Chapter 16 Section 4 Notes U.S. Moves Towards War

U.S. Neutral in Europe until Invasion of Poland Congress finally agrees to end neutrality Cash and Carry Policy (Sept. 1939) Countries at war (Eng. & Fra) can buy stuff from U.S. if they: pay cash provide own transportation This helped a bit didn’t prevent takeover of France still heavy damage to England Allied ships busy with Germans Hard time coming and getting supplies

Tripartite Pact (Sept. 1940) Germany, Italy, and Japan sign mutual defense treaty Become known as the Axis Powers If U.S. declared war on one of them, they’d be at war with all 3

U.S. begins prepping for possible war FDR gets Congress to increase defense spending a lot (Arsenal for Democracy) Selective Training and Service Act (1940) 1st peacetime draft ever Men between 21 – 35 yrs old registered Eventually changed to 18 – 45 yrs old. 10 million men drafted by 1947. Draft process described on my website

1940 Presidential Election FDR = Democrat Breaks tradition, runs for 3rd term Wendell Willkie = Republican Political outsider not in any office before Lawyer and Pres. of Largest Electric Comp. in U.S. Candidates similar on most issues FDR wins Closer election than FDR’s other 2 Still a blowout

1940 Election Results

U.S. changes Cash-Carry to Lend-Lease Britain has no more $ to buy supplies all ships devoted to its own protection U.S. changes to Lend – Lease (Mar. 1941) Loaned (credit) and shipped supplies to Britain Eventually extended this to Russia (June 1941) when Hitler broke his nonaggression pact. Some people opposed this big time U.S. helping communists? Not England: Churchill quote: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” Lend Lease shipments from 1941 to end of 1943; final totals by Sept. 1945 were much higher

German response to U.S. aid = sink ships Wolf Pack attacks Groups of German U-boats (subs) attacking supply ships Very successful at 1st Sank a bunch of ships U.S. ships allowed to retaliate (Sept. 1941) Shoot on Sight Policy Gradually improved ability to sink U-Boats over the next couple years Painting of a Wolf Pack attack on supply ships

Atlantic Charter (Aug. 1941) agreement between Churchill and FDR Met on a ship in middle of Ocean What was agreed on: collective security (protect each other) disarmament (get rid of weapons after war) self determination (people choose own gov) econ. cooperation (low tariffs, better trade) freedom of the seas led to formation of the United Nations 26 countries signed on to be Allies US, England, Soviet Union are main ones France , China, Canada, Australia, etc… FDR & Congress still didn’t declare war

Japan continues acquiring land in Asia Already controlled Manchuria (NE China and SE Russia) Parts of China’s coast U.S. not happy (sec. 1 notes) Hideki Tojo (Jap. Military leader… far right) Emperor Hirohito (overall leader, like a god) Both wanted more land took over French Indochina (July 1941) Modern Day Vietnam U.S. response = stop trade with Japan Biggest impact = no more oil for Japan Japan ticked off. Prepares to attack U.S. knows this broke codes doesn’t know when. FDR orders military on high alert Doesn’t want to act 1st though

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (December 7th, 1941)*** Japanese air force bombs largest U.S. naval base in Pacific Sneak attacks last around 2 hrs. 2,400 killed 1,200 wounded 21 military ships sunk or damaged 300 planes destroyed or damaged

Largest loss of life on U. S Largest loss of life on U.S. soil in a military related conflict between the end of the Civil War and September 11th (3000 deaths) U.S. declares war on Japan the next day (famous FDR speech) Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S. 3 days later (honor pact)