The U.S. Moves Towards WarThe U.S. Moves Towards War

1930s: Japan in Asia and Germany & Italy 1930s: Japan in Asia and Germany & Italy in Europe make territorial conquestsin Europe make territorial conquests

Hideki Tojo: leader of Japan’s armyHideki Tojo: leader of Japan’s army Adolf Hitler: leader of GermanyAdolf Hitler: leader of Germany Benito Mussolini: leader of ItalyBenito Mussolini: leader of Italy

1930s Actions of Japan and Germany1930s Actions of Japan and Germany 1931—Japan invaded Manchuria1931—Japan invaded Manchuria (n. China) and ignored the (n. China) and ignored the

League of Nation’s reprimandLeague of Nation’s reprimand 1937—Japan launched a full-scale invasion of China; on Dec. 12 1937—Japan launched a full-scale invasion of China; on Dec. 12

Japanese planes attacked the U.S. ship Japanese planes attacked the U.S. ship Panay Panay outside of Nanking, killing 2 Americans (claimed it was an accident)

1937—When taking over Nanking (then the Chinese capital), Japan’s army murdered 300,000 people and destroyed much of the city

1930s—Hitler espoused the doctrine of the racial superiority of Aryans, and believed in the racial inferiority of the Jews (a “degenerate race”); he renounced the Treaty of Versailles and the ban on rebuilding Germany’s armed forces; he wanted to take over European land to obtain lebensraum (“living space”) for Germany’s growing population

1938—Hitler took over Austria, and then the Sudetenland (western part of Czechoslovakia), which resulted in the Sept. 1938 Munich Pact

Munich Pact—policy of appeasement by Britain and France in which they let Hitler have the Sudetenland (Hitler promised no more land grabs)

Neutrality ActsNeutrality Acts

U.S. wanted to remain neutral---U.S. wanted to remain neutral---isolationism was strongisolationism was strong

America First Committee---largest America First Committee---largest isolationist groupisolationist group

Congress passed a series of Neutrality Congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts in the 1930s aimed at keeping us out Acts in the 1930s aimed at keeping us out of warof war

Neutrality Acts (continued)Neutrality Acts (continued)

Neutrality Acts of 1935 & 1936: Neutrality Acts of 1935 & 1936: outlawed arms outlawed arms sales or loans to nations at war sales or loans to nations at war (belligerents)(belligerents)

Neutrality Act of May 1937: was passed in Neutrality Act of May 1937: was passed in response to fighting in Spain, and response to fighting in Spain, and extended the extended the ban on arms sales and loans to nations engaged ban on arms sales and loans to nations engaged in a civil warin a civil war

FDR tried to shift away from isolationismFDR tried to shift away from isolationism

Japan invaded China again in 1937 (had earlier Japan invaded China again in 1937 (had earlier invaded Manchuria in 1931—the first act of invaded Manchuria in 1931—the first act of aggression by a future Axis Power)aggression by a future Axis Power)

Since Japan had not formally declared war against Since Japan had not formally declared war against China, FDR claimed there was no need to enforce China, FDR claimed there was no need to enforce the Neutrality Actsthe Neutrality Acts

U.S. continued sending arms and supplies to U.S. continued sending arms and supplies to ChinaChina

FDR spoke out strongly against isolationism in a FDR spoke out strongly against isolationism in a speech in Oct. 1937 in Chicago called the speech in Oct. 1937 in Chicago called the “Quarantine Speech”“Quarantine Speech”

FDR’s “Quarantine Speech” / Oct. 1937FDR’s “Quarantine Speech” / Oct. 1937

FDR FDR called on peace-loving nations to “quarantine,” or called on peace-loving nations to “quarantine,” or isolate, aggressor nations in order to stop the spread of warisolate, aggressor nations in order to stop the spread of war

Isolationist newspapers exploded in protest, and many Isolationist newspapers exploded in protest, and many congressmen were isolationists, so FDR had to back offcongressmen were isolationists, so FDR had to back off

Evidence of strong support for isolationism: Evidence of strong support for isolationism: Nye Nye Committee, “merchants of death” theory, Neutrality Acts, Committee, “merchants of death” theory, Neutrality Acts, America First CommitteeAmerica First Committee

Neutrality Act of 1939---Neutrality Act of 1939---not really neutral!!not really neutral!!

