The United States’ Decision to Enter World War II



The United States’ Decision to Enter World War II

There were more people against entering World War II than were for it in the late 1930s and early 1940s. However, one important proponent of U.S. involvement was President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Look at the following timeline of events, complete the tasks in the timeline and answer the questions at the end to help evaluate how the U.S. decided to enter the war.

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FDR strongly supported U.S. involvement in the war. He wanted a policy of ‘quarantining’ aggressor nations before war could spread to the U.S. His reaction to the rise of the Nazi’s is illustrated in the following quote from one of his famous ‘Fireside Chats’ to the nation:

“The Nazi Masters have made it clear that they intend not only to dominate all life and thought in their own country, but also to enslave the rest of the world…We cannot escape danger, or the fear of danger, by crawling into a bed and pulling the covers over our heads…No nation can appease the Nazis. No man can tame a tiger into a kitten by stroking it.”

1. What did FDR mean by “We cannot escape danger, or fear of danger, by crawling into a bed and pulling the covers over our heads”? Has history proven him to be correct?

There were many types of people in the U.S. who did not want the U.S. to get involved in the war for various reasons. The cartoon below tries to identify these groups. Examine it and identify the anti-war groups and explain why each might be against the war.

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2. ________________________________________

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3. ________________________________________

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4. ________________________________________

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5. ________________________________________

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6. ________________________________________

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7. ________________________________________

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Congress was also against entry into the war. Some in Congress felt that since it had the power to declare war, it could also declare peace.

To this effect it passed a series of Neutrality Acts banning the shipment of U.S. arms to nations at war.

In 1931 Japan took over part of

Northern China and when the

League of Nations condemned the

act it pulled out of the League.

In 1937 it launched an all-out

invasion of China.

On December 12, 1937, Japan sunk a U.S. warship, the Panay, which was in China, killing 2 U.S. soldiers. It later apologized and paid an indemnity of $2 million. The U.S. accepted the apology and did nothing.

What does the Panay Incident tell you about the U.S. feelings about war at this time?

1939- Germany invades Poland after promising to cease aggression. Britain and France declare war.

Germany’s aggression led FDR to ask congress to remove the ban on trade with nations at war to help the victims of aggression.

Congress responded with another Neutrality Act that instituted a ‘Cash & Carry’ policy. What was this policy and why did some believe it would help keep the U.S. out of the war? (p. 660)

1940- U.S. presidential election.

Germany captures France, completing its conquest of the majority of continental Europe.

The Battle of Britain begins

FDR once again ran for the Democrats in the 1940 election. During the election he promised voters, “Your boys will not be sent into any foreign wars.” He won the election and became the 1st 3 term president.

If FDR was for U.S. involvement, why did he make this promise (look at popular opinion at this time)?

Gallop Poll results for the question: “If you were asked to vote on the question of the U.S. entering the war against Germany and Italy, how would you vote- to go into the war, or to stay out of the war?

OCT 1939- GO IN: 4% STAY OUT: 96%

MAR 1941- GO IN: 17% STAY OUT: 83%

MAY 1941- GO IN: 21% STAY OUT: 79%

Even before entering the war FDR was able to convince Congress to build up the U.S. military. The draft was started in 1940 creating an army of 1.6 million. Defense production was started and by 1942 the U.S. was creating more guns, ships, planes and tanks than Germany, Italy, and Japan combined.

Why would people in the U.S. support a military build up if they did not want to join the war?

After FDR won the election he introduced the “Lend-Lease” plan. What was the difference between this and the cash and carry plan (p. 669)?

Why did this help the British?

1941- U.S. navy ordered to sink all Germany subs on sight after a German attack on the U.S. Greer.

December 7, 1941- Japan attacks Pearl Harbor.

Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor in 1941?

With the attack on Pearl Harbor the U.S. entered the war against Japan. Germany and Italy declared war days later. The first goal of the U.S. was to help Britain and defeat Germany otherwise the U.S. would be left to fight Germany alone.

Read chapter 27 and provide details on the U.S. involvement in the African and European Campaigns (Battles in North Africa, Sicily, D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge)

Wake Up! Wake Up, Uncle!

Daniel Bishop, St. Louis Star Times

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