1. Chapter 16, Section 2: Things To Know What is a blitzkrieg? Who was Winston Churchill? The Neutrality Act of 1939 allowed nations at war to buy arms and war supplies from the US but each country had to do what with them? What did interventionists claim the US could do to avoid war? Who appeared to be winning the war in Europe at the end of 1940? Why did FDR deliver his “Four Freedoms” speech to Congress in January 1941? What was perceived as being equivalent to declaring economic war against the Axis Powers? What was the Lend-Lease Act? What did the Atlantic Charter do?

2. Chapter 16: The Coming of War Section 2: From Isolation to Involvement

3. Why It Matters While Britain and France appeased the dictator in Germany at Munich, American President Franklin Roosevelt condemned aggression in Asia but did little to stop it. As war exploded in Europe, it became increasingly difficult for the US to maintain its neutrality. Once again, Americans would have to decide what role they were willing to play in shaping world events.

4. Things To Know What is a blitzkrieg? – It means “lightning war” or sudden attack. It refers to the German attack on Poland from three different directions. Who was Winston Churchill? – He was the British leader who said that the Nazi aggression threatened all democracies. He served as Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. He was a great speaker which made him a great inspiration to the British people and Allied forces.

5. Things To Know The Neutrality Act of 1939 allowed nations at war to buy arms and war supplies from the US but each country had to do what with them? – Each country had to pay cash for them and transport the materials themselves. The US was not going to worry about transporting them and losing US ships as they did during WWI. What did interventionists claim the US could do to avoid war? – Send aid to Britain. Aid in materials and goods, not troops.

6. Things To Know Who appeared to be winning the war in Europe at the end of 1940? – Germany, Italy, and Japan (members of the Tripartite Pact). Why did FDR deliver his “Four Freedoms” speech to Congress in January 1941? – To increase economic support of Britain. It stated that the four freedoms – freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear – were being threatened by Nazi and Japanese militarism.

7. Things To Know What was perceived as being equivalent to declaring economic war against the Axis Powers? – The Lend-Lease Act. What was the Lend-Lease Act? – Basically, it allowed FDR to provide any type of economic aid to Britain and the Allies, regardless of their ability to repay.

8. Things To Know What did the Atlantic Charter do? – It was a document that strengthened the alliance between the US and Britain. It signaled the deepening alliance between the two nations.