Entry Task If you were alive at the time, would you be an isolationist or an internationalist? Why? Describe Nazi prejudices against Jews and early persecution of German Jews Many Jews in Germany tried to leave but could not. Explain several reasons why they couldnt escape and what were some ways that people tried. 19-4 America Enters the War Learning targets: Explain how FDR helped Britain while maintaining official neutrality Trace the events that led to increasing tensions, and ultimately war, between the US & Japan The Neutrality Act of 1939 FDR convinced Congress to allow arms sales to allies Warring nations could buy weapons from the US, but only if they paid cash and carried the arms on their own ships Americans were split about the war: Groups like the America First Committee, were strongly isolationist. Charles Lindbergh was a member The Fight for Freedom Committee wanted the Neutrality Acts repealed and the US to act against Germany In 1940 Congress passed the Lend Lease Act It allowed the US to lend or lease weapons to countries considered vital to the defense of the US In other words, the US could send weapons to Britain if they paid for them after the war FDR established the Hemispheric Defense Zone US navy would locate them for the British Atlantic Charter In 1941, FDR and Churchill met to decide what the postwar world would look like They agreed to promote democracy, and non- aggression Throughout 1941, tensions were high between German subs and the US navy Meanwhile, in Asia Japan invades China in 1937 US public opinion turned against the Japanese after the Rape of Nanking, which killed 200,000 Chinese civilians Desperate to obtain raw materials, Japan invades French Indochina (Vietnam) in 1940 The US responds by cutting off shipments of machine parts, and in 1941, oil Japan received 80% of its oil from the US The Path to War The Japanese were faced with a dilemma: Either abandon their war with China and be humiliated or take the natural resources from South East Asia Japan believed any move against S.E. Asia would cause the US to respond militarily Why did Japan attack the US? They attacked the US Pacific fleet to get them out of the way for an invasion of the Dutch East Indies so that Japan could continue its war with China On December 7, 1941 Japan attacked the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor Hawaii The Japanese attacked with six aircraft carriers and 408 planes 8 battleships were hit, including the USS Arizona which was destroyed with 1177 killed However, no US aircraft carriers were at Pearl Harbor that day Aircraft carriers would prove to be the decisive weapon in the Pacific war USS Arizona magazine explodes USS Arizona Memorial 2403 Americans died 18 ships were sunk 188 aircraft destroyed The Following day FDR gave his Date which will live in Infamy Speech and the congress declared war on Japan The speech helped to rally Americans to the fight