WWII

The Outbreak of World War II & U.S. Response

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Post World War I Europe Rise of Totalitarian States The Treaty of Versailles The Great Depression

Single Party Dictatorship

Strong charismatic Leader

State control of economy

Use of police, spies, terror

Govt. control of media

Use of schools to spread ideology

Strict censorship

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian New Ideologies Fascism Socialism

Authoritarian

Puts economy under govt. control

Emphasizes control of state over individual

Italy, Germany, Spain

Aims to create a classless state

Focuses on dismantling capitalism by putting means of production under state control

Soviet Union

Liberal Democracy

Has a Constitution & elected representatives

Has Rule of Law---Constitution applies to everyone

OPPOSE

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Soviet Union and Italy Joseph Stalin Benito Mussolini

Soviet Union & Stalin

Came to power in 1924

10 million people died during his time in office

Purged Communist Party of rivals for power

Italy & Mussolini

Founded the Fascist Party in 1919

Came to power in 1922

Outlawed political parties

Created a secret police

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Germany

Challenges Facing Germany

Struggled to set up a functioning democracy

Hampered by severe economic issues

Angered by the Treaty of Versailles

Hitler’s Rise to Power

Appointed Chancellor in 1933

Consolidated power by 1935

Used secret police and state controlled press

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Japan

1920s

Increased democracy

Reduced power of military

1930s & Great Depression

Empowered the military

Expanded into China (1931)

Expanded again (1937) 200,000 deaths

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Dictators Expand

Hitler

Rebuilt German army, navy, air force

Rebuilt German economy

Reoccupied the Rhineland (1936)

Mussolini

Invaded Ethiopia (1935)

No response from the League of Nations!

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Appeasement

Munich Conference, 1938

Prompted by Hitler’s expansion into Austria and Czechoslovakia

Attended by Britain, France, and Germany

Resulted in a lack of action against Hitler; U.S. did not respond

Why?

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian The Great Debate 1940 - 1941 There have been a number of fierce national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties---but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” ---Arthur Schlessinger, Historian At no other time in our history have these processes of democratic discussion had freer reign than in the debate on lend-lease. It was as if the whole American people were thinking out loud.” ---U.S. Undersecretary of State, Edward Stettinius, 1943

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian American Isolationism 1935 - 1941

Did NOT mean complete isolation

Did believe the U.S. was protected by its oceans

Did believe involvement would threaten our independence and our democracy

Included diverse group of Americans

In matters of trade and commerce we have never been isolationist and never will be. In matters of finance, unfortunately, we have not been isolationists. . .But in all matters political . . . which encroach in the slightest upon the free and unembarrassed action of our people. . .we have been free, we have been independent, we have been isolationist. Senator William E. Borah, Republican of Idaho (1934)

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian The Nye Committee 1934 - 1937 “ War and warfare since time immemorial have been primarily instituted by a comparatively few of the high and mighty in the political and financial structures of the countries of the world, for political aggrandizement and commercial advantage.” ---Chicago Federation of Labor in response to Nye Committee

Created by Senator Gerald Nye (R) ND

Held investigations for 3 years

Investigated banking &munitions industries

Found that the industries were “greedy”

Claimed that Wilson provoked Germany by sailing into warring nation’s waters

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian The Neutrality Acts Neutrality is to be had if we are willing to pay the price of abandonment of expectation of profits from the blood of other nations at war.” ---Senator Gerald Nye, January 6, 1936

Neutrality Act of 1935

prohibited shipping or carrying arms to warring nations.

established the Munitions Board to bring armament industry under fed. control

allowed sale of oil/ steel

Italy, 1935

attacked Ethiopia, Oct. 3, 1935

unprovoked act of aggression

FDR’s Response

applied the arms embargo required by act

could not prevent the sale of oil by private industry

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian The Neutrality Acts We have learned that when we try to legislate neutrality, our neutrality laws may operate unevenly and unfairly---may actually give aid to an aggressor and deny it to the victim. ---FDR on ‘36 Act

prohibited all loans or credits to belligerents

prohibited sale of war material including steel and oil

treated all countries equally

extended prohibitions to wars within a state (Spain) as well as wars between states

prohibited American ships from sailing in war zones

prohibited Americans from traveling on ships of belligerents

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian World War II Begins Sept. 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian FDR’s Response to Poland When peace has been broken anywhere, the peace of all countries everywhere is in danger. [It is easy for you and for me to shrug our shoulders and say that conflicts taking place thousands of miles . . .from the whole American hemisphere do not seriously affect the Americas0—and that all the United States has to do is to ignore them and go about its business. Passionately though we may desire detachment, we are forced to realize that every word that comes through the air, every ship that sails the sea, every battle that is fought does affect the American future. ---FDR, fireside chat, Sept. 3, 1939

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian The Neutrality Act of 1939

In response to Germany’s invasion of Poland :

FDR persuades Congress in special session to allow the US to aid European democracies in a limited way:

The US could sell weapons to the European democracies on a “cash-and-carry” basis.

