War Spreads in Europe/Americans Debate Involvement

War Erupts in Europe

As Germany continued to move throughout Europe, they soon attempted to conquer the powerhouses of France and Britain. France fell within 35 days– their forces were no match for the

German tanks. When Germany looked to attack Britain, they were ready.

In the Battle of Britain, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) faced off against the German Luftwaffe.

The attack damaged many British properties in its month-long bombing campaign. But, Hitler called off the raid before the end.

War Erupts in Europe

As the war progressed into 1941, there were two definitive sides– the Axis Powers and the Allied Powers. The Axis Powers included Germany, Italy and

Japan, and other conquered countries. The Allies consisted of Britain and France.

(eventually, other countries would join, such as the U.S., Soviet Union and China)

Americans Debate Involvement

Although Roosevelt was inclined to join forces with Winston Churchill and Britain, the majority of Americans wanted to remain neutral. The severe economic crisis and the cost (both

financially and in lives) of WWI pushed Americans more towards an isolationist standpoint.

Americans Debate Involvement

Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts in 1935, 1936 and 1937, limiting the power of Roosevelt.

The Neutrality Act of 1939 did allow for the U.S. to implement a ‘cash-and-carry’ policy. This policy allowed nations at war to buy American goods

and arms, as long as they paid cash and carried them away on their own.

Since the British navy dominated, this benefited the Allies.

Americans Debate Involvement

Events in Europe continued to sway American opinion towards involvement. Reports from Edward R. Murrow during the bombing of

Britain shocked American viewers. The growth of the war in Europe was solidified when

Japan, Italy and Germany signed the Tripartite Pact– formally declaring themselves as Allies. The U.S. realized the war would last much longer, and its

allies were in danger, so they passed a Selective Service Act, starting a peacetime draft.

America Takes Steps Towards War

Once Roosevelt was re-elected in 1940 (for a 3rd time!), he began pushing more for American intervention.

In his address to Congress on January 6th, 1941, Roosevelt gave his famous Four Freedoms speech, which declared that Freedom from want; Freedom of speech; Freedom of worship; Freedom from fearwere threatened by Nazi and Japanese aggression.

America Takes Steps Towards War

When Britain ran out of money to purchase goods via the cash-and-carry policy, the U.S. came to their aid.

The Lend-Lease Act, passed in 1941, gave Roosevelt the power to “sell, lease, exchange, lend, or otherwise dispose of… defense articles… necessary in the defense of the U.S.” The U.S. was the arms supplier, keeping democracy safe

around the world. It was an “arsenal for democracy”.

America Takes Steps Towards War

Even though the U.S. had not formally entered the war, they were still actively supporting the Allies.

When Churchill and Roosevelt met secretly in August 1941, they signed a mutual agreement preserving “general security” and self-determination. This agreement would become known as the Atlantic

Charter.

Closing Question

Neutral not helping or supporting either side in a conflict, disagreement, etc.; impartial.Was the United States truly ‘neutral’ prior to its formal involvement in WWII?

Why or why not?