World War II: The Home Front

Essential Questions How did America initially respond to the events leading to WWII? How did the war change the American home front, both culturally and socially? How did the war transform the U.S. economy both immediately and in the long term? How did the war affect minority groups during the period? What effect did the war have on American industry? How did the war unify America in a common purpose?

“The Arsenal of Democracy” America “officially neutral” as European war began FDR increased military production and skirted Neutrality Acts after Nazi victories FDR ran for third term Lend-Lease Act passed U.S. embargoed oil and scrap-iron sales to Japan

The Election of 1940 In this map of electoral results, FDR is indicated in green, Willkie in red FDR won unprecedented third term Defeated Willkie Both candidates considered “internationalists”

The America First Committee Formed in 1940 An estimated 800,000 members at its height Most prominent member was Charles Lindbergh Advocated building up U.S. defenses and staying out of Europe’s problems Dissolved four days after Pearl Harbor Charles Lindbergh speaking at an America First rally

FDR’s “Four Freedoms” An excerpt from the speech FDR’s 1941 State of the Union address Early in his third term Equated aid to Britain with protecting universal freedoms

From the “Four Freedoms” Speech “In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his way— everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants—everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a worldwide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world.”

Selective Service Act of 1940 FDR signs the Selective Service Act into law First peacetime draft in U.S. All men aged 21–35 required to register; later 18–65 Required men picked for duty to serve 12 months Service in the U.S. or its possessions

Discussion Questions 1.What steps did FDR take toward making the U.S. the “Arsenal of Democracy”? 2.What was the America First Committee? Who were some of its more famous members? Why did it disband? 3.How did FDR explain the need to provide aid to Britain in his “Four Freedoms” speech? Why do you think that FDR took this approach?

Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 Carrier-based Japanese planes bombed naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii More than 2400 Americans killed U.S. Pacific fleet temporarily crippled The USS Arizona burns during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor