Essential Question: How did the United States respond the Hitler’s aggression?

 Isolationism Belief that political ties with other countries should be avoided Focus on what is going on at home and not somewhere else  American Isolationism Following World War I, U.S. stayed out of European affairs America focused on solving issues at home like the Great Depression Most Americans did not want to get involved with World War II & supported isolationism

 American Isolationism America focused on solving issues at home like the Great Depression  Neutrality Acts (1930s) Neutral = stays out of war; does not choose sides or get involved Series of acts passed by Congress to keep U.S. uninvolved in WWII

When the President proclaimed the existence of a foreign war, certain restrictions would automatically go into effect: When the President proclaimed the existence of a foreign war, certain restrictions would automatically go into effect: Prohibited sales of arms to belligerent nations. Prohibited sales of arms to belligerent nations. Prohibited loans and credits to belligerent nations. Prohibited loans and credits to belligerent nations. Forbade Americans to travel on vessels of nations at war [in contrast to WW I]. Forbade Americans to travel on vessels of nations at war [in contrast to WW I]. Non-military goods must be purchased on a “cash-and- carry” basis  pay when goods are picked up. Non-military goods must be purchased on a “cash-and- carry” basis  pay when goods are picked up. Banned involvement in the Spanish Civil War. Banned involvement in the Spanish Civil War. This limited the options of the President in a crisis. This limited the options of the President in a crisis. America in the 1930s declined to build up its forces! America in the 1930s declined to build up its forces!

In response to Germany’s invasion of Poland. In response to Germany’s invasion of Poland. FDR persuades Congress in special session to allow the US to aid European democracies in a limited way: FDR persuades Congress in special session to allow the US to aid European democracies in a limited way: The US could sell weapons to the European democracies on a “cash-and-carry” basis. The US could sell weapons to the European democracies on a “cash-and-carry” basis. FDR was authorized to proclaim danger zones which US ships and citizens could not enter. FDR was authorized to proclaim danger zones which US ships and citizens could not enter. Results of the 1939 Neutrality Act: Results of the 1939 Neutrality Act: Aggressors could not send ships to buy US munitions. Aggressors could not send ships to buy US munitions. The US economy improved as European demands for war goods helped bring the country out of the recession. The US economy improved as European demands for war goods helped bring the country out of the recession. America becomes the “Arsenal of Democracy.” America becomes the “Arsenal of Democracy.”

 Lend-Lease Act (1941) Allowed President to lend/lease any supplies to any country he considered vital to the United States the country would NOT have to pay the United States back immediately United States contracted Lend-Lease agreements with 30+ countries, worth $50B By summer 1941, U.S. Navy escorted British ships carrying U.S. weapons

 Churchill and FDR met on a ship off Newfoundland coast August 9-12, 1941  A joint proclamation by the US and GB declaring that they were fighting the Axis powers to "ensure life, liberty, independence and religious freedom and to preserve the rights of man and justice."  Served as a foundation stone for the later establishment of the UN