Goals of this Unit:

1. Goals of this Unit: To realize that in the early and mid-1930s, the United States attempted to isolate itself from foreign involvements and wars. But by the end of the decade, the spread of totalitarianism and war in Europe forced Roosevelt to provide more and more assistance to desperate Britain, despite strong isolationist opposition. To understand that America, unified by Pearl Harbor, effectively carried out a war mobilization effort that produced vast social and economic changes within American society. To be able to explain that by following its get Hitler first strategy, the United States and its Allies invaded and liberated conquered Europe from Fascist rule. To grasp that the slower strategy of island-hopping against Japan also proceeded successfully, but it was the atomic bomb that brought a sudden end to World War II.

2. FDR’s Foreign Affairs • London Conference (1933) set up to create international solutions to the Great Depression • Europe tries to enforce currency stabilization • Economic policy that causes deflation, deters spending • Policy is counter to FDR’s plan of “confidence” in spending and trust • FDR angrily pulls U.S. out of London Conference • Solidifies U.S. isolationism • Tydings-McDuffie Act (1934) guarantees independence for bothersome Philippines by 1946 • “Good Neighbor Policy” denounces TR’s “Big Stick Policy” of Latin America – heavily reduces involvement in Latin America and promises no use of military force • Very successful in bettering Latin American relations

3. Dangerous Leaders Rise Post WWI political and economic chaos, Great Depression lead to rise of totalitarian and/or fascist regimes: Joseph Stalin (USSR) Francisco Franco (Spain) Benito Mussolini (Italy) Hirohito (Japan) Adolf Hitler (Germany) Totalitarianism focuses all efforts on empowering the state

4. Trouble Overseas • 1931 – Japan invades and occupies Manchuria (China) • 1935 – Italy attacks and defeats Ethiopia • 1936 – Rome-Berlin Axis: allies Germany and Italy • League of Nations does nothing to stop these events • Display of weakness allows sets dangerous precedent • America remains isolated • Does not want to get involved in foreign problems and conflicts • Congress passes: • Neutrality Acts – series of acts to put preventive restrictions on foreign relations with countries at war • Johnson Debt Default Act – forbids loans to countries that still owe money to U.S.

5. Isolationism Put to Test • Spanish Civil War breaks out (1936-1939) • Fascist government vs. republican government • America rooting for republican government, but must remain isolated and uninvolved • Germany and Italy help fellow fascist General Franco • Franco and Spanish Fascists win control • Franco’s 40 year dictatorship begins • Democracy falls in another European country, America unhappy

6. Appeasement • Appeasement – giving into demands to avoid conflict • League of Nation’s policy of appeasement, past negligence, and U.S. isolationism all lead to further conflict • Japan conducts mass invasion of China (1937) • Second Sino-Japanese War • “Rape of Nanking” – Japanese army murders 300,000 unarmed Chinese civilians

7. Appeasement • Hitler breaks Treaty of Versailles: • Builds up German military • Remilitarization of the Rhineland region (1936) • Persecutes Jews • Annexes Austria (1938) • Hitler convinced European leaders each step of expansion would be his last • League of Nations appeased every demand of his

8. Appeasement • Hitler demands annexation of Sudetenland (small bordering region of Czechoslovakia) • Munich Conference called to discuss (Sept. 1938) • Tense talks lead to appeasement of Hitler’s demand • English Prime Minister Chamberlain: “I have returned from Germany with peace in our time.” • All of Czechoslovakia annexed months later

9. Appeasement Ends, War Starts • Russo-German Nonaggression Pact signed (1939) • Stalin and Hitler promise no military aggression against each other • This ensures Hitler will not fight a two-front war like WWI and also allows for an easier invasion of Poland • Hitler’s motives clear – France & Britain finally takes a stand • Warns Hitler an invasion of Poland would merit war declaration • Hitler attacks Poland one week later (Sep 1, 1939) • War declarations ensue – WWII starts

10. Battle Lines Drawn Belligerents as of 1940: Allies: Britain, France, Poland VS. Axis: Germany, Italy, Japan

11. Isolationist America • America committed to neutrality, but was rooting for Britain and France… • Neutrality Acts amended and put in effect: • U.S. will sell war materials on a “cash-and-carry” basis • No credit, no U.S. ships involved • Ensures isolationism, helps economy • Utilized exclusively by Allies, as intended