WWII began when Germany invaded Poland on WWII began when Germany invaded Poland on Sept. 1, 1939Sept. 1, 1939, and Britain and France came to , and Britain and France came to Poland’s aid because they had promised military Poland’s aid because they had promised military aid in case of an attackaid in case of an attack

FDR persuaded Congress to pass a new Neutrality FDR persuaded Congress to pass a new Neutrality Act with a “cash-and-carry” provision that Act with a “cash-and-carry” provision that allowed nations at war to buy U.S. arms as long allowed nations at war to buy U.S. arms as long as they paid cash and transported them in their as they paid cash and transported them in their own shipsown ships

Providing the arms, FDR argued, would help Providing the arms, FDR argued, would help Britain & France defeat Hitler and would keep the Britain & France defeat Hitler and would keep the U.S. out of the warU.S. out of the war

Isolationists were angry!Isolationists were angry!

The Axis ThreatThe Axis Threat Tripartite Pact (Sept. 1940): Germany, Italy, and Tripartite Pact (Sept. 1940): Germany, Italy, and

Japan formed a mutual defense treaty that was Japan formed a mutual defense treaty that was aimed at keeping the U.S. out of waraimed at keeping the U.S. out of war

This was because if the U.S. declared war on any This was because if the U.S. declared war on any of the Axis powers, it would face its worse military of the Axis powers, it would face its worse military nightmare---a two-ocean war with fighting in the nightmare---a two-ocean war with fighting in the Atlantic and Pacific; this major geographical Atlantic and Pacific; this major geographical problem is what happened!problem is what happened!

Aid to U.S. AlliesAid to U.S. Allies

““Destroyers for Bases” deal (Sept. Destroyers for Bases” deal (Sept. 1940): the 1940): the U.S. traded 50 old U.S. traded 50 old destroyers for leases on British destroyers for leases on British military basesmilitary bases

Building U.S. Defenses /Building U.S. Defenses /the draftthe draft

In spite of years of isolationism, Nazi In spite of years of isolationism, Nazi victories in 1940 changed U.S. thinking, victories in 1940 changed U.S. thinking, and Congress boosted defense spending and Congress boosted defense spending at FDR’s requestat FDR’s request

Selective Training and Service Act (1940): Selective Training and Service Act (1940): first peacetime military draftfirst peacetime military draft

Picture: FDR signs the act into lawPicture: FDR signs the act into law

1940 presidential election1940 presidential election

FDR decided to break tradition and run for a third FDR decided to break tradition and run for a third term / became 1term / became 1stst president to win a third term president to win a third term

To the great disappointment of isolationists, To the great disappointment of isolationists, FDR’s Republican opponent, Wendell Willkie, FDR’s Republican opponent, Wendell Willkie, supported Roosevelt’s policy of aiding Britainsupported Roosevelt’s policy of aiding Britain

Both candidates promised to keep U.S. out of warBoth candidates promised to keep U.S. out of war FDR won—55% of the popular voteFDR won—55% of the popular vote

““The Great Arsenal of Democracy”The Great Arsenal of Democracy”

In Dec. 1940 FDR said that the U.S. In Dec. 1940 FDR said that the U.S. had to help defeat the Axis threat by had to help defeat the Axis threat by turning itself into “the great arsenal turning itself into “the great arsenal of democracy”of democracy”

Lend-Lease Plan / March 1941Lend-Lease Plan / March 1941 Britain out of $ to buy weapons by late 1940Britain out of $ to buy weapons by late 1940 FDR suggested the Lend-Lease plan: FDR suggested the Lend-Lease plan: the president would the president would

lend or lease arms and other supplies to “any country lend or lease arms and other supplies to “any country whose defense was vital to the United States”whose defense was vital to the United States”

