and Philippines) America supported Japan’s enemy, China US set up a trade embargo to prevent Japanese expansion (failed) Japan entered into alliance with Germany and Italy, which led to stronger embargo

8. America Enters the War  General Hideki Tojo (new prime minister of Japan) sought to strengthen his military, while keeping the US neutral  Peace talks failed during 1940-194- Tojo decided to take action on the US

9. America Enters the War  Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor Site of the major naval base for the US in the Pacific Ocean Tojo ordered a surprise attack- one that would destroy the American military presence in the Pacific Attack was a success- destroying battleships, destroyers, and hundreds of aircraft Nearly 2,500 Americans were killed

10. America Enters the War  Soviet Union had joined the Allies in June 1941- Americans were concerned about being on the same side  Attack by Japan changed that- Congress voted 388-1 to declare war on Japan  Honoring their alliance, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States