WW 2 27 Isolationism Ú Depression shifts

WW 2 27

Isolationism Ú Depression shifts focus to domestic affairs Ú Rise of militaristic regimes threatens war – – – Germany Italy Japan

The Lure of Pacifism and Neutrality Ú Most Americans resolved against another meaningless war Ú 1935 --passage of neutrality legislation – – U. S. trade with nations at war prohibited U. S. loans to nations at war prohibited Ú 1937 --Japan invades China Ú FDR permits sale of arms to China

The Neutrality Acts Ú Laws passed by Congress in the 1930 s, in response to the growing turmoil in Europe and Asia that eventually led to World War 2. They were spurred by the growth in isolationism and non -interventionism in the US following its costly involvement in World War I, and sought to ensure that the US would not become entangled again in foreign conflicts. Ú The legacy of the Neutrality Acts in the 1930 s was widely regarded as having been generally negative: they made no distinction between aggressor and victim, treating both equally as "belligerents"; and they limited the US government's ability to aid Britain against Nazi Germany. The acts were largely repealed in 1941, in the face of German submarine attacks on U. S. vessels and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

War in Europe Ú FDR approves appeasement of Hitler Ú 1938 --Hitler seizes Czechoslovakia Ú July, 1939 --FDR attacks neutrality acts Ú September 1939 --W. W. II begins, Roosevelt declares the acts in force

The Road to War Ú U. S. remains at peace 1939 -1941 Ú Popular sympathy for Allies, distaste for Germany and Japan Ú Roosevelt openly expresses favor for Allies, moves cautiously to avoid isolationist outcry

From Neutrality to Undeclared War Ú 1939 -41 --FDR seeks help for England without actually entering the war Ú November, 1939 --belligerents may buy U. S. goods on "cash and carry" basis Ú 1940 --German occupation of France

From Neutrality to Undeclared War: Increased Aid to England Ú U. S. gives or loans war supplies Ú U. S. ships transport war supplies Ú Eventual consensus that a Nazi victory in Europe would threaten western civilization

Showdown in the Pacific Ú 1937 --Japanese occupation of coastal China Ú U. S. limits exports to Japan Ú 1940 --Japan allies with Germany, Italy Ú Japanese invasion of Indochina prompts U. S. to end all trade

Showdown in the Pacific: Pearl Harbor Ú 1941 --U. S. -Japanese negotiations Ú Japan’s demands – free hand in China – restoration of normal trade relations Ú U. S. demands Japanese troops out of China Ú December 7, 1941 --Pearl Harbor attacked Ú December 8, 1941 --War declared

Turning the Tide Against the Axis Ú December, 1941 --Axis on the offensive Ú Ú 1942 -43 --U. S. , England, Russia fight to seize the initiative Ú 1944 -45 --offensive to crush Axis

Wartime Partnerships Ú U. S. -English alliance cemented by personal friendship between FDR and Churchill Ú Soviet Union unsatisfied with alliance Ú Soviet Union often feels alone in conflict Ú Wartime tensions persist after victory

Halting the German Blitz Ú November 1942 --U. S. invades North Africa Ú May 1943 --U. S. , England invade Italy – – Mussolini falls from power slow advance up the Italian peninsula Ú Summer, 1943 --Battle of Stalingrad – – Russia defeats Germans begins advance into eastern Europe

Checking Japan in the Pacific Ú Two-pronged drive against Japan – Douglas Mac. Arthur leads drive through New Guinea to the Philippines – Chester Nimitz leads navy westward from Pearl Harbor to the Philippines Ú June, 1942 --victory at Midway launches advance into Japanese-held territories

The Home Front Ú War ends depression Ú Economy geared for military output Ú Automobile factories converted to tank and airplane production Ú Women moved into the workplace

The Arsenal of Democracy Ú Goods rationed Ú Income of lowest-paid laborers increases faster than the rich Ú High savings rate lays basis for postwar prosperity

A Nation on the Move Ú Wartime migration South and West Ú Early marriages, increased birth rates Ú Family-related social problems – housing shortages – more divorces – neglected children

A Nation on the Move: Improving Conditions Ú Women’s income increases 50% Ú African Americans – equal opportunities in war-related industry – surging migration from the rural South Ú Mexican-Americans take urban factory jobs

A Nation on the Move: Japanese Internment Ú 120, 000 Japanese moved from the West Coast to detention camps Ú 1944 --Supreme Court rejects appeal for release Ú 1988 --Congress votes indemnity of $1. 2 billion for survivors

Japanese American Internment Camps

Win-the-War Politics Ú 1942 --Republican-Southern Democrat coalition controls Congress Ú November, 1944 --Truman attracts moderates, FDR wins fourth term

Victory Ú June 6, 1944 --Normandy Invasion Ú April 25, 1945 --U. S. , Russian forces meet Ú May 7, 1945 --unconditional German surrender

War Aims and Wartime Diplomacy Ú Russia claims eastern Europe as prize for conquest of Germany Ú U. S. seeks collective security arrangement including the United Nations Ú Yalta, Potsdam conferences clarify U. S. , Soviet differences Ú April 12, 1945 --FDR dies

World War II in Europe and North Africa

Triumph and Tragedy in the Pacific Ú June 21, 1945 --U. S. capture Okinawa, complete control of Pacific Ú May-August--intense air attacks on Japan Ú August 6 --atom bomb destroys Hiroshima Ú August 9 --atom bomb destroys Nagasaki Ú August 14 --Japan surrenders

The Transforming Power of War Ú U. S. the most powerful nation on earth Ú Unprecedented economic prosperity Ú Federal government a permanent force in daily life