14.2 From Isolation to Involvement

1. 14.2 From Isolation to Involvement

2. Objectives • Understand the course of the early years of WWII in Europe • Describe 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

3. FDR Opposes Aggression • Violence 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

4. War Erupts in Europe • Hitler violates Munich Pact and takes rest of Czechoslovakia • Britain and France see need to take action • Britain saw that Hitler was going to take Poland • Pact with Poland—aid if Hitler attacked • Hitler concerned with Soviet Union • Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact 1939 • Publicly-agreed not to attack each other • Privately-agreed to invade Poland

5. Blitzkrieg • Hitler attacked Poland early Sept. 1, 1930 from 3 directions • Blitzkrieg-sudden attack “lighting war” • Took out Poland’s air force • Sept. 17-SU invades from east • France and Britain declare war on Germany—do nothing for Poland • Poland falls

6. France Falls • Axis powers: Germany, Italy, Japan • Allies: Britain, France, and eventually SU, US, and China • April and May 1940-Germany attacks and conquers 5 countries • Eyes on France next • France set up forts and armies along borders where Germany attacked in WWI

8. 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)

9. 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.

11. Battle of Britain • Churchill was ready for battle • Hitler: Operation Sea Lion-invasion of Britain, July 1940 • Air 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

12. Americans Debate Involvement • Isolationists-Majority of Americans opposed war • Neutrality Acts of 1935,36,37 • Restrictions of Americans during times of war • Selling munitions and arms, sailing on ships owned by nations at war • Interventionists: • FDR wanted to intervene • Neutrality 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

13. FDR Inches to Involvement • Reports from London convinced many Americans that the U.S. should at least prepare • Selective Service Act (draft) • FDR gave Britain 50 WWI battle ships in exchange for 8 defense bases • Tripartite Pact • Germany, Italy, Japan became allies

14. Cont… • FDR re-elected 1940 • Increased support for Britain • “four freedoms” in danger • Lend Lease Act 1941 • Authorized 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

15. Atlantic Charter • FDR and Churchill met secretly on warship off the coast of Newfoundland • Atlantic Charter: • Endorsed national self-determination and an international system of “general security” • Deepened alliance between countries

16. Germany Attacks American Subs • Hitler knew we were supporting the Allies • Fall 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