Chapter 26 Section 3 : War Breaks Out

The Response to Fascism Spread into Europe and Asia causes a stir in international politics Shift in U.S. – Soviet relations: Soviets mend ties with U.S. : U.S. formally recognizes the Soviet Union Fascists powers formalize their ties – Germany & Italy form Axis Powers Munich Conference – 1938, France, Britain, Italy, Germany leaders signed pact giving Germany control of Sudetenland, adopted the policy of appeasement Appeasement – giving into demands in an attempt to avoid larger conflict

The Response to Fascism European nations speed up rearmament Winston Churchill feared the appeasement would encourage Hitler to expand U.S. congress passes neutrality laws Prohibit the shipment of U.S. munitions to warring nations Require warring nations that buy goods from the U.S. to transport using their own ships

4 Responses to Fascism Responses Soviets and U.S. mend ties European leaders adopt appeasement policy European nations speed up rearmament U.S. congress passes neutrality laws

War! Fighting Begins Britain and France announce they will go to war if Germany attacks Poland Tried to get Soviet Union support, instead Joseph Stalin signed a nonaggression pact with Hitler in 1939 Secretly wanted to divide Poland between them Sept. 1, 1939 German troops move into Poland, two days later Britain and France (Allied Powers) declare war on Germany

U.S. Response to War Major issue in 1940 election : Roosevelt and Willkie – both promised to keep U.S. out of conflict Roosevelt wins election – sees U.S. involvement unavoidable

Lend-Lease Act U.S. supplying Britain with war materials – Britain could not afford Lend-Lease Act – 1941, U.S. lend or lease arms and supplies to the allies Appropriated $7 billion for ships, tanks, planes, etc.

“Blitzkrieg” Blitzkrieg – Hitler’s lightning war against Poland French troops mobilized and engaged at the Maginot Line with Germany -Maginot Line – a line of defenses along the French boarder with Germany 1940, Winston Churchill becomes Britain's prime minister

Tensions Mount in Atlantic Atlantic Charter – 1941, Roosevelt and Churchill pledge to not pursue territorial expansion Every nation has right to declare own government Freedom of international trade When war ends, aggressor states should be disarmed and all nations work towards peace

Japan Attacks – “A date which will live in infamy” Japan vs. U.S. – both froze assets and U.S. approved embargo on shipments of gas, tools, iron, and steel to Japan. December 7, 1941 – 17 days after peace conference Japan attacked Pearl Harbor 20 warships, 200 U.S. planes were destroyed 2,400 Americans killed 1,103 sailors entombed on the USS Arizona when it sank Congress approves call for war