America at War: From Isolationism to Mobilization

1. America at War

2. Pre-War Foreign Policy

3. American Isolationism • Isolationism- avoid involvement in foreign affairs • Pacifism- people who do not believe in the use of military force • Most Americans were either isolationists or were supportive of defense • Simply wanted to preserve America’s freedom to choose time & place for any military action

4. War & Legislation • Roosevelt- not an isolationist, supportive of League of Nations • Most members of Congress were isolationists….the much more popular choice • Neutrality Act 1935- law that was meant to prevent the nation from being drawn into a war. • “It shall thereafter be unlawful to export arms, ammunition, or [tools] of war to any port or such [warring] states.”

5. Balancing Isolation & Intervention • Italy • FDR viewed Italy as a dangerous aggressor • Using the Neutrality Act, he halted the sale of weapons to Italy & Ethiopia • He knew this would hurt Italy the most • Urged businesses to stop selling oil to Italy • Japan • Highly unsupportive of Japanese invasion of China and thought this was his opportunity to express concern about Japanese expansion • Quarantine Speech • Compared spread of war to a disease that must be stopped or quarantined • Identify the sick (or aggressive) and stop them

6. Preparing for War

7. Aid to Europe • Congress agreed to give money for the building of new naval basses • Cash-and-Carry: policy that stated countries at war were allowed to purchase American goods as long as they paid cash & picked them up in American ports • Lend-Lease Act: Policy that allowed the U.S. to send weapons to Great Britain, regardless of their ability to pay • “All Aid Short of War”- Traded 50 aging American warships for 8 British military bases

8. Close to War • Atlantic Charter- 1941 • FDR and British Prime Minister Churchill met secretly and signed the Atlantic Charter • Proclaimed mutual goals of opposing Hitler and his allies • U Boat Attacks • October 1941- German U Boats attacked American ships (USS Kearny and USS Reuben) that were sending supplies to British • American Response • Large majority still opposed war…this was about to change

9. America Enters War

10. Tension with Asia • By late fall 1941, American leaders were convinced that war between America and Japan was close • Japan had become an ally of Germany • Disagreements over Japanese aggression • Economic sanctions: denied access to oil supplies • American officials were determined to not fire the first shot, but feared an attack in Southeast Asia (like the Philippines)

11. A date which will live in infamy • December 7, 1941 the Japanese attacked the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii • Home to US Navy Pacific Fleet • American officials feared an attack at Pearl Harbor, but not defensive plans had been put in place • Impact • 8 battleships damaged; 4 sunk • 200 aircraft destroyed • 2,400 Americans died

16. War is declared • December 8, 1941 FDR asked Congress to declare war on Japan • “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…” • Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S.

17. Mobilization for War What does a country need in order to be successful? What should America do first to mobilize for war?

18. Mobilizing Armed Forces • Prior to Pearl Harbor, in 1940, the US government began increasing its military spending • Largely responsible for ending the Great Depression • Thousands found work in the factories producing war materials tanks, airplanes, bombers, ships, artillery, etc

20. Mobilizing the Armed Forces • Following Pearl Harbor, the government expanded the draft • However, millions had already volunteered • Why do you think many were eager to fight in this war?

22. Women and WWII • Women could not partake in combat roles • Helped in other ways to ensure men could fight • WAVES – Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service • Navy program in which women did clerical work • WASPs- Women Air force Service Pilots • Tested and delivered aircraft • WAC- Women Army Corps & WAAC- Women Army Auxiliary Corps • Repaired equipment, worked as electricians

23. Minorities and WWII • African Americans • In Military- they were able to serve in the military which broke down racial barriers, however, many continued to suffer discrimination • In Workforce – found new opportunities because of increased demand for workers • Still low pay & discrimination • Hispanic Americans • Bracero Program – temporary work program for Hispanics to come to US as farm laborers • Led to increased ethnic tensions because of sudden influx of immigrants • Zoot Suit Riots – white sailors stationed in Los Angeles, California fought with groups of Mexican American youth

25. Mobilizing Industry • Factories that produced consumer goods were converted to the production of war supplies • Assembly line was used to create massive amounts of supplies, including cargo ships • Had been target of submarines • Liberty ships- assembly line produced cargo ships • New government agencies were created to meet the production needs • Regulated WHAT was produced, what prices, and how raw materials would be used • Office of Production Management • War Production Board

27. Mobilizing Labor • Women provided a solution to the lose of male laborers • Rosie the Riveter – a symbolic figure that represented that women could do a man’s job • Propaganda tool to empower women and encourage them to help in the war effort • 6.5 million new women workers entered the workforce!

28. Mobilizing Labor • Government was concerned that strikes might hamper the war effort • President Roosevelt established the National War Labor Board- designed to help settle labor disputes • Smith- Connally Act – gave the President power to take over vital industries in the event of strikes

31. Mobilizing the Home Front • Conservation of resources • Victory Gardens – produce own agricultural goods • Scrap drives – collected waste material that could be used in war effort • Nylon stockings for parachutes, tin cans, glass, etc. • Rationing- limiting the amount of a certain product each individual can get. • Gas, Coffee, butter, sugar, and meat • Investment in war • War Bonds • Winning American Support • Office of War Information – responsible for spreading propaganda designed to promote a cause