Origins of American Entry Into World War II

Pacific Front

Sept 1931 Japanese Action: Japan invades Manchuria How do you think the United States is going to respond? No Action

Nov. 1936 Japanese Action: Japan signs the Anti-Comintern Pact How do you think the United States is going to respond? Explanation: The agreement is an alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan to fight communism (Soviet Union) and to overthrow the international status quo No Formal Action Neutral War

July 1937 Japanese Action: War between Japan and China How do you think the United States is going to respond? Explanation FDR is sympathetic to China and lets them borrow money (bans weapons transport to China and Japan) Embargo strategic materials What is an Embargo? What are strategic materials? Neutral War

May 1938 Japanese Action: Japan gains offensives in China How do you think the United States is going to respond? The United States will send direct aid to China in October 1938 Embargo strategic materials

July 1941 Japanese Actions: Japan occupies Southern Indochina (French Vietnam) How do you think the United States is going to respond? Explanation: Japan is not allowed to purchase any American resources (No Oil to Japan!!!) Freeze Japanese assets Neutral War

Sep/Nov 1941 Japanese Action: Japan proposes the East Asia Settlement and the Modus Vivendi How do you think the United States is going to respond? America Rejects

Dec. 7th, 1941 Japanese Action: Japan bombs Pearl Harbor How do you think the United States is going to respond? Explanation: FDR gives his “Day of Infamy” Speech America declares war on Japan Pearl Harbor Neutral War

European Front

March 1935 No Action (appeasement) German Action: Hitler rejected The Treaty of Versailles What was the Treaty of Versailles? What part of the Treaty would upset the German people? How do you think America is going to respond? No Action (appeasement)

October 1935 Action: Italy Invades Ethiopia How do you think America is going to respond? What is neutrality? Invoke Neutrality Laws

March 1938 German Action: Germany annexes Austria How do you think America is going to respond? No Action (Appeasement)

March 1939 German Action: Germany occupies Czechoslovakia How would Germany justify occupying Czechoslovakia? How do you think America is going to respond? No Action (appeasement)

Oct. 1938 Expand armed forces German Action: Germany threatens to invade Poland How would Germany justify invading Poland? How do you think America is going to respond? Why would we do this? Expand armed forces

April 1939 Action: Italy invades Albania How do you think America is going to respond? No formal action (appeasement)

Sept. 1939 German Action: Germany invades Poland WWII Begins How do you think America is going to respond? Explanation: Ends weapons embargo US is aiding the Allies (Great Britain and France) American revise neutrality laws Neutral War

May 1940 German Action: Germany invades Low Countries (Belgium and the Netherlands) and France Germany is able to advance quickly to Paris How do you think America is going to respond? Explanation: Increased money for Army/Navy US institutes first peacetime draft in US history expand armed forces Neutral War

June 1940 Action: France surrenders How do you think America is going to respond? Explanation: Great Britain stands alone to face Hitler Lend/Lease agreement – we lease bases in Europe in return for destroyers send aid to allies Neutral War

June 1941 German Action: Germany invades Soviet Union How do you think America is going to respond? Explanation: Extend Lend-Lease agreement with Soviet Union send aide to allies Neutral War

Dec 1941 German Action: Germany and Italy declare war on US How do you think America is going to respond? Explanation: Pearl Harbor is attacked by Japan – the US declares war on Japan. In return Axis powers (Germany and Italy) declare war on the United States. The US joins the Allies. Declare War Neutral War