1. Topic 6a – Road to World War II
Objective:
Explain the causes of U.S. entry into World War II
By analyzing U.S. responses to global events from
Relevance:
In this lesson you will learn how the United States’ desire to protect its own interests can lead it to trouble.

2. Path to War Hitler and the Treaty of Versailles
Objective:
Explain the causes of U.S. entry into World War II
By analyzing U.S. foreign policy from
Path to War
Hitler and the Treaty of Versailles
Hitler rebuilt the German Air Force and enacted a draft to obtain soldiers.
Germany planned on using their renewed strength to “unify all German speaking nations”
Britain/France/USSR all ignore his claim and mostly allow his operations to continue.
US doesn’t care for the following reasons:
“America First”
The Great Depression
World War I Neutrality
Why did no one care enough to do something about Hitler ignoring the Treaty of Versailles?

3. Path to War Neutrality Acts of 1935
Embargo all sales of weapons to “belligerent” nations. (those at war, even allies)
Avoid mistakes of the past.
Avoid war due to the Depression
Avoid war because it’s unpopular
Why did Congress pass the Neutrality Acts of 1935?
What is the message of the above cartoon? Who do you notice is the author/cartoonist?
Objective:
Explain the causes of U.S. entry into World War II
By analyzing U.S. foreign policy from

4. Path to War Japan invading China Open Door/Trade Implications
Objective:
Explain the causes of U.S. entry into World War II
By analyzing U.S. foreign policy from
Path to War
Japan invading China
Open Door/Trade Implications
Economic Concerns
Japan also committing horrible war crimes.
1937 Neutrality Acts Amended
Sale to China allowed
Why was the United States worried about Japan invading China in 1937?
What action does the Government take in 1937 to express their worry and attempt to do about this?

5. Path to War Cash and Carry Lend-Lease Act
Objective:
Explain the causes of U.S. entry into World War II
By analyzing U.S. foreign policy from
Path to War
Cash and Carry
Selling arms to allied nations
Allied nations had to facilitate own transportation
Had to be in cash immediately (Germans cash poor)
Became popular and turns into:
Lend-Lease Act
Allowed the direct transfer of war material to any nation.
Lent supplies to nations who were “vital to the defense of the United States.”
What was “cash-and-carry”?
What do these two policies show about the US’s “neutrality”?
What was the Lend-Lease Act of 1940?

6. Path to War War getting close now…
Objective:
Explain the causes of U.S. entry into World War II
By analyzing U.S. foreign policy from
Path to War
War getting close now…
Germany captured Poland, Eastern Europe, and now France…
Roosevelt eager to get in the fight but cannot due to it’s laws and the war’s relative unpopularity.
It cuts all trade to Japan (iron, steel, OIL!) to save for allied forces in Europe.
Japan is an island nation…it needs those to continue invading China…
U.S. is considered an enemy by Japan.
Hitler allies with Japan to hope to keep them busy in the Pacific.
December 7, 1941: Japan attacks the United States at Pearl Harbor.
December 8, 1941: U.S. declares war on Japan
German alliance triggers, Nazi’s declare war on the United States.
What are two reasons why Roosevelt would restrict the sales of strategic materials to Japan in 1940?

7. Summarize why Japan attacked the United States in 1941.

8. Objective:
Explain the causes of U.S. entry into World War II
By analyzing U.S. responses to global events from
Path to War
09/18/1931 Japan invades Manchuria
1935 Hitler defies the Treaty of Versailles
1935 Roosevelt signs the Neutrality Acts
07/07/1937 Japan invades China
1937 Roosevelt exempts China from Neutrality Acts
09/29/1938 Germany takes control of Austria
09/01/1939 Germany invades Poland
1939 “Cash-and-Carry” begins
1940 Lend-Lease Act
11/1941 Germany attacks USSR
July 1940 Roosevelt restricts sale of iron, steel, and oil to Japan.
12/07/1941 Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
12/08/1941 US enters WWII by declaring war on Japan