Early Course of the War and American Involvement Unit 6, Section 2 Early Course of the War and American Involvement

American Neutrality Following WWI, America tried to return to isolationism Bitterness towards “Merchants of Death” – blamed for US involvement in WWI 1935, Neutrality Acts passed to keep US from selling weapons to warring nations Good Neighbor Policy in Latin America – removed US troops 1937, Quarantine Speech by FDR – speaks out against dictators seizing territory

Blitzkrieg in Europe Germany invades Poland, September 1st, 1939 World War 2 begins – France and Britain declare war on Germany Germans use “Lightning warfare” – blitzkrieg, rapidly conquer Poland “Phony War” begins as France and Germany sit on respective lines, “Maginot Line”, and “Siegfried Line”

Soviet Expansion / Fall of France The Soviet Union under Stalin takes Eastern Poland, invades Finland Hitler invades the Netherlands and Belgium France falls, June, 1940 General Charles de Gaulle flees; sets up “Free French” government in exile British army narrowly escapes at Dunkirk

Battle of Britain After the surrender of France in summer of 1940, Britain stands alone against the Nazis. German air force attacks in the Battle of Britain from July – October, 1940 Because of the heroic actions of the RAF pilots and stubborn will of the British, Hitler gives up plan to invade England. Winston Churchill*, Prime Minister, holds country together – first time Nazis had been stopped *click for a short speech by Churchill

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10 things to know Battle of Britain

The Mediterranean and the East Giving up Britain, Hitler turns to other targets: The Mediterranean: Italians and British battle in Egypt for control of the Suez Canal British win early but Hitler sends in his Afrika Corps led by "The Desert Fox", Erwin Rommel 2

The Mediterranean and the East The fighting in the desert goes back and forth with Rommel in control by June of 1942 Germany turns East June 22, 1941 Germany attacks the Soviet Union Fatal mistake, Russian winter halts advance; war now on two fronts

America Prepares Roosevelt knows that if Allies lose, the US will probably have to deal with Hitler...begins to aid the Allies. 2 Policies: 1939 - "Cash and Carry"- The Allies can buy US weapons. They must pay cash and carry the weapons to England on their own boats. 1941 - "Lend Lease"- The president can lend or lease arms to any country vital to US security. “Arsenal of Democracy”

America Prepares Japan joins the Axis powers Selective Service Act – Begins draft process Roosevelt elected for 3rd Term in 1940 State of the Union, 1941, explains “Four Freedoms” US signs Atlantic Charter with Britain – alliance in principle between nations US navy and German U-boats fighting undeclared war in Atlantic

America and Japan 1930’s Japan invades China – fierce resistance backed by US and horrible atrocities US cuts off oil sales to Japan Japanese see US Navy as main threat to dominating Pacific – decide on pre-emptive attack December 7th, 1941, Japanese surprise attack on US naval base – Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Aftermath and Japanese Victories Japan sunk or damaged 19 ships and killed more than 2300 Americans. Enraged, Congress declares war on the Japanese... US Navy struggles to recover Early on, Japan rolled across the Pacific -Take Bataan in the Philippines, April of '42 American General MacArthur is forced to flee - vows "I Shall Return.“ Japanese Capture over 70,000 Americans and Filipino troops Force them on a brutal march where over 10,000 are killed including hundreds of Americans– “Bataan Death March.”

War Looks Bleak for the Allies 1942 – Russia has been invaded, the US Navy has been crippled, the British are bogged down in North Africa, and the Nazi flag flies over the Eiffel Tower. In the spring of '42, the war seemed very losable!

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