World War II World War II From Isolation to Involvement

As war erupted in Europe, Americans debated what stance the United States should take on the global conflict. Charles A. Lindberg, the popular aviation hero, felt strongly that it would be a mistake for the United States to enter the new war in Europe “We must band together to prevent the loss of more American lives in these internal struggles of Europe…Modern war with all its consequences is too tragic and too devastating to be approached from anything but a purely American standpoint. We should never enter a war unless it is absolutely essential to the future welfare of our nation…Our safety does not lie in fighting European wars. It lies in our own internal strength, in the character of the American people and of America institutions.” Sept. 15, 1939

Roosevelt opposes Aggression Unrestrained Japanese violence shocked Americans FDR lamented the “reign of terror and International lawlessness”, the bombing of civilian populations, and the horrible acts of cruelty. He warned that no part of the world was “truly isolated” from the rest Roosevelt’s solution involved an informal alliance of peace-loving nations, but did not suggest what steps to take in quarantining the aggressive ones. Read Roosevelt’s Quarantine speech

War Erupts in Europe Appeasement failed 1939-Hitler absorbed Czechoslovakia France/Britain-acting proactively signed an alliance with Poland Germany-more worried about the Soviet Union signed the Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact-publically promising not to attack one another

Hitler launches a Blitzkrieg against Poland Sept. 1, 1939-a massive German blitzkrieg hit Poland from 3 directions Blitzkrieg means “lightening war” Uses speed and power to penetrate deep into enemy territory Coordinated assault by tanks and planes Followed by motorized vehicles and infantry Sept 17, Soviets attacked Poland from the East A devastated Poland fell

France falls to the Axis powers Germany, Italy, Japan Allies Britain, France and eventually many other nations including the Soviet Union & the United States April 1940, Germany attacked Denmark & Norway May-Netherlands, Belgium & Luxembourg Next site -- France Germans took Paris and made them surrender in the same car used for the German surrender in 1918

The Battle of Britain is Fought in the Air Germans bombed civilian targets (houses, churches, factories Month long campaign which came to be known as the blitz Brit’s held on, and Hitler made a tactical decision to postpone the invasion France had fallen in 35 days Churchill had no intention of continuing the policy of appeasement He readied his nation for battle “Operation Sea Lion” was under way Luftwaffe was to destroy the British Royal Air Force Began July 1940 British lost 1000 planes/Germans lost 1700

Americans Debate Involvement America Favors Isolation FDR shared Churchill’s concerns Majority of Americans opposed going to war Great Depression WWI had been a mistake Conspiracy Theory Big business conspired in order to make money on weapon making Congress passed the Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, and 1937 Imposed restrictions on Americans during times of war EX: Americans were prohibited from sailing on ships owned by nations at war Americans could not make loans to beligerents selling arms and munitions Churchill fiqured the fight against Nazi aggression was more than simply a European struggle.

Interventionist Urge Support for the Allies Neutrality Act of 1939 Included a cash and carry provision Allowed belligerent nations to buy good and arms in the United States if they paid cash and carried the merchandise on their own ships Britain controlled the seas FDR-pro-Ally position Committee to Defend American by Aiding the Allies Britain was fighting for free countries everywhere

Isolationist Argue for Neutrality Giving aid to the Allies automatically harmed the Axis, and would culminate in war Only way to keep America safe was to follow a policy of neutrality America First Committee Held rallies criticizing FDR’s openly pro-British policy Charles Lindberg became the leading isolationist voice He believed Japan and the Soviet Union were the true American threats

Roosevelt Inches towards Involvement After the Tripartite Pact Congress passed the Selective Service Act Gave Britain 50 WWI battleships n exchange for 8 British defense bases America’s response Elected FDR for a third term

America takes steps toward war Lend Lease Act to send any aid necessary in the interest of defending the U.S. By 1945-$40 billion Atlantic Charter Between US & Britain Document endorsing national self-determination International system of “general security” U.S. Battles German U-boats Roosevelt gave orders to attack German U-boats on site Once reelected FDR increased his support of Britain US was escorting arms shipments to Iceland where the British picked them up and brought them to England By the fall of 1941, Germany ordered U-boats to attack American ships Shot at the USS Greer, Hit the USS Kearny, Sunk the USS Reuben James, killing more than 100 sailors