Britain Fights on Alone Britain then would stand

Britain Fights on Alone • Britain then would stand alone against Nazi Germany. • Britain’s new Prime Minister, Winston Churchill warned British citizens to prepare for what lay ahead; urging the British to stand firm.

Britain Fights on Alone • German planes would pound London and other British cities during the Battle of Britain. • British fighters took to the air with a new invention, radar, detecting the approach of Nazi planes.

Britain Fights on Alone • The British would gun down nearly 2, 000 Nazi planes. • Hitler gave up his plan for invading Britain by late 1940. • The Nazis, though still occupied most of Europe.

American Neutrality • After Hitler invaded Poland, Roosevelt announced the U. S. would remain neutral. • Roosevelt knew Americans sympathized with the Allies, but did not want to be drawn into the war. P. 1

Supplying Arms to the Allies • Just after the war broke out, Roosevelt tried to change the Neutrality Acts. • Roosevelt made a move to repeal the law banning the sale of arms to warring nations, but was blocked by isolationists. P. 6

Supplying Arms to the Allies • Roosevelt would win a compromise under a cash and carry plan. • The allies had to pay cash for their weapons and carry them off in their own ships.

Supplying Arms to the Allies • By 1940, German submarines were sinking British ships along with tons of supplies. • Churchill asked Roosevelt for ships • Roosevelt agreed and gave him 50 old American destroyers.

Supplying Arms to the Allies • In exchange Britain would give the U. S. 99 year leases on military bases in Newfoundland the Caribbean.

Preparing for War • The U. S. began taking steps preparing for war. • Congress approved more spending for the Army and Navy. • In Sept. 1940 congress passed a law that would set up the first peacetime draft.

Preparing for War • Isolationists opposed these moves, especially aid for Britain. • Most Americans thought the U. S. had no choice; If Britain fell Hitler could control all of the Atlantic.

Third Term for FDR • The threat of war convinced Roosevelt to run for a third term in 1940. • His decision to do so broke a precedent set by George Washington of serving only 2 terms.

Third Term for FDR • Republicans would run Wendell Wilkie against Roosevelt, but Roosevelt would have a clear victory on election night.