America Moves Toward War Chapter 24 – Section 4

FDR & War Although FDR gave in to the American public’s desire to abstain from war – he knew that there could be no peace in a world controlled by dictators. Winston Churchill became prime minister in Britain and wrote many letters begging FDR to join in the war effort.

Cash-and-Carry In 1939, FDR persuaded Congress to pass this plan which allowed the US to sell arms to Britain & France so long as they transported the supplies in their own ships. This was FDR’s way of helping France & Britain without sending American troops.

By 1940, France had fallen and Britain was under siege. The “cash-and-carry” policy had come a little too late… Britain was on the ropes.

On September 27 th, Americans were jolted by the news that Germany, Italy, and Japan had signed a mutual defense treaty – these three nations were now the Axis Powers. This was a plan to keep the US out o the war – they knew the US did not want to fight a two-ocean war.

Building US Defenses FDR began asking Congress to increase national defense spending in Nazi victories in Europe alarmed the American public and helped FDR win support for the increased spending… Congress approved

The Selective Training and Service Act This was the US’s first peacetime military draft. Effects: -Registered 16 million men (ages 21-25) for potential service -Immediately recruited 1 million men into service for one year

Roosevelt’s Third Term FDR did not want to leave office while the US was in the middle of preparing for what seemed like an inevitable war. He decided to run for a third term, breaking from the tradition started by George Washington of two terms. FDR won because his opponent was not very different from him (not an isolationist) and also FDR was still very popular. 55% of vote

A New Tone After he won, FDR changed his tone even more… “If Britain falls, the Axis Powers will be left unopposed to conquer all of Europe, Asia, and Africa.”

The Lend-Lease Plan By 1940, Britain had run out of money and could no longer by the supplies it needed. FDR proposed this plan to allow Britain to borrow money and supplies from the US. He used the analogy of lending a garden hose to a neighbor whose house is on fire – doing so stops the fire from spreading to your house.

Hitler Goes Back on His Word Crucial turning point in war: Hitler sends German forces to invade the S.U. in 1941 – breaking the agreement he made with Stalin in Acting on the policy of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” FDR included the Soviet Union in the Lend-Lease Plan.

German Submarines In order to prevent supplies from reaching his enemies, Hitler ordered his submarines to sink any ships thought to be carrying supplies. This eventually led to attacks on American ships (who had actually been selling, transporting, and escorting supplies the entire time)… FDR gave permission for US ships to return fire

Submarine Warfare FDR met in secret with Churchill to discuss plans: He said that although he could not openly declare war he would continue to support Britain and the Soviet Union against Hitler. FDR said he would “do everything to force an incident” between the US and Germany

FDR gets his “incident” The sinking of an American warship Kearny (11 lives lost) gave FDR his reason to order military action against Germany. “The shooting has started – And history has recorded who fired the first shot.” –FDR However, the US is still not officially involved in the war against the Axis Powers.

Japan needs oil The US responded to Japanese seizure of French-Indochina (now Vietnam, Cambodia, and laos) by cutting off trade. Japan now had no way of getting oil – which it needed to fight the war. Negotiations ensued between Hideki Tojo (military leader) and the US – Tojo promised the emperor that he would conserve peace.

Japan prepares an attack The US breaks Japan’s secret communication codes in 1940 and starts listening November 5 th, 1941 Tojo ordered the Japanese Navy to prepare for an attack against the US December 6 th, 1941 – FDR sent out a warning to the military commanders in Hawaii, Guam and the Philippines. The “warning” stated that “the US desires that Japan commit the first overt act.”

A Day That Will Live in Infamy December 7 th, 1941: In the early morning, Japanese bombers flew in and launched an attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack is unopposed for an hour and a half before the first US plane lifts off. The US loses almost all of its Pacific Fleet / A greater naval loss in one day than in all of WWI.

Results of the Attack 2,403 Americans dead 1,178 wounded 21 ships sunk or damaged (8 battleships) 300+ Aircraft destroyed The US finally enters the war

Activity: Timeline Use your notes and book (phone is okay) to create a timeline of the significant events in WWII thus far. Be sure to include: Hitler’s initial 3 phases/steps Japanese seizure of French Indochina The “phony war” The Fall of France, Formation of Axis Allies Battle of Britain The events that brought the U.S. into the war