From Isolation to Involvement Chapter 10, Section 2 US History—Mrs. Huston

1. From Isolation to Involvement Chapter 10, Section 2 US History—Mrs. Huston

2. Where was the US? • Appeasement • Granting concessions to a potential enemy in the hope that it will maintain peace • Britain and France appeased Germany • The U.S. debated whether to get involved in Europe • As Japan began to move aggressively through Asia, the U.S. did nothing

3. Japanese • Lacked their own natural resources • Sought to acquire them in other countries • Korea • Manchuria • China • Attacked China without declaration of war • foreshadowing

4. Roosevelt’s Reaction • Gave speeches condemning aggression • Suggested an informal alliance of peace-loving nations • No suggestions of steps to be taken • Many disagreed with Roosevelt’s interventionist stance

5. War in Europe • Hitler violated the Munich pact • took the rest of Czechoslovakia into the Third Reich in 1939 • Britain and France signed a pact with Poland • What did they promise? • Hitler was more worried about the Soviets • Signed non-aggression pact

6. Blitzkrieg • German attacked Poland Sept 1, 1939 • Lightning war • Use of speed and firepower • Extremely effective • Coordinated use of tanks, planes, etc. • Britain and France declare war

7. War Axis Powers Allied Powers Britain France Later US Soviet Union China Etc. • Germany • Japan • Italy • Etc.

8. Blitzkrieg continues • Germany attacked Denmark and Norway • Then Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg • France • Maginot Line • Armies along Belgium border • Ardennes Forest unprotected

9. Dunkirk • Germany almost trapped the British and French forces against the English Channel • Hundreds of boats, most privately owned evacuated the soldiers under fire • Germany took Paris and forced surrender • France divided in two • Occupied France • Vichy France

10. Battle of Britain • Fought in the air • Germany needed to defeat the British Air Force before they could invade the island • Both civilian and military targets bombed • Called the “Blitz” • Went on for months, but Britain held on • Hitler finally decided to postpone

11. America Divided • Isolationists • Majority of Americans • Neutrality Acts passed 1935, 36, 37 • Interventionists • Roosevelt firmly anti-Nazi • Wanted to help the democracies of Europe • Neutrality Act of 1939 • Cash and carry

12. Cash and Carry • Belligerents (countries involved in fighting) • could buy goods and arms from the US • if they paid cash • transported the merchandise in their own ships • Since Britain controlled the seas—it helped the Allies

13. Roosevelt’s support • Once he was re-elected for a third term (first president ever to be so), he gave even more support to the Allies • Gave “Four Freedoms” speech to Congress • Speech • Worship • From want • From fear

14. Lend-Lease • Roosevelt said it was like helping a neighbor who’s house was on fire • Roosevelt asked American to become the “arsenal for democracy” • Gave the President authority to • Sell • Transfer title • Exchange • Lease • Lend, etc.

15. Atlantic Charter • Signed by Roosevelt and Churchill in a secret meeting • August, 1941 • Promoted national self-determination • International system of “general security”

16. U-boats attacks • Fall, 1941 • Hitler saw the US escorting ships to Iceland where the British met them • Ordered his submarines to attack American ships • Roosevelt gave authority to the navy to attack German U-boats on sight

17. Hitler refocuses • Having bogged down in Britain, he turned east • June, 1941 • Renounced non-aggression pact • Attacked the Soviet Union • War with the US seemed closer than ever

18. THE END