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America and the Good War

Explore America's responses to global events, from the "Good Neighbor" policy to entering WWII and the social changes that followed, including racial tensions and the roles of minorities. Discover how the war shaped American society and impacted various communities.

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America and the Good War

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  1. America and the Good War World in Crisis

  2. U.S. Responses to International World • “Good Neighbor” policy: improvement of American and L. American relations. Less interventionist • Ambivalent towards actions happening globally • Gerald Nye: presented information about reasons entering WWI; money • Public actively resisting war

  3. Global Activity • Italy: • Mussolini takes control • Quickly imposes a fascist government • Church still remains • Germany: • Hitler mobilizes Nazi party • First attempt was hostile takeover, jailed • Realizes needs to find another method, Chancellor 1933 • Japan: • Gains control of Manchuria 1931-1932 • Eyes much of China and the Pacific territory

  4. Appeasement • Hitler violates Treaty of Versailles • Territory ambitions target part of Czechoslovakia, Sudetenland • British policy established by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain: Appeasement • Giving in to Hitler's demands, for promise that no more would follow

  5. Extra Curricular Activity • Only American confrontation in early days of tension came in the form of sports • 1936 Olympics in Berlin: Jesse Owens mocks racial superiority, four gold medals • Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling rematch 1938 • Americans cheering, but still not wanting to get involved in war

  6. Roosevelt’s Friendliness • Neutrality Act, demonstration of American fears • With war in Europe, Roosevelt felt compelled to assist • Lend-Lease: “Arsenal of democracy” side stepping around Neutrality Act • War material supplied to British and Soviets

  7. War Waging in Europe • U.S. still struggling with the Depression • Supplying of ammunitions and military vehicles provides a boost • Employment rates on the rise

  8. Day of Infamy • Dec. 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor bombed • U.S. in the war now • Hitler makes decision easier for FDR • Immediate changes made to system • Creation of Joint Chiefs of Staff: better communication • Office of Strategic Services: forerunner of CIA

  9. We are In the War Now • Workforce altered; men off to fight • Increase in inflation almost immediately • Gov’t encouraging women to go to work • Ethnic minorities able to experience social mobility to some degree

  10. Social Changes and Tensions • Mainstream values under fire during wartime activity • Challenges to attitudes regarding race and gender • Need forced some tolerance

  11. Minorities and WWII • Hispanic population initially saw more employment opportunities • Braceros: “guest workers” • Increasing numbers of families moving from farms to urban centers • Own neighborhoods and culture developing • Great numbers men and women supporting war effort working in factories • Racial tensions not gone: Zoot Suit Riots

  12. Cont… • NAACP and African American Press pressure FDR • Tuskegee Institute established • Opportunity to debunk racial stereotypes • Segregation still strong • 450 trained pilots flew missions in N. Africa • Destroyed 261 enemy aircraft • Won 850 medals • Provided bomber escorts for 1500 missions

  13. Cont… • Women saw changes at home and abroad • Roles at home changed drastically, single parent and working outside of home • Women’s roles to be noncombatant • WASP: Women Air force Service Pilots

  14. Executive Order 9066 • For the safety of our nation • Japanese families across the West ordered to leave homes and live in camps • Years of anti-Japanese sentiment has an outlet

  15. Service • 300,000 Mexican Americans join armed forces • 1 million African Americans serve; live, work in segregated units • 13,000 Chinese Americans • 33,000 Japanese Americans serve • 25,000 Native Americans enlist • Over 300,000 women

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