Transcript US Entry into WWII

US Entry into WWII
1935-1941
Possible Reasons for US Involvement
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Defending the world against fascism
Stopping the German holocaust
Revenge against the Japanese
Promoting democracy/freedom in the world
Protecting American economic/strategic allies
• Important date: December 7, 1941
Defending the world against fascism
US firmly entrenched in isolationism
US fails to act in major conflicts
Japan invades Manchuria (1931)
Rape of Nanking
US begin embargo 1937/cuts trade 1939
Italy invades Ethiopia (1935)
Fascist side with the Spanish Nationalists (1936-1937)
Guernica
Congress passes Neutrality Acts (1935-1937)
Did not include oil/steel
Europeans rely on policy of appeasement to stop Hitler
Austria (1938)
Czechoslovakia (1938-9)
Poland (1939)
Defending the world against fascism
After France/Britain declare war, US begins to make policy
changes
1939 Repeal neutrality acts
“Cash and Carry policy”
France falls 1940
Destroyers for bases deal (1940)
Bombing campaigns of Britain (1941)
Lend Lease Act (1941)
Atlantic Charter (August 1941)
US/Britain meet in secret to discuss war goals
Charter becomes basis for United Nations
Stopping the German holocaust
Germany had for years shown increasing hostility towards
their Jewish population and other minorities
Nuremberg Laws (1935-1938)
Kristallnacht (November 1938)
Final Solution (1939 on)
US knew of Hitler’s plans
Jewish refugees flee to US
US increased immigration restrictions
St. Louis
Request to bomb death camps denied
US propaganda refuses to acknowledge death camps, US
troops shocked to find mass graves/survivors
Revenge against Japan
Pearl Harbor draws the US into the war
Previous provocations had failed (Greer incident)
Becomes dominant propaganda theme
Japan was a clear threat
Taken several US territories
Directly attacked US soil (1st time since 1812)
US chose to focus attention on Europe
Strategy attack Europe before focusing on Japan
US moves to Northern Africa first
Protect British and French colonies
Planned assault of Italy then attack from England
Angered USSR allies
Turning point in Europe: Stalingrad in 1943
Promoting democracy/freedom in the world
US helps Britain/France regain colonial possessions
Promises France to help regain colonies in Southeast
Asia (Vietnam)
US occupations after the war
Japan
Germany (power struggle with USSR)
US blocks democratic socialist movements across Europe
Election in France
Greek Civil War
Turkey