1. From Isolation to Involvement: The US Entry into WWII
FOCUS QUESTION: How did Americans react to events in Europe and Asia in the early years of WWII?

2. Review What caused WWII?
Which countries had totalitarian governments and what types of things were they doing?
When did the War officially start?
Which countries made up the two alliances?
Allies vs. Axis

3. (why do you think they were against getting involved?)
Scenario
Roosevelt was very sympathetic to the crisis facing Europe and particularly Great Britain (Winston Churchill)
Many Americans opposed US intervention
(why do you think they were against getting involved?)

4. American Neutrality 1935 ~ Congress began passing Neutrality Acts to:
(What does “neutral” mean?)
1. Outlaw sales of weapons to nations at war
2. Outlaw loans to nations at war
3. Extend the ban to include nations involved in civil wars (response to Spanish Civil War in 1936)

5. Guernica Pablo Picasso

6. Cash and Carry (1939)
1939 ~ Congress passed a law allowing warring nations to buy U.S. military arms as long as they paid cash and transported (carried) them in their own ships
The British controlled the seas, so it benefitted the Allies
Why would some Americans believe FDR’s policies violate American neutrality?

7. Should the US Enter WWII?
Isolationists
Interventionists
Avoid alliances
Focus on issues at home (depression)
Complete neutrality is the only way to stay safe
Intervention would be a mistake like WWI was
Work with other nations to promote collective security
Axis aggressions were wrong, threatened US interests
Aid the Allies who are fighting for democracy & freedom
Pressure the Axis powers & prepare for war

8. Selective Service Act (1940)
1940 ~ Congress passed the first peacetime military draft which registered 16 million men between ages 21 and 35
Japan Joins Axis Powers (1940)
September 27, 1940 ~ Germany, Italy, Japan signed a mutual defense treaty called the Tripartite Pact

9. Lend Lease Act (1941)
1941 ~ US agreed to lend weapons and arms to countries whose defense was vital to the US; this was mainly aimed at helping Great Britain

10. Atlantic Charter (1941)
1941 ~ Churchill and FDR met secretly to discuss goals for fighting WWII – signals deepening alliance of US and GB

11. How did the US try to stay out of war but be prepared?

12. German Wolf Packs (1941)
Hitler organized German U-Boats into groups of 40+ submarines to stop the Lend-Lease ships
FDR gives the US Navy permission to attack U-Boats in self-defense

13. Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941
Mission: surprise attack the US Pacific Naval Base in Pearl Harbor, HI
Purpose: prevent Americans from resisting Japanese expansion
Results: 2,500 killed, many ships & planes damaged

14. US Declares War
December 8, 1941 FDR asks Congress to declare war on Japan
They vote in favor of war!

15. Video Clip
Pearl Harbor

16. FDR’s Speech
A Date That Will Live in Infamy