America and World War II

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America and World War II
From Neutrality to Involvement
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After World War I

• Many people wanted to avoid getting involved in
  Europes problems again

• The US voluntarily went back to a state of
  isolationism

• During the Depression, the US government looked
  for a way to cut spending save money

• People believed in saving American economy first

• This resulted in a series of Neutrality Acts in
  the 1930s

• With no need for a large military funding
  could be reduced

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Neutrality Acts

• Designed to prevent involvement in others
  problems (WWI) maintain isolationism

• Designed to stop military spending use it
  elsewhere to help economy

• Pres. Roosevelt was concerned that it would
  limit Americas ability to support its allies in
  Europe

• Under pressure from Congress and the opinions of
  most Americans, FDR reluctantly signed the Acts
  into law

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Neutrality Acts 1935-1937

• (1935) Forbade the trading of arms and war
  materials to those involved in a declared war

• (1935) American citizens traveling on warring
  ships did so at own risk (Lusitania)

• (1936) Banned loans and credits to warring
  nations no money help

• (1937) US ships cant transport passengers or
  articles to warring nations

• (1937) US citizens cant travel on ships of
  warring nations

• (1937) Cash and Carry law added

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Cash and Carry Law (1937 and 1939)

• 1937 Cash and Carry law explained

• Gave President ability to sell non-arms to
  warring nations provided that

• Those nations transported the items on their own
  ships and pay on the spot (no credit)

• FDR wanted to be able to support GB and Fr if
  Germany became aggressive

• (1939) Germany invaded Poland and GB and Fr
  declared war on Germany

• FDR claimed the Neutrality Acts would help
  Germany win the war

• 1939 Congress allowed FDR to sell war goods
  under Cash and Carry

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Neutrality Ends Lend Lease 1941

• Lend-Lease Act was passed (March 1941)

• Allowed US to sell, lend or give war materials
  to Allied nations (GB and Ru)

• FDR said, We must save Britain!

• German subs began sinking US ships

• FDR ordered US ships to fire upon any
  German/Italian war vessel in our waters

• With that order, Neutrality Acts ended

• US merchant ships were now armed and could carry
  any cargo they wanted

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America First Committee

• Group who believed that the US should stay
  Neutral during the growing war

• Wanted to force FDR to follow the 1939
  Neutrality Act

• Believed FDR was lying to the American people
  he wanted to get US into war

• AFC supporters helped block Lend-Lease for two
  years before it was passed

• AFC believed American Democracy can only be
  protected by staying out of the war

• At its height, had over 800,000 members

• Disbanded after the Japanese attack at Pearl
  Harbor

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US - Japanese Relations

• Japan had invaded Manchuria in 1931 and China in
  1937

• The US was a strong trade partner of China at
  the time

• Because neither side officially declared war,
  FDR could send supplies to China using British
  ships

• US stopped exporting aircraft to Japan and cut
  off oil trade as well opposed by AFC

Japan

• FDR moved Navy to Hawaii and ordered a military
  buildup in the Philippines

Philippines
Hawaii

• Japan believed the US was preparing for a war
  and decided they would attack first Pearl Harbor