1. Declaration & Mobilization for War
America Joins WWII
Declaration & Mobilization for War
1941
REMEMBER: The war had already been going on for
almost 3 years before we joined!

2. Pearl Harbor
Japan attacks the American Pacific fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Congress declares war on Japan on December 8, 1941
On December 11, 1941 Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.
President Roosevelt stated privately: “We haven't the Navy to fight in both the Atlantic and the Pacific…so we will have to build up the Navy and Air Force and that will means that we will have to take a good many defeats before we can have victory.”
Why doesn’t the U.S. have a strong enough military to fight a two front war?
What does this quote reflect about Roosevelt’s preparedness for war?

3. America Prepares to Fight!
Mobilization
America Prepares to Fight!
The Selective Service is established to build up military
Factories stop producing consumer goods in early 1942
OSRD created to improve technology & medicine for war effort
Government takes control of the economy to make sure civilian & soldiers needs are met.

4. At the end of December 1941 Churchill & Roosevelt meet to strategize:
Decide to try & defeat Hitler & Mussolini first (will start in North Africa)
By Spring of 1942 American soldiers are fighting in the Pacific
By November 1942 American soldiers are fighting in North Africa