America Moves Toward War

Big Questions

As we discuss the steps the United States took to help its allies before going to war, think about the following: Did the United States abandon its neutrality too

late? Should the United States have done more to help its allies in the early stages of the war, or did FDR make the right decisions?

The United States Musters Its Forces

Neutrality Acts “cash and carry”

Peacetime Draft Third Term Too little to late?

The Axis Powers

Axis Powers Tripartite Pact

This alliance was formed to discourage the United States from entering the war; if US attacked any of them, the rest would come to help

The Great Arsenal of Democracy

What happens if Great Britain Falls?

Lend-lease agreement – US would lend war material to any country whose defense was important to protecting the US – Great Britain, Soviet Union, and eventually China

Hitler Invades the Soviet Union

In June 1941, Hitler broke his non-aggression pact with Soviet Union and invaded it

Soon Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin will all be allies – Allied Powers

Churchill + FDR Atlantic Charter

No territorial expansion No territorial changes without consent of inhabitants Respect the right of people to choose their own form of gov. Promote free trade among nations Encourage international cooperation to improve peoples lives Build a secure peace based on freedom from want and fear Work for the disarmament of aggressors Establish a permanent system of general security

Japanese Ambitions in the Pacific Ocean Japanese started by invading

China (Manchuria) European colonies in Aisa

US in way US cuts of trade esp. oil If Japan couldn’t re-establish

the flow of oil to its country, then they would lose the war without ever being defeated in battle

War Is Coming…

Hideki Tojo promised to Japanese emperor that Japan would avoid war with United States if possible

November 5, 1941 – Tojo orders Japanese navy to prepare for an attack on the United States

US broke Japanese codes and was reading their messages

December 6, 1941 – US intercepts message to Japanese peace envoy to reject all American peace proposals

FDR – “This means war.”

Japanese Attack Pearl Harbor