1. Warm-up: Explain the meaning of this cartoon

2. The U.S. Goes to War

3. The U.S. on the Brink of War
American policy in the early years of the war was to remain neutral (isolationism) but still make war supplies for the Allies, such as Great Britain
The US began to emerge from the depression by producing goods for the Allies
FDR focused on domestic issues surrounding Great Depression in 1930s

4. Congress passes Neutrality Acts
1st…bans providing weapons to nations at war
2nd…banned loans to nations at war
3rd…permits trade of nonmilitary goods with fighting nations…cash and carry
Prevented US from selling arms even to those nations that were trying to defend themselves from aggression

5. U.S. Involvement Grows
After Poland, Americans shared interests with allies
Roosevelt asked for revision of Neutrality Acts…make them more flexible
Isolationists formed the America First Committee to protest increasing aid to Britain
The Lend Lease Act
Britain confessed inability to pay cash for supplies
FDR announced new plan…no payment in return
Authorized President to aid any nation whose defense he believed was vital to American security

6. Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
July 1940, FDR began limiting what Japan could buy from US
General Tojo Hideki became Prime Minister of Japan in October 1941
US military leaders knew of an attack in Pacific by Nov. 27, just not where
On morning of December 7, 1941 Japan attack US naval base on Oahu
In less than two hours, thousands of Americans were killed or wounded, and hundreds of ships and planes were destroyed

7. United States Declares War
The attack on Pearl Harbor stunned Americans
Roosevelt declared December 7, 1941 as “a date which will live in infamy”
On December 8, 1941, Congress passed a war resolution and FDR signed a declaration of war on Japan
On December 11, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States.
America, once again was involved in a world war as a result of Pearl Harbor

8. FDR signing the declaration of war on Japan
(National Archives)

9. Activity:
Pearl Harbor video