Rearmament

RearmamentNeutrality Act of 1939- European democracies can buy American war materials, but only on a cash and carry basis.September 6, 1940- Congress passes first peacetime conscription law. 1.2 million troops and 800,000 reserves to be trained each year.

Helping BritainDestroyer Deal (1940)- Britain receives 50 World War I destroyers in return for eight naval bases.Lend-Lease (March 1941)- Lending or leasing American arms to European democracies and they will be returned after the war. Sent about $50 billion worth of material by 1945.Viewed by Hitler as an unofficial declaration of war.

Atlantic CharterAfter Hitler invades the Soviet Union, Lend-Lease is extended to the Soviets.August 1941- Churchill and FDR meet off the coast of Newfoundland.Opposed imperialistic annexations.Self-determinationDeclared for disarmament and a peace of security pending a new League of Nations.

Panay IncidentJapanese pilots sink an American gunboat, the Panay, off the coast of ChinaThe government in Tokyo apologized and paid the United States for the incident, but the relationship continued to deteriorate as treatment of American civilians in China worsened

Japanese-American RelationsIn July 1941, the Japanese begin to take French military bases in Indochina.In response, the U.S. cuts off trade with Japan, including an embargo on OIL.Without oil, Japan could not fuel its war machine.At this point, from Japans perspective, war is inevitable.