March 10, 2015 Aim: How did WWII challenge the U.S.’s tradition of neutrality?

Do Now: Answer:

1. What document officially ended WWI?

2. What country failed to ratify it?

3. What country was forced to pay reparations as a result of that document?

FDR’s Foreign Policy

• Formal recognition of the Soviet Union (1933)

– Open trade

– Concern over Germany

• Reciprocal Trade Agreements (1934)

– Lowered tariffs

U.S. Neutrality

• Neutrality Acts (35, 36, 37)

• “cash and carry”

– Favored Britain

• Lend-Lease Act

– Permitted Britain to obtain U.S. arms on credit

• Atlantic Charter

– Secret U.S. & Britain plan for peace after the war

Debates over America’s role in the world

• Interventionists (WWII):

– Committee to Defend America- advocated aid to allies, especially Great Britain

• Isolationists:

– America First Committee - AGAINST US intervention in WWII

– Charles Lindbergh, Robert Taft (Ohio)

December 7, 1941 - Pearl Harbor

• Japanese surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

• 1,100 killed, 1,200 wounded

• Congress declared war – December 8, 1941

Pearl Harbor Memorial, Hawaii USS Arizona beneath

The Decision to use the Atomic Bomb • Albert Einstein – persuaded FDR to develop an

atomic bomb before the Nazis.

• April 12, 1945 – FDR died after12 years in office.

FDR’s Funeral Procession, Washington, D.C.

The Decision to use the Atomic Bomb, cont’d

FDR’s successor, Harry Truman faced a terrible choice:

• Order a ground invasion of Japan – Estimated 1 million American casualties.

OR • Use an atomic bomb on Japan.

August 6, 1945 – Atomic Bomb exploded over Hiroshima

“Little Boy”

August 9, 1945 – Atomic Bomb exploded over Nagasaki

“Fat Man” About 100,000 were killed in each explosion. Japan surrenders shortly after the second explosion.

Legacy of WWII

• United Nations

– New peacekeeping organization

– U.S. becomes a permanent member of the security council

• Expectations

– U.S. and Soviet Union are the new world superpowers

Doc Practice – Do HIPPO

H: World War 2 I: American women P: Women can support their men fighting overseas P: Convince women they had an essential role in the war effort

Outside Info: “Rosie the Riveter” Women worked in munitions and aviation (WASPS) Paid far less than their male counterparts