The US Enters the War Chapter 23 Section

The US Enters the War Chapter 23 Section 3

The Main Idea Isolationist feeling in the United States was strong in the 1930 s, but Axis aggression eventually destroyed it and pushed the United States into war.

United States Isolationism in the 1930 s Many Americans questioned whatinthe The desire Roosevelt was to avoid not an involvement isolationist; Allies’ in World I foreigncostly however, wars he victory was focused known ason War solving had actually achieved. Anti-League isolationism. problems at home Isolationists by implementing were not of Nation soared as people did necessarily his Newfeelings Deal pacifists. programs. Most Congress believed thatsimply themeasures League might isolationists pass isolationist wanted such to drag as the United. America’s States future to wars. Neutrality Act ininto 1935. preserve freedom choose the time and place for action.

Isolationism versus Intervention Why do you think the Neutrality Act prohibited Intervention Isolationism the export of arms, or any other w The Neutrality Act ammunition, w When Italy invaded prohibited the sale of Ethiopia, Roosevelt tools of war to any country that was at war? arms or making loans stopped arms sales to to warring countries. both countries—which hurt only Italy. w Roosevelt needed the Might lead that country’s enemies to attack the support of isolationists w Roosevelt did not want US, indraw US into nations at war is Congress. Theywar, aiding to remain neutral—he wanted remain waswar. worried about the a form of to participation in the neutral. aggressive actions of totalitarian leaders. w The United States did not intervene in the w Roosevelt began to Spanish Civil War or the speak out against Japanese invasion of neutrality with his China. Quarantine Speech.

The United States Prepares for War w Roosevelt asked Congress for money to build new naval vessels. – Congress approved despite isolationist complaints. w Congress changed the neutrality laws to a new policy called cash-and-carry. – Countries at war could buy American goods if they paid cash and picked up their goods at American ports. w Roosevelt urged a policy of “all aid short of war. ” – He traded 50 aging warships for eight British military bases. Isolationists opposed the deal, but were too weak to stop it.

Preparing for War What was the Lend-Lease Act? Roosevelt and Winston Churchill met Roosevelt defeated wanted tobusiness make the United secretly They agreed toleader the It was an in act 1941. of Congress that allowed U. S. to Atlantic document Wendell States an. Charter. Willkie “arsenal for of democracy. ” an send weapons to Great. This Britain whether they proclaimed the shared of United unprecedented Congress third term Lend-Lease asthe president. could pay forpassed them orthe not. goals States and Britain in opposing Hitler He felt Act, which world allowed events the required nation toand send his Allies. experience weapons toin. Great the White Britain. House. Despite German U-boat attacks on U. S. ships trying to deliver goods under the Lend-Lease Act, isolationists continued to oppose entry into the war.

THE ATLANTIC CHARTER w Roosevelt and Churchill met secretly aboard a warship off the coast of Newfoundland. w Churchill had come hoping to get a military commitment from the US. w Instead he got something called the Atlantic Charter. w The two leaders spelled out the causes for which WWII was fought. This was even before the US had entered the war.

The Charter Pledged w Seek no territorial expansion w Pursue no territorial changes without the consent of the inhabitants w Respect the right of all people to choose their own form of government w Promote free trade among nations w Encourage international cooperation to improve peoples lives w Build a secure peace based on freedom from want and fear w Work fro disarmament of aggressors w Establish a “permanent system of general security”

More about the Charter w Later that year the charter became the basis of a new document called “A Declaration by the United Nations. w The declaration was signed by 26 nations, including the Soviet Union and China. w Churchill said that these groups represented 4/5 of the human race.

BUILDING AMERICA’S DEFENSES w Roosevelt started to ask congress to spend more money on defense. w The US had been very isolated for years and the military was fairly week. w 18 countries had larger armies. w The navy could barely protect the Panama Canal. w Italy had a better Air Force than the US. w In response Congress dramatically increased spending on the military. w It also passed the nations first peacetime selective service act. w 16 million men between the ages of 21 -35 were registered.

JAPAN’S AMBITIONS had Pacific long dreamed of of creating vast colonial w Japan Only the Islands Guama and the empire that would stretchthe from Manchuria and Philippines that were United States. south Thailand Indonesia. w China The US didtocut off trade with Japan to w They started dreaminto when they invaded protest their moving Indochina. Manchuria in 1931 and China in 1937. w This was big because Japan relied on fuel w They expand even it more wouldloose have from wanted the UStoand without theybutcould to into land held by France, Britain, thegowar. Netherlands, and the US. w Japan’s leaders felt that the trade embargo w By 1941 they had moved into Indochina and had would have to be lifted or they would need no resistance because France, Britain and the oil fields of the Indies. Netherlands were busy. Dutch fighting. East Hitler. w New Japanese General Hideki Tojo told the emperor that he was going to try and keep the Peace with the US.

JAPAN’S AMBITIONS Why was Pearl Targeted w If peace failed. Harbor they would haveby nothe choice but to go to war. Japanese? On the daytothat were flying to Itwwas home the US Japanese Naval Fleet. Roosevelt told his friend Washington to talk peace Tojo started and advisor Henry preparing for an attack. w The US had broken the Japanese secret Hopkins that this meant communication codes and knew that Japan was planning an attack but didn’t know war. when and where. w The peace talks went on for a month and then on Dec. 6, 1941 Japan quit talking and left.

Attack on Pearl Harbor Effects Causes w Americans reacted to w Conflict between the news of the Pearl Japan and the Harbor attack with United States over anger and fear. French Indochina w Californians reported w Japan’s alliance with seeing submarines off the Pacific coast. Germany and Italy w Some Americans w Japan’s prime feared that Japanese minister, Hideki Americans would Tojo, was hostile assist an invasion of towards the United the mainland. States. Germany The United and States Italy declared war on the Japan. States. United

The Attack on Pearl Harbor Do you think the Japanese would Defenses The Attack have dared attack the US w U. S military planners w On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked. believed an attack on mainland? Pearl Harbor was w Aircraft carriers approached the island No, possible. because it was too far from Japan and of Oahu. w Forces at the base were Japanese couldn’t expect toplanes surprise orwith w War loaded unprepared to defend it. bombs and torpedoes succeed. w No single commander left the carriers and was in charge. destroyed American Yes, because Japanese wanted inflict as ships and to planes. w Routine defensive steps weredamage not in place. w Theon attack lasted 2 much as possible their hours. enemies.

The Aftermath w The attack had all but destroyed most of the Pacific Fleet that was stationed at Pearl Harbor. w All 8 battleships were damaged; 4 were sunk. w Nearly 350 aircraft were destroyed. w Some 2, 400 Americans were dead. w 1, 178 wounded w Japan lost only a handful of submarines and fewer than 30 planes w These losses constituted more damage than the US Navy had suffered in all of WWI.