1. American Involvement: The U.S. Helps Its Allies

2. Hitler was busy taking over Europe

3. 1939 America declares its neutrality

4. Although isolationist feelings were strong, many Americans sympathized with those who battled the Axis Powers

7. President Roosevelt found ways to go around the Neutrality Acts He wanted to find a ways to provide aid, including warships, to Britain as it stood alone against Hitler

8. Lend-Lease Act Passed in1941 by Roosevelt/Congress Sell or lend war materials to “any country whose defense the President deems vital to the defense of the U.S.”: Countries of democracy/freedom Supplied arms to those who were fighting for freedom

9. Atlantic Charter Aug. 9, 1941: Roosevelt (U.S.) and Churchill (G.B.) met secretly on a battleship Set goals for the war: “the final destruction of the Nazi tyranny” Right for people to choose their government Free Trade “Permanent system of general security” Becomes the Allies’ peace plan at the end of WWII

12. September 4, 1941, U.S. destroyer: Greer was heading back from Newfoundland to Iceland. German U-boat fires on the U.S. destroyer: Greer President Roosevelt issues orders to "shoot on sight" any warships within "our defensive waters." U.S. & Germany involved in undeclared naval war