The Road to War The United States and its journey from neutrality to entry into World War II
Reasons for Neutrality European countries default on war debt Don’t want to be in a War! Nye Report- arms profits pushed us into war Senator Gerald Nye
Neutrality Acts of 1935 and 1937 Neutrality Act of Prohibits the selling of weapons to any country at war. Neutrality Act of 1937 – waring countries only buy supplies with “cash and carry.” “Cash and carry” - Goods must be paid for in cash and the buyer must send its own ships
Roosevelt and Neutrality Internationalism: –the belief that trade creates prosperity and helps to prevent war Neutrality Acts “might drag us into war instead of keeping us out” but he does not veto them. US should not stand by as an “epidemic of lawlessness” sweeps the world and that “there is no escape through mere isolation or neutrality… “
Neutrality softens… Neutrality Act of revises the ‘35 Neutrality allowing arms to be sold to warring countries on “cash and carry.” Destroyers for Bases: Britain had lost nearly half of its destroyers needed to protect British shipping sent 50 old American destroyers In exchange: American bases in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Newfoundland.
Varying Opinions about Neutrality Fight for Freedom Committee - repeal of neutrality laws and armed intervention Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies - increase American aid to allies but not armed intervention America First Committee - Staunchly isolationist group that opposed any aid to the allies. Members included Gerald Nye and Charles Lindbergh.
The Election of 1940 Franklin Roosevelt vs. Wendell Willkie Both promise to assist the allies but stay out of the war Roosevelt wins by a wide margin (public opinion?) Why was it a big deal that he was elected for a third (and later 4 th ) term? Why did some people think this was a bad idea? Do you think he should have stepped down?
Lend-Lease Act Lend or lease arms to any country considered “vital to the defense of the United States.” (At first this applies only to Great Britain) United States: “the great arsenal of democracy.” Hitler broke Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact and invaded USSR (Sept ’41) The enemy of our enemy is our friend- even though we hate communism… USSR also gets lend-lease aid after being invaded by Germany.
Increasing Tensions with Germany German submarines were sinking British ships rapidly. Roosevelt protects British shipping with a Hemispheric Defense Zone – –U.S. navy patrols the western Atlantic and reveals the location of German submarines to the British. Atlantic Charter Roosevelt and Churchill meet on warships and commit to a postwar world of democracy, nonaggression, free trade, and freedom of the seas. German submarines and US destroyers begin to exchange fire. “Shoot on sight”
Increasing Tensions with Japan Roosevelt’s primary goal: help Britain defeat Germany To accomplish this the United States must discourage the Japanese from attacking British holdings in Pacific United States restricts the sale of strategic material: scrap iron, steel, and oil Lend-lease aid to China Freeze Japanese assets in United States Build up defenses in Philippines
Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor Surprise attack on Hawaiian naval base by Japanese on December 7, 1941 –21 Ships sink –2,403 Americans killed, 1,178 injured –Roosevelt’s “Date which will live in Infamy” speechDate which will live in Infamy
The Aftermath SSSSenate and House declare war on Japan on December 8th. GGGGermany and Italy declare war on the United States on December 11th TTTThe United States is largely unprepared for the massive task of mobilization that lies ahead…