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World War II

World War II. Unit Overview. Organizing Principle.

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World War II

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  1. World War II Unit Overview

  2. Organizing Principle • The 1930s began with a Great Depression that kept all American eyes fixed on domestic affairs. However, the isolationism of the 1920s waned as a new international menace threatened the future of democracy. At the close of the decade, the United States was on the brink of war. Japan’s decision to bomb Pearl Harbor pushed us over the brink and dragged the U.S. into the conflict. During World War II, America experienced changes that reached into virtually every corner of the country. The conflict revamped the economy and pulled us out of the Depression. While the war effort started off as cumbersome, America shaped up and prevailed on both fronts and redefined America’s position in the world.

  3. Storm Cellar Isolationism & Neutrality • Neutrality Acts of 1935, 36, and 37: • When the president proclaimed the existence of a foreign war Americans could not : • Sail on belligerent ships • Transport goods on belligerent ships • Sell or transport munitions to a belligerent • Make loans to belligerents • Abandons freedom of the seas

  4. The Death of Spanish Democracy • Spanish Civil War 1936-1939 • General Francisco Franco (fascist dictator) • Backed by Italy and Germany • The Loyalist Regime (republican government) • Backed by the Soviet Union • Neutrality Acts leave Loyalists ill equipped • FDR signs an arms embargo—for both sides

  5. Appeasement in Asia and Europe • Japanese attack at Peking (China) 1937 • FDR won’t call it a war—both sides can buy munitions • FDR’s “Quarantine Speech” • Panay incident • Nazi Germany • Compulsory service in military—Rhineland reoccupied • Luftwaffe—guns for butter • Anchluss 1938—Union with Austria • Krystallnacht1938 • Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia) 1938 • Munich Pact 1938 • Gave Germans Sudetenland • Appeasement • “Peace in our time”

  6. Hitler’s Aggression &America’s Unneutral Neutrality • Nonaggression Pact (1939) • Germany and Russia • Hitler invades Poland • 01 September 1939—WWII begins • Blitzkrieg—lightning war • U.S. reaction • Neutrality Act of 1939 • “Cash and Carry” • Helps allies • Economic recovery

  7. War in Europe & The Fall of France • The “Phony War” • Sitzkrieg: major powers do not attack each other • Stalin annexes: • Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—defeats Finland • Germany takes: • Denmark, Norway, and Low Countries • German invasion: • Through Ardennes—around the Maginot Line • “Miracle at Dunkirk” • Evacuation of British • Italians invade from the South—converge of Paris • France falls: • Germans occupy northern France • Nazi puppet government set up in southern France • General Charles de Gaulle—gov’t. in exile

  8. Destroyers for Bases • Fall of France pitted Britain v. Germany • Battle of Britain • Air battle to soften Great Britain for German invasion • Americans split • Isolation v. intervention • Tripartite Pact • Creates Axis Powers • Nazi U-boats barricade of British Isles • FDR acts: • Grants Britain 50 old WWI Destroyers in exchange for eight bases from New Foundland to S. America

  9. Lend-Lease Bill • “Arsenal for Democracy” of “Blank Check Bill” • 1940—Britain is running out of money • Allies can borrow our equipment and return it after the war • Approved by congress in March 1941 • Economic declaration of war • By 1945—50 billion dollars of arms given to allies • Nazi U-boats start sinking American ships • 5/21/41—Robin Moor

  10. The Four Freedoms & The Atlantic Charter • The Four Freedoms • Freedom of Speech and Expression • Freedom of Worship • Freedom from Want • Freedom from Fear • The Atlantic Charter • August 1941: FDR and Churchill • Eight Points—extremely “Wilsonian” • Self determination • Disarmament • Total defeat of the Axis

  11. Hitler Invades the Soviet Union • 22 June 1941 • Germany invades the Soviet Union • Natural resources and territory • U.S. extends $1 billion in Lend-Lease money for USSR • Winter in Russia

  12. Wolf-packs in the Atlantic • “Convoyed into War” • Lend-Lease munitions needed to be delivered safely • July 1941—FDR orders U.S. convoy to Iceland • German response • USS Greer incident (September) • FDR issues shoot on sight policy • USS Kearny (October) • 11 dead • USS Reuben James (October) • Over 200 men dead • U.S. response • Congress approves armed Merchant ships • Ships can enter war zones

  13. Pearl Harbor • Japan’s situation • Bogged down by Chinese incident (war) • War machine dependent upon U.S. resources • 1941 • U.S. lays embargo on Japan and freezes assets is U.S. • Japanese response • “A date that will live in infamy” • 07 December 1941 • Japan attacks Pearl Harbor • 3,000 casualties • 8 battleships destroyed and crippled • Aircraft destroyed • Congress declares war

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