1. American Involvement in World War II

2. End of the Great Depression
By 1939, the New Deal was over.
Unemployment dropped from a high of 13 million in 1933 to a low of under 8 million in 1937
FDR was increasingly concerned with events in Europe, especially Hitler’s rise to power.

3. Europe in the 1930’s
France and Britain made an alliance with Poland in case Hitler decided to attack them.
Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact- Aug. 23, Agreed not to attack one another and to divide Poland and recognize each others territorial ambitions.

4. Germany invades Poland
September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland.
September 17, Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east.
France and Britain declared war on Germany but did not help Poland.
By the end of September Poland was defeated.

5. Hitler Launches a Blitzkrieg Against Poland
Blitzkrieg means “LIGHTING WAR”
The key to blitzkrieg is … SURPRISE!
It is designed to attack many different targets with overwhelming numbers so as to simply devastate the enemy.
1. airplane raids
2. tanks
3. infantry

6. Axis Powers
Germany
Italy
Japan
Allies
Britain
France
Soviet Union
China
United States

7. AXIS POWERS BY 1942

8. France Falls to Axis Powers
April 9, 1940 Germany attacked Denmark and Norway
May 10, 1940 Hitler sent forces into Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
These smaller nations did not stand a chance against Hitler’s powerful forces.

9. AMERICAN NEUTRALITY
December 16, 1940: Do you think it was a mistake for the U.S. to enter the first World War?
Yes: 39% No 42% No opinion 19%
Neutral

10. NEUTRALITY ACTS
1935: prohibited arms shipments to all belligerent countries.
1936: forbid loans to all belligerents
1937: “Cash and Carry” principle: all nations must pay for nonmilitary purchases and ship the goods in their own vessels
Neutral

11. NEUTRALITY ACTS
1939: prohibited Americans from traveling on ships of belligerent nations
FDR responds to Fascist aggression in Europe by protecting democracies and preparing the US for war…..
Neutral

12. Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis: The Tripartite Pact--Sept., 1940

13. Movement Toward War
Selective Service Act Provided 1.2 million troops trained and 800,000 reserve troops a year.
FDR gave Britain 50 WWI battleships in exchange for 8 British defense bases.
Britain needed the battleships to convoy goods across the Atlantic.

14. Lend Lease Gives Aid to Allies
Lend-Lease Act Authorized FDR to sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of to any government when he thought it was in the best interest of his country.

15. Atlantic Charter
Atlantic Charter- Document that endorsed national self –determination and an international system of general security.
This happened in a meeting with FDR and Prime Minister of Britain Winston Churchill.

16. America Enters the War

17. Japan 1941- Hedeki Tojo became the Japanese Prime Minister.
He concentrated on Japanese expansion and the U.S. was strongly against it.

18. Why did the Japanese Attack Us?
US and Japan had negotiated several treaties to respect each other territorial possessions.
Japan had ignored the treaties and were threatening US island possessions and the Open Door Policy in China.
Invaded China in 1937 and started WWII in Asia.
US had placed an embargo on war goods so that Japan could not purchase them.

19. DAY OF INFAMY
Approximately 100 ships of the U.S. Navy were present that morning, consisting of battleships, destroyers, cruisers and various support ships.
USS Arizona (BB39) Battleship
USS West Virginia (BB48) Battleship
USS California (BB44) Battleship
USS Oklahoma (BB37) Battleship
USS Nevada (BB36) Battleship
USS Pennsylvania (BB38) Battleship
USS Tennessee (BB43) Battleship
USS Maryland (BB46) Battleship
USS Vestal (AR4) Repair ship
USS Neosho (AO23) Oiler
USS Detroit (CL8) Light cruiser
USS Raleigh (CL7) Light cruiser
USS Utah (AG16) Target Ship
USS Tangier (AV8) Seaplane Tender

20. DAY OF INFAMY
Infamy7

23. FDR signed the declaration of war against Japan on Dec. 8, 1941
After FDR’s Day of Infamy speech asking for a declaration of war against Japan, Congress approved the declaration….
FDR signed the declaration of war against Japan on Dec. 8, 1941

24. WAR POSTERS
posters

25. Responding to the Call
From the army alone grew from 1.4 million to 3 million. There were also increases in the Navy and the Marines.
Native Americans, African Americans and Mexican Americans joined forces as well.
Women’s Army Corps (WAC)- Provided clerical workers, truck drivers, instructors and lab technicians for the Army.