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Learn why America hesitated to enter WWII, the impact of the Lend-Lease policy, and the pivotal events like Pearl Harbor that led to the U.S. joining the war effort. Explore how the home front transformed into the 'Arsenal of Democracy'.
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World War II • By time America entered WWII in the final weeks of 1941, of Germany, Japan & Italy had gained control of much of the world.
Isolationism • Americans, wanting to avoid another European conflict, insisted we remain out of the war. • 85% of Americans felt we should remain out of the war unless we were directly attacked.
Isolationism • Besides a strong desire to remain free of European conflicts, The Great Depression was still happening and the budget for the American military had been cut drastically. • In reality, we did not have an effective fighting force anyway.
U.S. Military Spending WWI Civil War
QUESTION #1 • Using text based evidence to support your response, why was America hesitant to get involved in World War II? • Use specific facts to back up your response.
World War II • Hitler had gained control of much of Europe, he was allied with the Soviet Union, standing alone against him was England, and they were in trouble…
The Pacific 1942 Things weren’t any better in the Pacific…
The Axis • After racking up victory after victory, the Germans had the strongest, most successful military in the world. • The Japanese had the second…
‘Murica • But we had three things going for us that no nation in Europe had.
‘Murica Location Industry People
Location 4,900 miles between America & Europe
People In 1941, the American population was: 135,000,000 Germany had about 80,000,000 Japan had about 73,000,000 Italy had about 61,000,000 England had 48,000,000 USSR had 197,000,000
Isolationism • Unlike WWI, the American people overwhelmingly supported the English & French in their fight against the Nazis & Japanese. • However, 85% of the population still didn’t feel we should get involved unless we were attacked. This was still Europe’s problem, but we were rooting for the Allies.
1940 • However, in a period of six weeks, the Nazis had conquered much of western Europe including France. • Basically everything they had been unable to do in World War I.
Lend-Lease • To avoid direct intervention and military action, but try to influence the outcome of the war America developed the policy of Lend-Lease.
Lend-Lease • We would “lend” the Allies the tools they would need to fight the war.
QUESTION #2 • Explain how the Lend Lease policy impacted the U.S. economy and kept Europe in the war. • Use specific facts to back up your response.
Pearl Harbor • Just before 8 a.m. on December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. The barrage lasted just two hours, but it was devastating: The Japanese managed to destroy nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight enormous battleships, and more than 300 airplanes. More than 2,000 Americans soldiers and sailors died in the attack, and another 1,000 were wounded. The day after the assault, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan; Congress approved his declaration with just one dissenting vote. Three days later, Japanese allies Germany and Italy also declared war on the United States, and again Congress reciprocated. More than two years into the conflict, America had finally joined World War II. • http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor
1941 • Hitler then honored a treaty he had previously signed with the Japanese and declared war against the United States.
Home Front • While U.S. soldiers and sailors began the fight throughout Europe and the Pacific, at home sweeping changes took place as America increased production in both industry and agriculture to meet the war needs.
The Arsenal of Democracy • American industry and farms then really took over.
The Arsenal of Democracy • 15,000,000 men eventually served in the U.S. military during World War II. • 60,000,000 men & women worked in farms and factories to supply the necessary items to fight the war.
The Arsenal of Democracy • Factories that had driven the American economy from the 1860s – 1920s had closed their doors as a result of the Great Depression.
The Arsenal of Democracy • But now, orders were flowing in for the Lend-Lease program and the needs of the U.S. Military.
The Arsenal of Democracy • In Detroit, closed automobile factories reopened and built tanks and airplanes • Boeing made planes • Ships were built in California • Factories all over the nation made war materials
The Arsenal of Democracy • Henry Ford opened a factory on 67 acres of ground where 42,000 workers built a B-24 bomber every hour.
The Arsenal of Democracy • The time it took to build a merchant ship dropped from 105 days to 14 days.