FDR compared his plan to lending a garden hose to a FDR compared his plan to lending a garden hose to a neighbor whose house was on fire to prevent the fire from neighbor whose house was on fire to prevent the fire from spreading to your own property—the U.S. would assist the spreading to your own property—the U.S. would assist the British war effort against Germany without requiring the British war effort against Germany without requiring the U.S. to enter the warU.S. to enter the war

Gave FDR the power to sell, transfer, exchange, or lend Gave FDR the power to sell, transfer, exchange, or lend weapons and other war supplies to alliesweapons and other war supplies to allies

Isolationists opposed it, but most Americans favored itIsolationists opposed it, but most Americans favored it Congress passed it in March 1941Congress passed it in March 1941

Lend-Lease Act (continued)Lend-Lease Act (continued) Britain and the Soviet Union received the most Britain and the Soviet Union received the most

aid from the Lend-Lease program aid from the Lend-Lease program Hitler had invaded the Soviet Union in 1941Hitler had invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 Some Americans opposed sending aid to Stalin, Some Americans opposed sending aid to Stalin,

but FDR agreed with Churchill, who said, “if Hitler but FDR agreed with Churchill, who said, “if Hitler invaded hell,” the British would work with the invaded hell,” the British would work with the devil himselfdevil himself

Supply lines across the Atlantic /Supply lines across the Atlantic /German wolf packs / Battle of the AtlanticGerman wolf packs / Battle of the Atlantic

To ensure the safe delivery of Lend-Lease goods To ensure the safe delivery of Lend-Lease goods to Britain and the Soviet Union, supply lines had to Britain and the Soviet Union, supply lines had to be kept open across the Atlantic Oceanto be kept open across the Atlantic Ocean

German subs (U-boats) attacked convoy German subs (U-boats) attacked convoy shipments in a “wolf pack attack” in groups of 40shipments in a “wolf pack attack” in groups of 40

Wolf packs sank 350,000 tons in one monthWolf packs sank 350,000 tons in one month June 1941: FDR granted the navy permission to June 1941: FDR granted the navy permission to

attack German subs in self-defense; the U.S. was attack German subs in self-defense; the U.S. was in an undeclared naval war with Germanyin an undeclared naval war with Germany

Allied response to German wolf packsAllied response to German wolf packs

British British invention of sonar and radar invention of sonar and radar helped helped detect German submarinesdetect German submarines

Allies used Allies used armed destroyers armed destroyers capable of capable of attacking submarinesattacking submarines

Allies used Allies used airborne anti-submarine patrolsairborne anti-submarine patrols operating from small escort aircraft operating from small escort aircraft carrierscarriers

Allies sent Allies sent cargo ship in convoyscargo ship in convoys All of these reduced the shipping losses by All of these reduced the shipping losses by

19431943

Battle of the Atlantic (cont.)Battle of the Atlantic (cont.) Convoys were escorted across the Atlantic by Convoys were escorted across the Atlantic by

destroyers equipped with sonar for detecting subs destroyers equipped with sonar for detecting subs underwaterunderwater

Convoys were also accompanied by airplanes that Convoys were also accompanied by airplanes that used radar to spot U-boats on the ocean’s surfaceused radar to spot U-boats on the ocean’s surface

With this improved tracking, the Allies were able With this improved tracking, the Allies were able to find and destroy German U-boats faster than to find and destroy German U-boats faster than the Germans could build themthe Germans could build them

War Aims: War Aims: Atlantic Charter of Aug. 1941Atlantic Charter of Aug. 1941

FDR met secretly with Britain’s Prime FDR met secretly with Britain’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill on a battleship Minister Winston Churchill on a battleship off the Canadian coastoff the Canadian coast

Was a declaration of principles in which Was a declaration of principles in which the U.S. and Britain set forth their goals in the U.S. and Britain set forth their goals in opposing the Axis powersopposing the Axis powers