12. Lightening Strikes • Sept 1939 – Germany defeats Poland • Months of inactivity – some suspected a “phony war” • Hitler amasses & consolidates military • April 1940 – Hitler suddenly launches “blitzkrieg” attack • “Lighting warfare” using tanks, planes, infantry simultaneously – very effective • Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium all defeated instantly

13. Lightening Strikes • France invaded and surrenders by June 1940 • Italy joins and invades weakened France before surrender • Britain is last of the Allies left standing in Europe • America shocked – FDR begins immediate military built up • Conscription law passed – first ever peacetime draft • Havana Conference called to ensure U.S. and Latin America would work together to defend Monroe Doctrine

14. Helping Britain • Hitler begins bombing Britain with planes • All-air “Battle of Britain” ensues • Britain temporarily fights off Germany • Americans split on whether to help or stay isolated • FDR makes compromise between the two sides: • Destroyer Deal (1940) trades 50 old WWI destroyers for 8 naval bases • By 1941, Britain needed money for war effort • FDR hesitant after WWI debt crisis • Solution was to loan weaponry, not money…

15. Lend-Lease Act Lend-Lease Bill passed U.S. now “arsenal of democracy” Until 1945, $50 billion worth of ships, tanks, weaponry, ammunition supplies to be “borrowed” Effects of Neutrality Act, Destroyer Deal, and Lend-Lease? American isolationism and neutrality fading fast Axis powers avoided U.S. prior to this, not anymore

16. Election of 1940 • FDR announces a run for third term • Strong leadership during uncertain times more important than the two-term tradition • Reps nominate Wendell Willkie • Criticized FDR’s New Deal – but not the issue anymore… • Threat of war was • FDR easily wins third election

17. Hitler Invades Soviet Union June 1941 – Paranoid Hitler breaks pact with Russia and attacks Moscow FDR sends $1 billion to help Russia Germany’s quick invasion fails by December due to harsh winter

18. Atlantic Charter • August 1941 – Atlantic Conference called as meeting between Winston Churchill and FDR (and absent Stalin) • Atlantic Charter created to discuss aid to Soviets & layout plans for postwar • Main points similar to Wilson’s 14 Points: • Self-determination • Disarmament • New peace-keeping organization • U.S. again rapidly moving away from isolationism and neutrality

19. End of U.S. Neutrality • Convoys of U.S. destroyers escorted merchant ships to Britain often clashed with German U-Boats in North Atlantic • November 1941 – Congress repealed Neutrality Act of 1939 and allowed for arming of merchant ships • Japan beating China badly in since 1937 • Numerous massacres of Chinese civilians and sinking of USS Panay angered Americans • July 1941 – In protest, U.S. puts embargo on Japan who heavily relied on U.S. oil • Japan’s solution was to attack • American code breakers suspect possible Japanese activity in the Pacific – Philippines? British Malaysia? Australia?

20. Pearl Harbor • December 7, 1941 – Japan launches all-out sneak attack on U.S. naval bases in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii • 3,000 Americans killed, Pacific fleet of U.S. Navy almost entirely wiped out • America’s only aircraft carriers on Pacific were out at sea • America was now at war…

21. America Declares War War declarations ensue: Dec 7: Japan declares war on U.S. and Britain Dec 8: U.S. declares war on Japan “Infamy Speech” given by FDR Dec 11: Germany & Italy declare war on U.S. Dec 11: U.S. declares war on Germany and Italy

22. Effects of Pearl Harbor Effects of Pearl Harbor on Americans? Go from wanting isolationism, to wanting revenge National unity strong West coast goes into panic Fears of invasion in California Japanese-Americans greatly affected

23. Internment FDR authorizes Executive Order 9066: Japanese-Americans rounded up and detained in internment camps Non-citizen Italians detained as well Official reasoning was to protect them Hidden motive was to protect America from them Wrongfully accused of being spies loyal to Japan spies Lost businesses, houses, possessions Jailed without due process of law? Supreme Court upheld the internment camps

24. America Prepares for War Americans wants immediate revenge on Japan FDR’s plan: “get Germany first” – why? Hitler a more urgent problem Do not let Britain or Russia fall, hold of Japan until Germany defeated Problem: America greatly unprepared Isolationism and depression weakened U.S. military America’s task: All industry and workforce to support war effort Means New Deal organizations end Organize massive military Ship weapons, supplies, soldiers in two directions Feed the Allies

25. The War Effort War Production Board takes control of industry Controls what’s produced and how much of it Manufacturing and agriculture boom Rationing instituted Food, metals, gasoline, rubber Japanese had control of rubber fields in British Malaysia Office of Price Administration regulated prices War Labor Board enforced low wages to ensure low prices Smith-Connally Anti-Strike Act kept strikes minimal Gives government power to take over industries crippled by strikes

