1. From Isolation to Involvement

2. How did the U.S. initially feel about getting involved in World War I?
Review
How did the U.S. initially feel about getting involved in World War I?
How might this view impact World War II?
What aspects of the Treaty of Paris did Hitler ignore or purposefully violate?

3. Roosevelt Opposes Aggression
Roosevelt condemned the Japanese attacks on China and civilian populations
Believed an informal alliance of peace loving nations was necessary but did not suggest how to quarantine the aggressive ones
Speech was criticized but alerted Americans of the potential threat of Japan

4. War Erupts in Europe
France and Britain’s efforts to appease Hitler did not stop Hitler’s expansion
After Hitler took Czechoslovakia into his Reich, Britain and France vowed consequences if he acted again
Britain and France signed an alliance with Poland, guaranteeing aid if Hitler attacks

5. Nazi-Soviet Nonagression Pact
Hitler was more concerned about war with the Soviet Union
He did not want to fight a war on two-fronts
Signed the Nazi-Soviet Nonagression Pact in August 1939
Publically promised not to attack each other
Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939
Launched a massive blitzkrieg (sudden attack) from three directions

6. Blitzkrieg-Lightning War
New style of warfare that emphasizes the use of speed and firepower to penetrate deep into the enemy’s territory
New technologies made it very effective
Coordinated assault by tanks, planes, motorized vehicles, infantry
Germany broke through Poland’s defenses
September 17 the Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east

7. Alliances
Axis Powers
Germany, Italy, Japan (and others)
Allies
Britain, France
Eventually Soviet Union, U.S., and China
“Phony War”- after the Polish campaign, an 8 month period of relative quiet

8. Other countries fall to Hitler
Spring 1940 Hitler moves West to Norway and Denmark
Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg
Fall almost immediately

9. France falls to Hitler
Prepared for Hitler by creating the Maginot Line
Interconnected series of fortresses located on the border of France and Germany
May 1940 German tanks rolled through the Ardennes
A hilly, forested area believed to be invasion proof
German plan almost worked but the British and French were able to remove their troops from the port at Dunkirk
Germans were still able to take Paris and forced the French to surrender
Occupied France- large Northern area controlled by the Germans
Vichy (Unoccupied) France- small southern section administered by the French (collaborated with Nazis)

10. The Battle of Britain- An air battle
After the fall of France, Germany turns to Britain
After Dunkirk, Winston Churchill abandoned appeasement
Germany’s air force (Luftwaffe) depended on destroying the British Royal Air Force and gaining control of the sky
Germany bombed civilian as well as military targets
Destroyed houses, factories, and churches
“the blitz”- month long bombing of London
Ultimately Britain held on and Hitler postponed the invasion of Britain indefinitely

11. Americans Debate Involvement
At the beginning of the war, many Americans favored isolation
Great Depression forced Americans to focus on domestic affairs
Believed WWI was a deadly, expensive mistake
Nye Committee- researched whether big business conspired to enter WWI to make fortunes selling weapons
Lacked hard evidence but suggested bankers and manufacturers had pulled the U.S. into war
Further reinforced isolationist sentiments

12. Imposed certain restrictions on Americans during times of war
Neutrality Acts 1935, 1936, 1937
Imposed certain restrictions on Americans during times of war
Forbidden from sailing on ships owned by nations at war
Forbidden to make loans or sell weapons and arms

13. FDR wanted to aid the Democratic nations
Neutrality Act of 1939
FDR wanted to aid the Democratic nations
This act included a cash-and-carry provision
Allowed belligerent nation to buy goods and arms in the U.S. if they paid cash and carried them to their own ships
The British navy controlled the seas so the provision aided the allies
Americans still debated neutrality and FDR’s openly pro-Allies position

14. 1940- Roosevelt is reelected to a third term
Inching toward War
September Germany, Italy, Japan signed the Tripartite Pact to become allies
Congress passed the Selective Service Act, a peacetime draft, provided military training to troops and reserve troops
1940- Roosevelt is reelected to a third term
Once he is safely reelected, he increases his support of Britain

15. Roosevelt gave his “Four Freedoms” speech in January 1941
Spoke of freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear
Announced they were threatened by Nazi and Japanese militarism
Best way to stay out of conflict was to aid Britain

16. An economic declaration of war against Germany and the Axis powers
Lend-Lease Act
Roosevelt called for America to become the “great arsenal from democracy”
Lend-Lease act authorized Roosevelt to “sell, transfer title to , exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of, to any such government any defense article” whenever he thought “necessary in the interest of the defense of the United States”
An economic declaration of war against Germany and the Axis powers

17. Atlantic Charter
August 1941, Prime minister Churchill and Roosevelt secretly met on a warship to discuss Britain's problems in the war and hopes for the world after Hitler’s defeat
The men signed the Atlantic Charter- a document that endorsed national self-determination and an international system of “general security”

18. U.S. Navy Battles German U-Boats
Hitler noticed the deepening alliance between U.S. and Britain and the transfer of arms via ship
Fall 1941 Hitler orders German U-Boats (submarines) to attack American Ships
The attacks shocked and angered Americans and moved them closer to declaring war on Germany
Roosevelt ordered attacks on U-Boats
June Germany had gone to war with the Soviet Union
By November, war against the U.S. seemed inevitable