U.S. Entry to WWII

The U.S.A. enters WWII

The U.S.A. enters WWII

The Neutrality Act of 1939 confirmed the U.S. position of neutrality but FDR and many

Americans wanted to support the British

The U.S. was willing to sell weapons to Britain but under strict “cash-carry”

regulations

The Neutrality Act of 1939 confirmed the U.S. position of neutrality but FDR and many

Americans wanted to support the British

The U.S. was willing to sell weapons to Britain but under strict “cash-carry”

regulations

The Destroyers-for-

bases deal

The Destroyers-for-

bases dealIn early 1940, Churchill pleaded with

FDR to provide Britain with old destroyers to Britain so the German

navy could be kept in check

FDR sent 50 destroyers to Britain in exchange for the U.S. to have the right to build naval bases in British colonies

Obviously, the U.S. was supporting the Allies

In early 1940, Churchill pleaded with FDR to provide Britain with old

destroyers to Britain so the German navy could be kept in check

FDR sent 50 destroyers to Britain in exchange for the U.S. to have the right to build naval bases in British colonies

Obviously, the U.S. was supporting the Allies

Public Opinion in the U.S.A.

Public Opinion in the U.S.A.

Americans were split on whether to get involved in the war in Europe

The Fight for Freedom Committee believed the U.S. military needed to get

involved

The Committee to Defend America wanted to send financial support to the Allies

The America First Committee wanted no involvement whatsoever

Americans were split on whether to get involved in the war in Europe

The Fight for Freedom Committee believed the U.S. military needed to get

involved

The Committee to Defend America wanted to send financial support to the Allies

The America First Committee wanted no involvement whatsoever

FDR wins the election of 1940, the first and only time a president was elected three

times!

FDR wins the election of 1940, the first and only time a president was elected three

times!

The Lend-Lease Act

(1940)

The Lend-Lease Act

(1940)

Because Britain had no cash, FDR came up with

an idea to provide weapons, vehicles and supplies to the British

Because Britain had no cash, FDR came up with

an idea to provide weapons, vehicles and supplies to the British

Under Lend-Lease, the U.S. contributed more than $40,000,000,000 to the Allies, mostly

Britain but also to the U.S.S.R. as well, because.........

Under Lend-Lease, the U.S. contributed more than $40,000,000,000 to the Allies, mostly

Britain but also to the U.S.S.R. as well, because.........

Hitler’s desire for lebensraum for the German people gave him the brilliant idea of

invading the U.S.S.R.! In June 1941, the Nazis invaded and Britain and the U.S.

supported the U.S.S.R. even though they were anti-Communist and did not trust Stalin

Hitler’s desire for lebensraum for the German people gave him the brilliant idea of

invading the U.S.S.R.! In June 1941, the Nazis invaded and Britain and the U.S.

supported the U.S.S.R. even though they were anti-Communist and did not trust Stalin

In August 1941, FDR and Churchill met and created the Atlantic Charter. This created a plan for a world of democratic governments, non-aggression, free trade and freedom of

the seas

In August 1941, FDR and Churchill met and created the Atlantic Charter. This created a plan for a world of democratic governments, non-aggression, free trade and freedom of

the seas

In the fall of 1941, the German navy began attacking U.S. ships that were providing

information to the British. 115 U.S. sailors were killed when German torpedoes sank

their ship

In the fall of 1941, the German navy began attacking U.S. ships that were providing

information to the British. 115 U.S. sailors were killed when German torpedoes sank

their ship

While it seemed like Germany would cause the U.S. to enter WWII, it was actually the Japanese that forced U.S. involvement in

WWII

While it seemed like Germany would cause the U.S. to enter WWII, it was actually the Japanese that forced U.S. involvement in

WWII

The U.S. feared that Japan was planning to attack Britain’s colonies in Asia, so the U.S. refused to send iron, steel and oil to Japan

beginning in 1939. The Japanese then made an alliance with Germany and Italy.

The U.S. feared that Japan was planning to attack Britain’s colonies in Asia, so the U.S. refused to send iron, steel and oil to Japan

beginning in 1939. The Japanese then made an alliance with Germany and Italy.

The U.S. also sent lend-lease aid to China to slow the Japanese advance. FDR refused to lift the embargo against Japan until Japan

made peace with China and promised not to invade British colonies in Asia.

The U.S. also sent lend-lease aid to China to slow the Japanese advance. FDR refused to lift the embargo against Japan until Japan

made peace with China and promised not to invade British colonies in Asia.

Pearl Harbor attacked!

7 December, 1941

Pearl Harbor attacked!

7 December, 1941

The U.S. suspected that the Japanese might attack the U.S.

forces in the Philippines, but what happened was a surprise

The U.S. suspected that the Japanese might attack the U.S.

forces in the Philippines, but what happened was a surprise

In the early morning hours of 7 December, 1941, Japanese

planes sank or damaged 21 U.S. ships and killed 2,400 Americans

In the early morning hours of 7 December, 1941, Japanese

planes sank or damaged 21 U.S. ships and killed 2,400 Americans

On 8 December, 1941 FDR asked for a declaration of war against

Japan. The Congress voted 470-1 in favor of going to war with

Japan

On 8 December, 1941 FDR asked for a declaration of war against

Japan. The Congress voted 470-1 in favor of going to war with

Japan

On 11 December, 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the

U.S.A. due to their alliance with Japan. The world was truly at

war now.

On 11 December, 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the

U.S.A. due to their alliance with Japan. The world was truly at

war now.