American Involvement WWII Americas response to WWII between
1939-1941 & after 1941
Slide 2
Isolationism After WWI the US continued to stay out of foreign
affairs during the 1920s and 1930s.
Slide 3
Neutrality Acts - 1935 Fearful of another war, the US passed
the Neutrality Acts It forbid the sale of weapons or military
equipment to rival nations in Europe Americans watched silently as
Nazi Germany emerged as a dominant world power and a dangerous
rogue nation all in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
Slide 4
FDRs Third Term - 1940 Only president to ever run for a third
term. He won by promising we wont get involved in war with Europe
again. When Roosevelt began running for his third term as
president, he established a precedent he was the only man in US
History to run for a third term in office. Many Americans were
uncertain what role our nation would play in the world during this
period of conflict. Roosevelt reassured them, Your boys are not
going to be sent into any foreign wars. Like Woodrow Wilson,
history would make a liar out of President Roosevelt.
Slide 5
DO YOU THINK THE UNITED STATES SHOULD REMAIN NEUTRAL? Debating
Americas involvement in WWII
Slide 6
The Selective Training & Service Act - 1940 The first ever
peace time draft of Americans in preparation for military conflict.
Millions of American men would be selected in the draft.
Slide 7
Economic Aid to Allies - 1940 By 1940, the US realized which
side we must support in the conflict. Congress passed the
Lend-Lease Act in 1940 to GIVE England, China, and the Soviet Union
immediate military aid.
Slide 8
The Atlantic Charter - 1941 The Atlantic Charter was negotiated
in secret, since most Americans were still committed to an
isolationist foreign policy and a neutral stance on the war in
Europe. Churchill and FDR made three(3)major commitments, though:
The Allies after the war: 1.wont seek any more land 2.would
encourage self- government everywhere 3.would create a new
international peace organization to replace the League of
Nations
Slide 9
Japanese Aggression in East Asia - 1941 Japan invaded Indochina
French controlled colonies in Southeast Asia (today this is
Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, & Laos.) The US responded by
refusing to trade oil and steel to Japan. The move was a good ten
years too late Japan had invaded Manchuria and Korea in 1931, with
no response from the United States. Japan, seeing no use for their
American rivals in the Pacific now, began planning to attack Pearl
Harbor and provoke war.
Slide 10
DO YOU THINK THE UNITED STATES SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN WWII?
STOP complete BACK of America Citizens: Should the US get involved
in WWII?
Slide 11
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 US was
attacked by Japan FDR called it a date which will live in infamy
2,400 US died; over 1,100 wounded; 18 ships sunk or grounded
Slide 12
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor The invasion of Pearl Harbor
was a complete surprise, although many Americans were aware the
relations between the United States and the Empire of Japan were
turning sour by the summer of 1941. Reports that Americans knew the
attack was coming and refused to warn the men at Pearl Harbor are
the products of conspiracy theorists and not historians. FDR did
want for the US to go to war, and he did know that Japan was a real
threat, but no one withheld any information from the men in Hawaii,
and the attack was a surprise.
Slide 13
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor In addition to the deaths of
over 2,400 men, the US Pacific fleet was devastated by the
invasion. The USS Arizona, seen here, was sunk in the harbor itself
and other ships were nearly sunk in places that might have blocked
the exit and entrance routes at Pearl. If there was anything
positive to report at all, it was a stroke of unimaginable good
fortune most of the aircraft carriers stationed at Pearl Harbor at
the time were out to sea, and therefore were saved from
destruction. Our navy would be able to recover from the
devastation.
Slide 14
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor President FDR described the
invasion in an address to the American people the day after the
attack, and asked for a declaration of war against Japan at the end
of his speech: Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will
live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and
deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of
Japan.
Slide 15
Declaration of War Immediately after Pearl Harbor, the U.S.
declares war on Germany, Italy, and Japan
Slide 16
Axis Powers Declare War In response, Italy and Germany declare
war on the U.S.
Slide 17
Opposition to War Not EVERYONE in America agreed to us joining
WWII. Opposition to the war were loud and proud. America First
Committee: largest anti-war group in history Charles Lindbergh was
a member Shut down after Pearl Harbor by keeping America out of
WWII until Hitler attacked Stalin, Soviet Russia, and not America,
bore the brunt of the fighting, bleeding, and dying against the
Nazis. Jeanette Rankin: First woman in Congress ONLY member to vote
AGAINST US joining WWII after Pearl Harbor Was one of 50 who voted
against US joining WWI