1. American History Chapter 23-3
The U.S. Enters the War

2. Should Americans Get Involved?
Did not join the League of Nations for fear of war.
Pacifists: People who are against the use of military force.
Most Americans believed we should defend ourselves.
1935 – Neutrality Act: Unlawful to sell war supplies or make loans to warring nations.
FDR did not want to remain neutral.
Gave the Quarantine Speech: Compared war to a disease.
HISTORY’S VOICES
“The peace, the freedom, and the security of 90 percent of the population of the world is being jeopardized by the remaining 10 percent who are threatening a breakdown of all international order and law.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt, October 5, 1937

4. The Isolationists Lose Support
1938 – Congress approved FDR’s request to build up the navy.
Neutrality laws changed to cash-and-carry: Allowed for the sale of military goods to warring nations.
1940 – FDR traded 50 warships to Britain for 8 military bases.
1940 – FDR is elected for a 3rd term over republican Wendell Wilkie.
Lend-Lease Act: Provided Britain with weapons, regardless of their ability to pay.

5. The U.S. Commits
Aug. 1941: Roosevelt & Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter, a pact against Hitler & his allies.
German subs began attacking American ships.
In Japan, Hideki Tojo, planned an attack against the U.S.
Dec. 7, 1941 The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
U.S. officials knew that a Japanese attack was coming but they were not sure where.
Tojo

6. Attack on Pearl Harbor

7. Americans felt anger and fear.
8 battleships damaged or sunk.
200 aircraft destroyed.
2,400 Americans dead.
The U.S. goes to war against the Axis Powers.