Focus Question: How did the U. S Focus Question: How did the U.S. gradually get involved in World War II in the late-1930s and early-1940s? Do Now: (on handout) 1. What does it mean to be neutral in a conflict? What would a foreign policy of neutrality look like? 2. What does it mean that the U.S. “gradually got involved” in WWII? Place the sentences on your handout in a logical order to make a paragraph.

The US is selling weapons to its allies, including Great Britain. The US is neutral. It is deciding whether to help its friend (Great Britain). The US is selling weapons to countries that are not fighting. The US is delivering weapons to Great Britain. C  B  A  D

WW II: the US began as neutral, but slowly got more involved: Neutrality Acts (1935-1938): US declared strict neutrality, but it began to sell weapons to “non-belligerent” countries. “Cash and Carry” (1939): The US sold weapons to Great Britain, but only if they paid cash and picked up the weapons themselves. Lend-Lease Act (1941): The US delivered weapons to Britain at no cost. Pearl Harbor (1941): Japan attacked US military base in Hawaii; US enters war.