1. The US Gets Involved in WWII
Was US involvement in World War II inevitable?

2. US wants to remain neutral (isolationist)
Problem: Great Britain is alone in fighting Hitler

3. Neutrality Acts
Congress passed a series of laws known as the Neutrality Acts
Purpose was to keep US out of WWII
Forbid US to trade with warring nations
1939 Cash and Carry
Great Britain could have what they wanted if they paid cash and came and got the stuff

4. Spring 1940 December 1940 Destroyers for Bases Deal Lend Lease Aid
US gave Great Britain war ships
Great Britain gave US naval bases around the world
December 1940
Lend Lease Aid
Gave Great Britain whatever they needed
Great Britain paid rent on stuff or promised to give it back after the war

5. Problems with Japan
By 1940 Japan had taken control of most of the Pacific region
Japan was threatening Great Britain’s colonies in the Pacific
US did not want Great Britain to fight a two front war

6. US Takes Action Against Japan
US passes the Export control Act
Embargo against Japan
Would not trade steel or oil with Japan
Japan’s Reaction
December 7, 1941 – Bombed Pearl Harbor

7. Impact of “The Day That Will Live in Infamy”
2,403 Americans killed in surprise attack
Almost all of Pacific Fleet was destroyed
December 8, US declares war on Japan
December 11th, Germany and Italy declare war on the US

8. The US Mobilizes for War

9. How did the War bring about change and innovation on the home front?

10. Converting the Economy
US Workers were twice as productive as German workers and five times as productive as Japanese workers
US used cost – plus contracts to guarantee profits for industry
Auto industry produced 1/3 of all military goods
War Production Board allocated materials to industry

11. Building an Army Selective Service Act
June 1940
1st peacetime draft in American history
Military faced equipment shortages at home
Not very well trained
American Soldiers earn the name “G.I.s”

12. African American Soldiers
Pushed for the “Double V”
Victory over Hitler’s racism and Racism at home
Tuskegee Airmen
Broke Many Stereotypes

13. Women in the Military Barred from Combat Enlistment Slogan
“Release a man for Combat”

14. Women on the Homefront Filled factory jobs Did “Men’s Work”
Permanently changed their role in the workforce

15. Other Americans Bracero Program Native Americans
Over 200,000 Mexican farm workers came to America to help supply troops with food
Native Americans
Marines used Navajo Indians as “Code Talkers”

16. Japanese American Internment Camps
Removed all Japanese from their homes on the west coast
Placed in internment camps for the duration of WWII
Fear of spies
Korematsu vs US – Internment was legal based on military urgency
$20,000 give to each survivor from the Governemnt

17. Daily Life during the War
Federal Government enforced rationing
Used blue and red points
Coupons for goods
People planted Victory Gardens
Government organized scrap drives
Sold bonds to help pay for the war
People did what they could to win the war!!!