American Involvement in World War II

End of the Great Depression By 1939, the New Deal was over. Unemployment dropped from a high of 13 million in 1933 to a low of under 8 million in 1937 FDR was increasingly concerned with events in Europe, especially Hitler’s rise to power.

Europe in the 1930’s France and Britain made an alliance with Poland in case Hitler decided to attack them. Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact- Aug. 23, 1939. Agreed not to attack one another and to divide Poland and recognize each others territorial ambitions.

Germany invades Poland September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland. September 17, Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east. France and Britain declared war on Germany but did not help Poland. By the end of September Poland was defeated.

Hitler Launches a Blitzkrieg Against Poland Blitzkrieg means “LIGHTING WAR” The key to blitzkrieg is … SURPRISE! It is designed to attack many different targets with overwhelming numbers so as to simply devastate the enemy. 1. airplane raids 2. tanks 3. infantry

Axis Powers Germany Italy Japan Allies Britain France Soviet Union China United States

AXIS POWERS BY 1942

France Falls to Axis Powers April 9, 1940 Germany attacked Denmark and Norway May 10, 1940 Hitler sent forces into Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. These smaller nations did not stand a chance against Hitler’s powerful forces.

AMERICAN NEUTRALITY December 16, 1940: Do you think it was a mistake for the U.S. to enter the first World War? Yes: 39% No 42% No opinion 19% Neutral

NEUTRALITY ACTS 1935: prohibited arms shipments to all belligerent countries. 1936: forbid loans to all belligerents 1937: “Cash and Carry” principle: all nations must pay for nonmilitary purchases and ship the goods in their own vessels Neutral

NEUTRALITY ACTS 1939: prohibited Americans from traveling on ships of belligerent nations FDR responds to Fascist aggression in Europe by protecting democracies and preparing the US for war….. Neutral

Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis: The Tripartite Pact--Sept., 1940

Movement Toward War Selective Service Act- 1940 Provided 1.2 million troops trained and 800,000 reserve troops a year. FDR gave Britain 50 WWI battleships in exchange for 8 British defense bases. Britain needed the battleships to convoy goods across the Atlantic.

Lend Lease Gives Aid to Allies Lend-Lease Act 1940- Authorized FDR to sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of to any government when he thought it was in the best interest of his country.

Atlantic Charter Atlantic Charter- Document that endorsed national self –determination and an international system of general security. This happened in a meeting with FDR and Prime Minister of Britain Winston Churchill.

America Enters the War

Japan 1941- Hedeki Tojo became the Japanese Prime Minister. He concentrated on Japanese expansion and the U.S. was strongly against it.

Why did the Japanese Attack Us? US and Japan had negotiated several treaties to respect each other territorial possessions. Japan had ignored the treaties and were threatening US island possessions and the Open Door Policy in China. Invaded China in 1937 and started WWII in Asia. US had placed an embargo on war goods so that Japan could not purchase them.

DAY OF INFAMY Approximately 100 ships of the U.S. Navy were present that morning, consisting of battleships, destroyers, cruisers and various support ships. USS Arizona (BB39) Battleship USS West Virginia (BB48) Battleship USS California (BB44) Battleship USS Oklahoma (BB37) Battleship USS Nevada (BB36) Battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB38) Battleship USS Tennessee (BB43) Battleship USS Maryland (BB46) Battleship USS Vestal (AR4) Repair ship USS Neosho (AO23) Oiler USS Detroit (CL8) Light cruiser USS Raleigh (CL7) Light cruiser USS Utah (AG16) Target Ship USS Tangier (AV8) Seaplane Tender

DAY OF INFAMY Infamy7

FDR signed the declaration of war against Japan on Dec. 8, 1941 After FDR’s Day of Infamy speech asking for a declaration of war against Japan, Congress approved the declaration…. FDR signed the declaration of war against Japan on Dec. 8, 1941

WAR POSTERS posters

Responding to the Call From 1941-42 the army alone grew from 1.4 million to 3 million. There were also increases in the Navy and the Marines. Native Americans, African Americans and Mexican Americans joined forces as well. Women’s Army Corps (WAC)- Provided clerical workers, truck drivers, instructors and lab technicians for the Army.