1. World War II
American entrance

2. Pretext Rise of Fascism in Europe
Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Franco all rise amid economic and political strife
1933: Enabling Act in Germany gives Hitler unprecedented power
Japanese Imperialism

3. Good Neighbor Policy
United States voluntarily renounced use of military force in Latin America

4. Isolationism America and congress accepted economic intervention
Did not want to get involved in political entanglements
Disillusionment from WWI
Some believed that the US was forced in WWI by “war profiteers”

5. Neutrality Act of 1935 Embargo on arms trading with countries at war
1936 banned loans to belligerent nations (those in conflict)
1937 “cash and carry” provision: If a nation wanted to purchase non-military goods from the US, it had to pay in cash and ship with own ships.

6. Opposition Some wanted intervention against Fascist rise in Europe
: Communist party in US membership peaked at 100,000
Abraham Lincoln Brigade: 3,200 military volunteers fight against Franco in Spain

7. Failure of Appeasement
Encouraged by Allied failures to intervene vs. Spain, Hitler becomes more bold
1938: Sends troops to annex Austria
1939 Non-aggression pact between Russia and Germany
1939: Invasion of Poland

8. Retreat from Isolationism
2 days after the war started, the US declared neutrality
Roosevelt made no secret of his sympathies to the Allies
84% of Americans in 1939 supported Britain and France

9. “Sitzkrieg”
After the attack/taking of Poland, there was a pause (September 1939 to April 1940)
Then, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Luxembourg fall quickly
June : France falls
Britain stands alone

10. 1939 Congress changes neutrality laws to allow Allies to buy arms on cash-and-carry basis
Conservatives form America First Committee (including Lindbergh)

11. Roosevelt Prepares for War
Ships for Bases trade with Britain
Large increase in defense spending approved by congress
Roosevelt Reelected in 1940

12. Lend-Lease
Authorized President to “lend, lease, or otherwise dispose of” arms and other equipment to any country whose defense was considered vital to the security of the United States

13. The Four Freedoms Speech:
Delivered before
Congress
January 6, 1941
*from Fear
*from Want
*of Speech
*to Worship

14. The Four Freedoms:
from
FEAR
World War II
Poster by
Norman Rockwell

15. The Four Freedoms:
from
WANT
World War II
Poster by
Norman Rockwell

16. The Four Freedoms: of
SPEECH
World War II
Poster by
Norman Rockwell

17. The Four Freedoms: to
WORSHIP
World War II
Poster by
Norman Rockwell

18. This was the “unofficial” entrance of the US into the war
Atlantic Charter: Meeting with Churchill to outline foundation for western cause
Economic collaboration
Stability after the war
National self determination
Collective security

19. Pearl Harbor Attack
2,403 Servicemen Killed
December 7, 1941

20. FDR Declares War
December 8, 1941

21. Washington Conference
Dec. 22, 1941 to Jan. 14, 1942
FDR & Churchill
adopt a policy of
“Europe First” that
considers Germany
the greater danger
than Japan.