Chapter 16: World War Looms Section 4: America Moves Toward War

Standards 11.7 Students analyze America's participation in World War II. .1 Examine the origins of American involvement in the war, with an emphasis on the events that precipitated the attack on Pearl Harbor. .4 Analyze Roosevelt's foreign policy during World War II (e.g., Four Freedoms speech). .6 Describe major developments in aviation, weaponry, communication, and medicine and the war's impact on the location of American industry and use of resources.

Objectives Following lecture and reading of this section, students will be able to: Describe the response of the United States to the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939 Show how Roosevelt assisted the Allies without declaring war Summarize the events that brought the United States into armed conflict with Germany Characterize the American Response to the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

Moving Cautiously Away from Neutrality 1939, FDR persuaded Congress to pass “cash-and-carry” provision to the Neutrality Acts U.S. could sell arms to any nation willing to pay cash and come to U.S. to get arms This prevented the U.S. from being : owed $ (like the British owed us after WWI) Open to any countries thinking we are taking stuff to enemies FDR argued that helping France & Britain defeat Hitler was the best way to keep U.S. out of war

The Axis Threat 1940, FDR tried to provide Britain “all aid short of war” France had already fallen and Britain was losing… U.S. sent Britain 500,000 rifles & 80,000 machine guns Germany, Japan, Italy signed Tripartite Pact, a mutual defense treaty, in 1940 Became known as Axis Powers The pact aimed at keeping U.S. out of war by forcing fight on two oceans Germany in the East (Atlantic) Japan in the West (Pacific)

Building U.S. Defenses Nazi victories in 1940 lead to increased U.S. defense spending Congress passed the first ever peacetime draft Selective Training and Service Act: Draftees to serve for 1 year in Western Hemisphere only 16 million registered 1 million drafted

Roosevelt Runs for a Third Term FDR breaks two-term tradition, runs for reelection FDR’s opponent, Republican Wendell Willkie, has similar views on war FDR reelected with 55% of votes FDR & Willkie very similar Americans went with the guy they already knew

The Lend-Lease Plan FDR explained to the nation that if Britain falls, Axis powers would be free to conquer world U.S. must become “arsenal of democracy” By late 1940, Britain has no more cash to buy U.S. arms If Britain could not get arms they would be overtaken 1941 Lend-Lease Act U.S. to lend or lease supplies to any country whose defense was vital to the U.S.

Supporting Stalin 1941, Hitler breaks pact with Stalin and invaded the Soviet Union Roosevelt sent lend-lease supplies to Soviet Union “The enemy of my enemy, is my friend” Many were unhappy with supporting Stalin and his Communist government

German Wolf Packs Hitler deployed U-boats, in wolf packs, to attack supply convoys and sink supply ships Wolf packs-groups of up to 40 submarines patrol North Atlantic The convoys were carrying lend-lease shipments to Britain and the USSR FDR allowed the navy to attack German U-boats in self-defense Germans winning at first but U.S. won in the end

The Atlantic Charter FDR’s support begins to drop to 50% FDR & Churchill issue Atlantic Charter—joint declaration of war aims Why they are fighting What they want to accomplish Charter is basis of “A Declaration of the United Nations” or Allies Allies-nations that fight Axis powers; 26 nations sign Declaration [Visual]

Shoot on Sight Germans fired on U.S. ship FDR ordered navy to shoot U-boats on sight Pink Star (merchant) and the Kearny & Greer (Navy) were fired upon and sunk by America had been attacked by Germany U-boat attacks lead Senate to repeal ban on arming merchant ships

Japan’s Ambitions in the Pacific Japan tried to take advantage of the fact that Britain & France were involved in war with Germany Japan seized French bases in Indochina; U.S. cuts off trade Hideki Tojo-chief of staff of army that invades China, prime minister The U.S. cutoff trade with Japan because of its agression in SE Asia Japan needed oil from the U.S. or must take Dutch East Indies oil fields This began the conflict between U.S. and Japan

Peace Talks are Questioned 1941 U.S. breaks Japanese codes Learned Japan planning to attack U.S. Peace talks with Japan last about 1 month No progress was ever made toward peace with Japan December 6, 1941 Japanese peace envoy was instructed to reject all U.S. proposals Message was intercepted U.S. new an attack would come, but did not know where

The Attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 Japanese attack Pearl Harbor 2,403 Americans killed; 1,178 wounded Over 300 aircraft, 21 ships destroyed or damaged 3 carriers were at sea during the attack Reaction to Pearl Harbor Congress approved FDR’s request for declaration of war against Japan Germany & Italy declare war on U.S. The U.S. is unprepared to fight in both Atlantic & Pacific Oceans

FDR's Speech