13.4: America Moves Toward War

The United States enters WWII due to aggression in Europe and Asia

A. Moving away from Neutrality1. Neutrality Act of

1939– “cash and carry”

provisiona. can now buy

weapons

2. Destroyers for Bases

we give GB old destroyers, they let us have military bases in Caribbean

B. Isolationism

1. For and against isolationisma. Fight for Freedom Committee?b. America First Committee?c. Committee to Defend America by Aiding

the Allies?

C. Edging Towards War

1. Election of 19403rd Term for FDR

2. “Four Freedoms”a. Speechb. Worshipc. From Wantd. From fear

= democracy

D. “Arsenal of Democracy"1. Lend and Lease Act?

a. Which countries benefited?

b. Britain and Soviet Union

c. Both fighting Hitler

E. Hitler attacks Soviet Union

1. July 1942- Feb ‘432. Sends 3 million troops 3. Soviets use scorched-

earth policy4. 6 wks = 6 mos due to…

Nazis

Soviet Military

F. Planning for War

1. Atlantic Chartera. Support for a postwar environment: economy,

democracy, free trade

2. Germany sinks several US cargo ships = “shoot on sight policy by US “

3. only a matter of time before US enters war4. **************************************************

German Wolf Packs Groups of U-boats

sinking British cargo ships

• (these were US ships leased by Britain!)

• US Navy allowed to act in self defense

Hideki Tojo

F. Japan Attacks the U.S.

1. Japan’s goal to expand throughout 2. East Asia, to include pacific islands3. US responds to Japanese expansion

of China w/ oil embargo4. US deciphers military code re: attack

but have no details

G. December 7, 1941

1. Japanese warplanes launched from aircraft carriers; >180 planes

2. US damagea. 350 planesb. 18 shipsc. >3,500 casualties; 2400 dead

3. December 8th

– US declares war on Japan4. December 11th

– Germany & Italy declare war on US

http://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/pearl_harbor_slides/pearl_harbor_color.htm