Post on 14-Dec-2015
American Involvement:
The U.S. Helps Its Allies
Hitler was busy taking over Europe
1939America declares its neutrality
Although isolationist feelings were strong, many Americans sympathized with those who battled the Axis Powers
President Roosevelt found ways to go around the Neutrality Acts
He wanted to find a ways to provide aid, including warships, to Britain as it stood alone against Hitler
Lend-Lease Act• Passed in1941 by
Roosevelt/Congress• Sell or lend war
materials to “any country whose
defense the President deems vital to the
defense of the U.S.”: Countries of
democracy/freedom • Supplied arms to those
who were fighting for freedom
Atlantic Charter
• Aug. 9, 1941: Roosevelt (U.S.) and Churchill (G.B.) met secretly on a battleship
• Set goals for the war: “the final destruction of the Nazi tyranny”
• Right for people to choose their government
• Free Trade• “Permanent system of
general security” • Becomes the Allies’
peace plan at the end of WWII
• September 4, 1941, U.S. destroyer: Greer was heading back from Newfoundland to Iceland.•German U-boat fires on the U.S. destroyer: Greer•President Roosevelt issues orders to "shoot on sight" any warships within "our defensive waters." •U.S. & Germany involved in undeclared naval war