14.2 From Isolation to Involvement

ObjectivesUnderstand the course of the early years of

WWII in EuropeDescribe FDRs foreign policy in the mid-

1930s and the great debate between interventionists and isolationists

Explain how the U.S. became more involved in the conflict

FDR Opposes AggressionViolence in Japan-Rape of Nanjing

Japan attacked without declaring war-Shanghai and Nanjing

FDR criticized but did nothing Created informal alliance of peace loving nations

War Erupts in EuropeHitler violates Munich Pact and takes rest of

CzechoslovakiaBritain and France see need to take action

Britain saw that Hitler was going to take PolandPact with Poland—aid if Hitler attacked

Hitler concerned with Soviet UnionNazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact 1939

Publicly-agreed not to attack each other Privately-agreed to invade Poland

BlitzkriegHitler attacked Poland early Sept. 1, 1930

from 3 directionsBlitzkrieg-sudden attack “lighting war”Took out Poland’s air forceSept. 17-SU invades from eastFrance and Britain declare war on Germany

—do nothing for PolandPoland falls

France FallsAxis powers: Germany, Italy, Japan Allies: Britain, France, and eventually SU,

US, and ChinaApril and May 1940-Germany attacks and

conquers 5 countriesEyes on France next

France set up forts and armies along borders where Germany attacked in WWI

France Falls Cont.Germany attacked through Ardennes

mountains to the English Channel to corner France and Britain Troops escaped to Britain from Dunkirk port

“miracle at Dunkirk”Winston Churchill=new Prime Minister of

Britain, warned that wars are not won by evacuations

France divided… occupied France (North), Vichy France (small southern area)

Hitler Swaggers into Paris, 1940The fall of France to German forces in June 1940 was a galling blow to French pride and convinced many Americans that their country must mobilize to defeat the Nazi menace.

Battle of BritainChurchill was ready for battleHitler: Operation Sea Lion-invasion of

Britain, July 1940Air force battle over English Channel and

Britain Britain lost 1,000 planes, Germans 1,700

Month long bombing campaign “the blitz” British held on, Hitler postponed

Americans Debate InvolvementIsolationists-Majority of Americans opposed warNeutrality Acts of 1935,36,37

Restrictions of Americans during times of warSelling munitions and arms, sailing on ships

owned by nations at warInterventionists:

FDR wanted to interveneNeutrality Act of 1939

Cash and Carry-Allowed nations at war to buy goods and arms from the U.S. if they paid cash and carried on their own ships

FDR Inches to InvolvementReports from London convinced many

Americans that the U.S. should at least prepareSelective Service Act (draft)FDR gave Britain 50 WWI battle ships in

exchange for 8 defense bases Tripartite Pact

Germany, Italy, Japan became allies

Cont…FDR re-elected 1940

Increased support for Britain “four freedoms” in danger

Lend Lease Act 1941Authorized FDR to “sell, transfer title to,

exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of, to any such gov. any defense article” when in the best interest of the U.S.

Economic declaration of war

Atlantic CharterFDR and Churchill met secretly on warship

off the coast of NewfoundlandAtlantic Charter:

Endorsed national self-determination and an international system of “general security”

Deepened alliance between countries

Germany Attacks American SubsHitler knew we were supporting the AlliesFall 1941-German U-boats attacked U.S. ships

USS Greer, Kearny, and sunk the USS Reuben James

U.S. still neutral but FDR game orders to attack boats

Nov. 1941 Germany at war with SU and we were not far behind