“the peace, the freedom, and the security of ninety percent of the population of the world is...
TRANSCRIPT
World War II Erupts
The United States Enters the War
“The peace, the freedom, and the security of ninety percent of the population of the world is being jeopardized by the remaining ten percent
who are threatening a breakdown of all international order and law.”
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, October 5, 1937
Focus Your Thoughts . . .
Hitler has successfully taken over nearly all of Europe at this point in the war, yet the United
States continues to maintain their neutral stance on the war . . .
Why might this be?
What ideas/mentalities/domestic issues might be contributing to this?
What event will eventually lead to U.S. involvement in World War II?
American Isolationism
Many Americans were still questioning what the Allies’ costly victory in WWI had actually achieved
Both liberals and conservatives supported isolationism; this is why we did not join the League of Nations
Isolations are not necessarily pacifists!
What’s a Pacifist?
Pacifists are people who do not believe in the use of military force
Most Americans remained ready to defend their country and its interests, we simply wanted to choose the time and place for such action
FDR and Isolationism
FDR was NOT an isolationist; in fact, he had supported the League of Nations after WWI, but his primary focus was the Great Depression › Foreign affairs had to take a back seat
After the Great Depression
Congress remained isolationist, and passed measures to prevent involvement in foreign affairs› The Neutrality Act
Passed in 1935, this law was meant to prevent the nation from being drawn into war Among other things, this legislation outlawed
making loans or exporting tools of war to any warring nations or their ports
Balancing Isolation and Intervention
Circumstances overseas had started to take an alarming turn, and it was difficult not to take notice
When Mussolini invaded Ethiopia, Roosevelt was deeply concerned, and cut off arms sales with Italy
During the Spanish Civil War, strict neutrality meant not supplying either side with arms› This gave a decisive advantage to the Fascists, who
were being heavily supplied by the Italians and Germans
Balancing Isolation and Intervention
When Japan invaded China in 1937, FDR decided it was time, at the very least, to speak out
FDR compared the spread of war to the spread of a contagious disease; urged United States to work with “peace-loving” countries to quarantine aggressive nations› Quarantine Speech
Preparing for War
Many Americans were upset with the Quarantine Speech; they felt it encouraged war
Accused FDR of calling upon the U.S. to “police a world that chooses to follow insane leaders”
Cash and Carry Laws› Passed after Hitler invaded Poland› Allowed countries at war to purchase American goods
again, so long as they used cash› Congress hoped this would slow Hitler’s advance
It did not . . . we then resorted to providing “all aid short of war”
More Developments
FDR runs for an unprecedented third term
The Lend-Lease Act is passed› The U.S. began supplying G.B. with weapons
whether they could pay for them or not
The Atlantic Charter› Winston Churchill and FDR meet in secret› Agree that the shared goal of the U.S. & G.B.
is to oppose Hitler and his allies
The American Reaction
Americans were becoming increasingly alarmed with FDR’s actions
The U.S. is looking more and more like a nation at war
Germany is taking notice as well and begins attacking American destroyers attempting to deliver supplies under the LLA› USS Kearny (eleven Americans died)› USS Reuben (100 + Americans died)
Japan v the United States
By 1941, war with Japan is looking very likely
Not only are we still at odds over the Indochina dispute; but Japan has joined the Axis Powers, and their new prime minister, Hideki Tojo, was openly hostile towards the U.S.
It’s no longer a question of if . . . but when . . . and where
American officials believed that Japan might attack bases in the Philippines or British bases in Southeast Asia
We continued to attempt negotiations with Japan, but were fairly sure an attack was on the horizon
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
For months, Japan had been planning a surprise attack on the U.S.› Pearl Harbor
Home to the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet
Called for Japanese aircraft carriers to approach the island of Oahu; Japanese war planes would lift off from the carriers and destroy as many ships and planes as possible
At the time, Pearl Harbor was not under the control of a specific commander and was inadequately prepared to defend an attack› Japan was able to approach Pearl Harbor undetected
December 7, 1941
The attack began as the sun rose on Sunday morning; complete surprise
Most American fighter planes didn’t even make it off the ground; they were destroyed before they ever moved, along with the warships anchored in the harbor
The Japanese attack lasted barely two hours; by the time it was over, the Pacific Fleet was destroyed
Pearl Harbor
The Aftermath
Four of eight battleships were sunk; the remaining four were severely damaged
Almost 200 aircraft were destroyed; many more were damaged
2,400 + Americans were dead
This was a complete defeat for the U.S.› Japan lost fewer than thirty
aircraft and only a handful of submarines
The American Reaction
Americans responded with fear and outrage
Rumors began to spread that Japan was going to invade the west coast; barbed wire was strung down the beaches of California
Xenophobia permeated America; people began to fear Japanese Americans would secretly assist in an invasion
On December 8, 1941, a furious FDR asked Congress for a declaration of war, since Japan couldn’t be bothered to issue one prior to their surprise attack
Three days later, Italy and Germany declared war on the United States› The United States is now officially a member of the Allied Powers