From Isolation to Involvement

How did the U.S. initially feel about getting involved in World War I? Review How did the U.S. initially feel about getting involved in World War I? How might this view impact World War II? What aspects of the Treaty of Paris did Hitler ignore or purposefully violate?

Roosevelt Opposes Aggression Roosevelt condemned the Japanese attacks on China and civilian populations Believed an informal alliance of peace loving nations was necessary but did not suggest how to quarantine the aggressive ones Speech was criticized but alerted Americans of the potential threat of Japan

War Erupts in Europe France and Britain’s efforts to appease Hitler did not stop Hitler’s expansion After Hitler took Czechoslovakia into his Reich, Britain and France vowed consequences if he acted again Britain and France signed an alliance with Poland, guaranteeing aid if Hitler attacks

Nazi-Soviet Nonagression Pact Hitler was more concerned about war with the Soviet Union He did not want to fight a war on two-fronts Signed the Nazi-Soviet Nonagression Pact in August 1939 Publically promised not to attack each other Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939 Launched a massive blitzkrieg (sudden attack) from three directions

Blitzkrieg-Lightning War New style of warfare that emphasizes the use of speed and firepower to penetrate deep into the enemy’s territory New technologies made it very effective Coordinated assault by tanks, planes, motorized vehicles, infantry Germany broke through Poland’s defenses September 17 the Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east

Alliances Axis Powers Germany, Italy, Japan (and others) Allies Britain, France Eventually Soviet Union, U.S., and China “Phony War”- after the Polish campaign, an 8 month period of relative quiet

Other countries fall to Hitler Spring 1940 Hitler moves West to Norway and Denmark Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg Fall almost immediately

France falls to Hitler Prepared for Hitler by creating the Maginot Line Interconnected series of fortresses located on the border of France and Germany May 1940 German tanks rolled through the Ardennes A hilly, forested area believed to be invasion proof German plan almost worked but the British and French were able to remove their troops from the port at Dunkirk Germans were still able to take Paris and forced the French to surrender Occupied France- large Northern area controlled by the Germans Vichy (Unoccupied) France- small southern section administered by the French (collaborated with Nazis)

The Battle of Britain- An air battle After the fall of France, Germany turns to Britain After Dunkirk, Winston Churchill abandoned appeasement Germany’s air force (Luftwaffe) depended on destroying the British Royal Air Force and gaining control of the sky Germany bombed civilian as well as military targets Destroyed houses, factories, and churches “the blitz”- month long bombing of London Ultimately Britain held on and Hitler postponed the invasion of Britain indefinitely

Americans Debate Involvement At the beginning of the war, many Americans favored isolation Great Depression forced Americans to focus on domestic affairs Believed WWI was a deadly, expensive mistake Nye Committee- researched whether big business conspired to enter WWI to make fortunes selling weapons Lacked hard evidence but suggested bankers and manufacturers had pulled the U.S. into war Further reinforced isolationist sentiments

Imposed certain restrictions on Americans during times of war Neutrality Acts 1935, 1936, 1937 Imposed certain restrictions on Americans during times of war Forbidden from sailing on ships owned by nations at war Forbidden to make loans or sell weapons and arms

FDR wanted to aid the Democratic nations Neutrality Act of 1939 FDR wanted to aid the Democratic nations This act included a cash-and-carry provision Allowed belligerent nation to buy goods and arms in the U.S. if they paid cash and carried them to their own ships The British navy controlled the seas so the provision aided the allies Americans still debated neutrality and FDR’s openly pro-Allies position

1940- Roosevelt is reelected to a third term Inching toward War September 1940- Germany, Italy, Japan signed the Tripartite Pact to become allies Congress passed the Selective Service Act, a peacetime draft, provided military training to troops and reserve troops 1940- Roosevelt is reelected to a third term Once he is safely reelected, he increases his support of Britain

Roosevelt gave his “Four Freedoms” speech in January 1941 Spoke of freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear Announced they were threatened by Nazi and Japanese militarism Best way to stay out of conflict was to aid Britain

An economic declaration of war against Germany and the Axis powers Lend-Lease Act Roosevelt called for America to become the “great arsenal from democracy” Lend-Lease act authorized Roosevelt to “sell, transfer title to , exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of, to any such government any defense article” whenever he thought “necessary in the interest of the defense of the United States” An economic declaration of war against Germany and the Axis powers

Atlantic Charter August 1941, Prime minister Churchill and Roosevelt secretly met on a warship to discuss Britain's problems in the war and hopes for the world after Hitler’s defeat The men signed the Atlantic Charter- a document that endorsed national self-determination and an international system of “general security”

U.S. Navy Battles German U-Boats Hitler noticed the deepening alliance between U.S. and Britain and the transfer of arms via ship Fall 1941 Hitler orders German U-Boats (submarines) to attack American Ships The attacks shocked and angered Americans and moved them closer to declaring war on Germany Roosevelt ordered attacks on U-Boats June 1941- Germany had gone to war with the Soviet Union By November, war against the U.S. seemed inevitable