1. Aim: Could the USA have remained neutral during World War II, and what officially brought us into war?
May 22, 1941
Lesson Plan for Thursday, February 19, 2009: Warm-Up Q, WW2 Notes
December 8, 1941

2. First president to break 2 term tradition and seek a 3rd term? WHY?
FDR – IT’S A CRITICAL TIME! BUT “Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars”
Smaller margin, but Americans TRUST HIM.

3. Then things changed as the war raged on in Europe and the Pacific…
The US was a neutral nation during the 1930’s…WHY?
Then things changed as the war raged on in Europe and the Pacific…
Cash and Carry Act (1939)
Destroyers for Bases Deal (1940)
Lend-Lease Act (1940)
Atlantic Charter (1941) – What did you learn from your HW last night?

4. Atlantic Charter (August, 1941)
SO CLOSE to war, time for a secret meeting…
Atlantic Charter (August, 1941)
FDR and Winston Churchill (England) meet:
Discuss Allies’ goals for the post-war world
“a permanent system of general security”…which becomes WHAT?
United Nations (1945) – a new League
SIGNIFICANCE?
FDR’s commitment to end isolation
US committed to British victory
At this point, was the US fully, partially, or not at all neutral at the start of WWII?

5. THE END OF US NEUTRALITY: USA vs. Japan
In 1941, the U.S. & Japan were unable to diplomatically resolve their differences
How did the USA react to Japan’s aggression?
Froze Japan’s assets in American banks
Refused to trade oil, steel and rubber to Japan…WHY??
Japan needed these resources to continue its imperial march in the Pacific
WHAT WAS JAPAN’S RESPONSE?
Arm themselves and CRUSH anything in its path…
HOW DID THE USA AGGRAVATE JAPAN EVEN MORE?
Read documents 3 & 4 with your elbow buddy, and then in your notebook, answer the questions that correspond with each.
U.S. wanted the Japanese removed from China
Japan wanted a free hand in China

6. Pearl Harbor – December 7, 1941
Peace talks between Japan and the USA occurred in November of (even gave us a peace medal)
"an incalculable loss to both Japan and the United States, as well as to civilization, if our two countries should become engaged in war”
"should agree to eliminate any form of military threat"
All proposals at peace FAILED!
The moment at which the Japanese surprise attack force is about to take off from the carrier… Japanese attack planes prepare for take off. Japanese crew cheer for pilots as they enter their planes.

8. Japanese pilot’s eyewitness account
Commander Mitsuo Fuchida
“ Veering right toward the west coast of the island, we could see that the sky over Pearl Harbor was clear. Presently the harbor itself became visible across the central Oahu plain, a film of morning mist hovering over it. I peered intently through my binoculars at the ships riding peacefully at anchor. One by one I counted them. Yes, the battleships were there all right, eight of them!”

9. On Dec 7, 1941, the U.S. naval fleet in the Pacific was crippled by the attack
On Dec 7, 1941, the U.S. naval fleet in the Pacific was crippled by the surprise attack; 8 battleships were sunk & 2,400 Americans were killed

11. Philippines, Guam, and Wake Island Limit US ability to fight back
Where did Japan attack at the SAME TIME? Why?
Philippines, Guam, and Wake Island
Limit US ability to fight back
Continue Japanese colonization in Asia and the Pacific

12. FDR’s Pearl Harbor Speech
WHILE YOU WATCH/LISTEN, ANSWER:
What did FDR call December 7, 1941?
According to FDR, why did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor?
How does FDR want the country to respond to the attack?
What does he want Congress to do?
Speech
The attack on Pearl Harbor prompted FDR to ask Congress for a declaration of war (December 8, 1941)
Congress votes 477 – 1 in favor of war!
Japan, Germany, and Italy made an agreement that if a country not involved in WWII attacked one of the three, the others would come to that countries aid.
Germany & Italy declare war on the U.S. on December 11, 1941

13. Now our country is REALLY in the war!

15. LOOKING AHEAD: Pearl Harbor effects the US homefront
What do you think were the biggest concerns of Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor?