America and the Good War

World in Crisis

U.S. Responses to International World

“Good Neighbor” policy: improvement of American and L. American relations. Less interventionist

Ambivalent towards actions happening globally

Gerald Nye: presented information about reasons entering WWI; money Public actively resisting war

Global Activity

Italy: Mussolini takes control Quickly imposes a fascist government Church still remains

Germany: Hitler mobilizes Nazi party First attempt was hostile takeover, jailed Realizes needs to find another method, Chancellor 1933

Japan: Gains control of Manchuria 1931-1932 Eyes much of China and the Pacific territory

Appeasement

Hitler violates Treaty of Versailles

Territory ambitions target part of Czechoslovakia, Sudetenland

British policy established by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain: Appeasement

Giving in to Hitler's demands, for promise that no more would follow

Extra Curricular Activity

Only American confrontation in early days of tension came in the form of sports

1936 Olympics in Berlin: Jesse Owens mocks racial superiority, four gold medals

Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling rematch 1938

Americans cheering, but still not wanting to get involved in war

Roosevelt’s Friendliness

Neutrality Act, demonstration of American fears

With war in Europe, Roosevelt felt compelled to assist

Lend-Lease: “Arsenal of democracy” side stepping around Neutrality Act

War material supplied to British and Soviets

War Waging in Europe

U.S. still struggling with the Depression

Supplying of ammunitions and military vehicles provides a boost

Employment rates on the rise

Day of Infamy

Dec. 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor bombed

U.S. in the war now

Hitler makes decision easier for FDR

Immediate changes made to system Creation of Joint Chiefs of Staff: better

communication Office of Strategic Services: forerunner of CIA

We are In the War Now

Workforce altered; men off to fight

Increase in inflation almost immediately

Gov’t encouraging women to go to work

Ethnic minorities able to experience social mobility to some degree

Social Changes and Tensions

Mainstream values under fire during wartime activity

Challenges to attitudes regarding race and gender

Need forced some tolerance

Minorities and WWII

Hispanic population initially saw more employment opportunities

Braceros: “guest workers”

Increasing numbers of families moving from farms to urban centers

Own neighborhoods and culture developing

Great numbers men and women supporting war effort working in factories

Racial tensions not gone: Zoot Suit Riots

Cont…

NAACP and African American Press pressure FDR

Tuskegee Institute established

Opportunity to debunk racial stereotypes

Segregation still strong

450 trained pilots flew missions in N. Africa

Destroyed 261 enemy aircraft

Won 850 medals

Provided bomber escorts for 1500 missions

Cont…

Women saw changes at home and abroad

Roles at home changed drastically, single parent and working outside of home

Women’s roles to be noncombatant

WASP: Women Air force Service Pilots

Executive Order 9066

For the safety of our nation

Japanese families across the West ordered to leave homes and live in camps

Years of anti-Japanese sentiment has an outlet

Service

300,000 Mexican Americans join armed forces

1 million African Americans serve; live, work in segregated units

• 13,000 Chinese Americans

33,000 Japanese Americans serve

• 25,000 Native Americans enlist

Over 300,000 women