26. The War Effort 15 million men in the military creates need for labor Women fill vacant industrial jobs “Rosie the Riveter” works as propaganda Helps women gain respect and new roles in society But 2/3 of women return to maternal roles after war Post-war “Baby boom” “Bracero Program” brings in seasonal workers from Mexico to help harvest crops

27. Second Great Migration Many African-Americans leave South to move to Northern and Western cities Reasons why: War industry created jobs New agricultural innovations and machinery in South FDR banned discrimination in defense industries Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC) Helps with movement for equality Slogan: “Double V” Victory overseas vs. dictators and victory at home vs. racism 125,000 serve in segregated units in military 50,000 Native Americans also helped fight in WWII “Code talkers”

28. War Effort’s Economic Effects U.S. enters WWII in economic despair New Deal helped, but war production pulls U.S. out of Great Depression $330 billion war cost WWI had cost $33 billion Paid for mostly on credit National debt quintuples U.S. ends war extremely prosperous GNP, business profits, disposable incomes all had doubled

29. War in Pacific Dec 7, 1941 – Japan launches series of attacks on American and British islands in Pacific: Guam, Wake Island, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Dutch East Indies, coastal China, etc By March 1942, all islands except the Philippines had fallen to overpowering Japan Japan beats General Douglas MacArthur in Battle of the Philippines 75,000 American and Filipino POWs subjected to “Bataan Death March” Embarrassed MacArthur escapes – “I shall return” Japan seemed unstoppable

30. Doolittle Raid April 1942 – Lt. Colonel James Doolittle leads bombing raid American bombers hit mainland Japan Not overly successful, but big morale boost “The Japanese people had been told they were invulnerable ... An attack on the Japanese homeland would cause confusion in the minds of the Japanese people and sow doubt about the reliability of their leaders. There was a second, and equally important, psychological reason for this attack ... Americans badly needed a morale boost.” -James Doolittle

31. Japanese Expansion Halted May 1942 – Battle of Coral Sea First major “naval” battle of war in Pacific Fought entirely with aircrafts via carriers Heavy losses on both sides Tactical victory for Japanese Sunk more ships Strategic victory for Allies Japanese expansion stopped Two Japanese carriers damaged & rendered useless Would hurt Japanese in next major battle…

32. Battle of Midway Japanese want to further defense perimeter after Doolittle Raid and damage of Battle of Coral Sea Code breakers intercept messages of surprise attack on Midway Island Admiral Chester Nimitz and Admiral Raymond Spruance send huge U.S. fleet to defend island Japanese diversion: June 3, 1942 – Japan invades islands in Aleutian chain of Alaska Not significant strategically, but greatly upset Americans Not phased, U.S. fleet waiting for Japan at Midway…

33. Battle of Midway June 7, 1942 – Battle ensues Japan’s surprise attack spoiled, ambushed by waiting U.S. fleet U.S. routs Japan: 3,000 Japanese killed vs. 300 Americans killed 4 Japanese carriers sunk vs. 1 American carrier 250 Japanese aircrafts shot down vs. 150 American aircrafts Midway was the turning point of war in the Pacific Japan’s fleet virtually wiped out “The most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare” –Military historian John Keegan

34. War in Pacific America’s new plan in Pacific: “island hopping” AKA “leapfrogging” Do not attack mainland Japan yet Attack the weaker islands around the Pacific one by one Build airbases on each island Cut off resources to Japan Main islands of Japan would then be bombed into submission

35. Island Hopping U.S. Marines storm beaches while sailors and bombers shell the island Gen. MacArthur in south Pacific Aug 1942 – Victory at Guadalcanal Followed by Solomon Islands Reaches New Guinea by 1944 MacArthur closing in on the Philippines Admiral Nimitz in central Pacific Marshall Islands, Gilbert Islands, Marianas Islands “Marianas Turkey Shoot” (1944) – American “Hellcat” fighters shoot down 250 Japanese planes U.S. now close enough for B-29 bombers to reach Japan Progress was being made, but slowly and at great costs

36. War in Europe 1940-1942: German dominance Germany occupying most of Europe Britain trying to hold off Hitler Controlling the seas with deadly u-boat “wolf packs” 1942: turning point of war in Europe (and Pacific) Germany’s “enigma code” broken Prowling u-boat wolf packs can now be located Allies begin to win Battle of the Atlantic Supplies can now easily be shipped to Britain & France