Trouble with JapanTrouble with Japan July 1941: Japan took over French military bases in July 1941: Japan took over French military bases in

Indochina (the French Vichy regime transferred Indochina (the French Vichy regime transferred control to Japan)control to Japan)

In response, to protest this act of aggression, the U.S. In response, to protest this act of aggression, the U.S. froze Japanese assets in the U.S. and imposed an oil froze Japanese assets in the U.S. and imposed an oil embargoembargo

Peace talks began between the Japanese and the Peace talks began between the Japanese and the Americans, but Japan was preparing to attackAmericans, but Japan was preparing to attack

The U.S. military had broken Japan’s secret The U.S. military had broken Japan’s secret communication codes and learned that Japan was communication codes and learned that Japan was preparing for a strike, but they didn’t know wherepreparing for a strike, but they didn’t know where

Late in Nov., FDR sent out a “war warning” to military Late in Nov., FDR sent out a “war warning” to military commanders in Hawaii, Guam, and the Philippinescommanders in Hawaii, Guam, and the Philippines

Pearl Harbor Surprise Attack: Pearl Harbor Surprise Attack: Dec. 7, 1941Dec. 7, 1941

The The Japanese attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Japanese attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl HarborHarbor, Hawaii because the U.S. was the only other , Hawaii because the U.S. was the only other major naval power in the Pacific, and the Japanese major naval power in the Pacific, and the Japanese wanted to prevent the U.S. Navy from interfering wanted to prevent the U.S. Navy from interfering with Japanese ambitions in SE Asia and the Pacificwith Japanese ambitions in SE Asia and the Pacific

Japan hoped they could end the war before the U.S. Japan hoped they could end the war before the U.S. could fully mobilizecould fully mobilize

2,400 Americans died during the attack2,400 Americans died during the attack, which , which lasted lasted less than 2 hoursless than 2 hours; ; 21 ships were sunk or damaged, 21 ships were sunk or damaged, including 8 battleships, and over 300 planes were including 8 battleships, and over 300 planes were lostlost

By chance, 3 aircraft carriers were at sea and By chance, 3 aircraft carriers were at sea and escaped the disaster, which helped us later onescaped the disaster, which helped us later on

Pearl Harbor AttackPearl Harbor Attack

FDR’s Response to Pearl HarborFDR’s Response to Pearl Harbor As the news from Hawaii came in, FDR As the news from Hawaii came in, FDR

said to his wife Eleanor, “I never wanted to said to his wife Eleanor, “I never wanted to have to fight this war on two fronts. We have to fight this war on two fronts. We haven’t the Navy to fight in both the haven’t the Navy to fight in both the Atlantic and the Pacific. . . so we will have Atlantic and the Pacific. . . so we will have to build up the Navy and the Air Force and to build up the Navy and the Air Force and that will mean we will have to take a good that will mean we will have to take a good many defeats before we can have a many defeats before we can have a victory.”victory.”

FDR’s War Message to CongressFDR’s War Message to Congress

Delivered on Dec. 8, 1941Delivered on Dec. 8, 1941 FDR said, “Yesterday, December 7, FDR said, “Yesterday, December 7,

1941, a date which will live in 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the Japanese launched an infamy, the Japanese launched an unprovoked and dastardly attack.”unprovoked and dastardly attack.”

Aftermath of Pearl HarborAftermath of Pearl Harbor Congress declared war on Japan on Dec. 8, 1941Congress declared war on Japan on Dec. 8, 1941 Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the

United StatesUnited States Pearl Harbor damaged the cause of isolationism---many Pearl Harbor damaged the cause of isolationism---many

who had been former isolationists now supported an all-out who had been former isolationists now supported an all-out American effort---isolationist senator Burton Wheeler said American effort---isolationist senator Burton Wheeler said after the attack, “The only thing now to do is to lick the hell after the attack, “The only thing now to do is to lick the hell out of them.”out of them.”

Picture: Dr. Seuss Goes to WarPicture: Dr. Seuss Goes to War