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Published byLesley Porter Modified over 8 years ago
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FROM NEUTRALITY TO WAR 1939-1941
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Outbreak of War in Europe Hitler breaks Munich agreement, occupies Czechoslovakia Britain and France draw line at Poland Stalin (USSR) and Hitler sign nonaggression pact, secretly divide Poland
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Outbreak of War in Europe Invasion of Poland September 1, 1939 Britain and France declare war Blitzkrieg strategy Air Power Fast tanks Control of Scandinavia, France by spring of 1940
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Changing U.S. policy Most opposed Hitler Roosevelt believed British survival was necessary Chipped away at neutrality laws Massive aid to Britain was controversial Cash and Carry Less restrictive Neutrality Act Arms if carried on their ships and paid cash Strongly favored Britain
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Changing U.S. Policy Selective Service Act (1940) Compulsory military service/draft All men 21-35 1.2 million troops First draft during peacetime Smaller proportion of resistors than WWI 3x as many (6,000) Destroyers-for-bases deal Britain under constant attack Couldn’t sell destroyers 50 ships for right to build bases on Brit islands
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The Election of 1940 3 Term president? Campaign “Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.” Wendell Willkie GOP nominee New Deal critic Similar in view on war Focused on 2-term limit Result 54% for Roosevelt
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Arsenal of Democracy Four Freedoms Proposed lending money to GB to buy war materiel In defense of 4 freedoms Speech, religion, from want, from fear Lend-Lease Act End cash and carry Sell arms on credit America-First vehemently opposed
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Arsenal of Democracy Atlantic Charter Secret meeting between Roosevelt and Churchill Affirmed peace objectives Self-determination for all No territorial expansion Free trade Shoot-on-sight U.S. escorts for British ships carrying lend-lease sales American ship attacked by German American ships to attack Germans on sight
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Disputes with Japan Japan had expanded into Allied colonies U.S. economic action No steel or iron to any country except GB Oil embargo Negotiations Needed oil for navy and AF Japan would have to take resources Invasion of China violation of Open Door Unsuccessful, hope for delayed confrontation
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Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 2,400 deaths 1,200 wounded 20 warships 150 airplanes
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Pearl Harbor Partial surprise High gov. officials aware of immanency of attack Code broken No exact target and date Philippines, Dutch East Indies, Malaya Declaration of War Nearly Unanimous Jeanette Rankin First female Congressperson ONLY congressperson to vote against both WWI and WWII
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