37. Hitler Halted Britain bombs Germans in Cologne, France Americans bomb Germany Sept 1942 – Battle of Stalingrad Russians stop German offensive at Stalingrad, begin successful counteroffensive

38. Hitler Halted Oct 1942 – Battle of El Alamein German Gen. Erwin Rommel dominating North Africa Nicknamed the “Desert Fox” Stopped by the British from gaining control of Suez Canal Germany stopped in both campaigns Endures heavy losses, retreat ensues

39. The “Soft Underbelly” Burdened Soviet Union urges Allies to open second front FDR wants to invade through France Churchill wants to invade through Northern Africa and Italy “Soft underbelly” “Soft underbelly” approach chosen to lure war away from Britain

40. The “Soft Underbelly” Nov 1942 – Gen. Dwight Eisenhower leads successful campaign in North Africa Jan 1943 – Casablanca Conference FDR & Churchill agree to seek “unconditional surrender” of Germany Germans pushed out of Africa by May 1943 Sept 1943 – Allies invade south Italy Mussolini overthrown, Italy surrenders German soldiers keep fighting invading Allies Invasion slow and bloody Allies finally take Rome by June 1944 Campaign soon becomes just a diversion…

41. D-Day Invasion Nov-Dec 1943 – Tehran Conference FDR, Churchill, and Stalin meet to coordinate Plans of a new invasion of France made Gen. Eisenhower chosen to lead the operation June 6, 1944 – D-Day Invasion Over 150,000 Allied soldiers successfully invade beaches of Normandy region on French coast Largest amphibious assault in history Invading Allies spread through France into different campaigns

42. Effects of D-Day Invasion Paris liberated by 1945 Huge morale boost for Allies Germany in full-on retreat End was nearing for Hitler and German army 1944 – FDR wins 4th election Reps nominate Thomas Dewey Success of war leads to easy victory for FDR Dems choose VP Harry Truman Important choice with FDR’s declining health FDR dies by April 1945, Truman becomes president

43. War in Europe Nazis make one last centralized push at Ardenne Forest… Dec 1944 – Battle of the Bulge Surprised Americans pushed back Creating a “bulge” in the battle line Largest and bloodiest battle for American Army Americans hold on to key city of Bastogne until Allied reinforcements arrive Germans eventually defeated, resume retreat Both America and Russia converging towards Berlin

44. Holocaust Discovered Holocaust had been just an rumor and thought to be embellished at most Retreating Germans accelerate “final solution” Advancing Allies shocked as they begin to discover Nazi concentration camps German civilians forced to march through camps

45. Germany Surrenders April 1945 – Russia reaches Germany Hitler kills himself May 8, 1945 – Germany officials surrender V-E Day (Victory in Europe)

46. War in the Pacific By 1945, U.S. weakening Japan: U.S. subs destroying Japanese merchant ships U.S. bombers devastating Japanese cities with firebomb campaigns Mar 1945 – Two day fire-bomb raid on Tokyo 1/4 of city demolished and 80,000 deal

47. War in the Pacific Series of costly, hard-fought, U.S. victories: Mar 1945 – Battle of Leyte Gulf Gen. MacArthur recaptures the Philippines Mar 1945 – Battle of Iwo Jima U.S. takes small, but strategic island June 1945 – Battle of Okinawa Last island before Japanese mainland American victory But with 50,000 American casualties

48. The Atomic Bomb Japan refusing to surrender Seen as dishonorable to give up “Kamikaze” suicide missions increase Must protect their godlike emperor U.S. leaders know invasion of Japan would be grueling and deadly Manhattan Project – Since 1940, U.S. secretly began developing world’s first atomic bomb Mostly worked on by ex-German scientists 1945 – Tested in New Mexico and ready for use July 1945 – Potsdam Conference American, British and Russian officials meet to give Japan final ultimatum: “Surrender or be destroyed”

49. Japan Surrenders Japan refuses to surrender, continue hostility American aircrafts drop leaflets warning of atomic bomb, urging evacuation of targeted cities Aug 6, 1945 – Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima 70,000 die instantly, 200,000 casualties overall Aug 8, 1945 – Russia declares war on Japan Invades Manchuria Japan still refuses to answer Potsdam Declaration, Aug 9, 1945 – Second bomb dropped on Nagasaki 80,000 killed

50. War Ends Aug 19, 1945 – Japan officially surrenders – WWII ends V-J Day