FDR was authorized to proclaim danger zones which US ships and citizens could not enter.

Results of the 1939 Neutrality Act:

Aggressors (Germany and Italy) could not send ships to buy US munitions.

The US economy improved as European demands for war goods helped bring the country out of the 1937-38 recession.

America becomes the “Arsenal of Democracy.”

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian World War II Continues. . . April 9, 1940: Germany attacks Denmark & Norway May 10, 1940: Germany attacks Belgium and Netherlands and heads into France July 1940: Germany attacks Britain June, 1940: Italy joins the war.

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian The Lend Lease Bill Proposed: Dec. 1940 | Passed March 1941 “ What do I do in such a crisis? I don’t say, Neighbor, my garden hose cost me $15; you have to pay me $15 for it. . I don’t want $15---I want my garden hose back after the fire is over. ---FDR, Dec., 1940

Churchill sends message to FDR asking for aid.

FDR proposes Lend –Lease Bill.

Lend Lease would allow FDR to give arms/war material to any nation deemed central to the protection of the U.S.

Lend Lease placed NO limits on quantities which could be shipped.

Lend Lease allows “friendly” belligerents to use American ports.

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian December 7, 1941

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Destroyed ½ the U.S. Pacific Fleet

Killed 2887 American soldiers

Killed hundreds of civilians

Click here to hear an acct. of the attack .

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian FDR Signs War Declaration “ My convictions regarding international cooperation and collective security for peace took firm form in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack. The day ended isolationism for any realist.” ---Senator Arthur Vandenberg (R) Michigan

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian

Mrs. L.L. Kellam : “Mr. President, I think I speak for the community here and say that we are all behind you. You have led us through some very trying times, and we feel like that you're going to lead us on through this troublesome time that we have ahead of us. . . We have unlimited confidence in your leadership."

Social Worker : "I am not ready for our country to enter a war. I suppose I could be called an isolationist, but I went through school and college during the '20s and early '30s when the emphasis was upon the futility of war, specifically on the failure of the last world war in settling any of the essential problems and particularly in saving the world for democracy."

" Postal Clerk Carrier : I am full of great joys and happiness after I listened to our great president's speech. It has made me feel like a new man . . . And action will now talk the loudest. . . .I know this will be a terrible struggle, but I know the goodness of man, backed by the fineness of our president, and the great preservation of our people, will conquer in the end all that is evil. And thank God we have a great man above us who is our president."

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian

1942 - 1945 Turning the Tide in Europe & the Pacific

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Advantages & Disadvantages? The Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) The Allies (U.S. Britain, Soviet Union)

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Turning the Tide in Europe

Challenge #1: Defeating German U- Boats

sunk merchant ships carrying necessary supplies to the Allies (3,500)

What happened? Convoys

Challenge #2: Turning Back the Nazis in Russia

attacked Stalingrad to capture oil fields

What happened? Germans surrendered on Jan. 31, 1943

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Turning the Tide in North Africa Challenge #3: Opening a Second Front 1940: Battle for North Africa begins---Germany & Italy vs. Britain Oct., 1942 : British win major victory in Egypt (El Alamein) and push west Nov., 1942 : Allied troops land in Morocco and Algeria and push east Feb., 1943: German general Erwin Rommel attacks Allies in Tunisia—Allies finally win! May, 1943 : Allies defeat German and Italians in Tunisia---capture 240,000 troops

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian The Casablanca Meeting January, 1943 2 Key Decisions 1.) Allies will increase bombing of Germany & invade Italy 2.) FDR announces that only unconditional surrender will end the war: Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo cannot stay in power Allies defeat Italy by September, 1943 but get bogged down fighting the Germans.

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Bombing Germany

Challenge #4: Bringing the war to Germany

Saturation Bombing

Carried out at night

Aimed to inflict maximum damages

Targeted at German cities

Strategic Bombing

Carried out during the day

Aimed at key political and industrial centers

20% Casualty Rate

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian And in the Pacific . . .

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Turning the Tide in the Pacific

Battle of Midway (June 5, 1942)

U.S. broke Japanese code and knew about the attack

U.S. sank 4 Japanese aircraft carriers and 250 planes

U.S. killed most of Japan’s

Experienced pilots

Impact : halted Japanese advance & put U.S. on offensive

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Planning Germany’s Defeat

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian D-Day: June 6, 1944

Operation Overlord

21 American divisions, 26 British, Canadian and Polish divisions

4,400 landing crafts and ships

11,000 planes

Impact : Opened the second front and allowed Allied forces to advance toward Germany.

Eisenhower addresses Allied troops.

“ There have been a number of fierce, national quarrels in my lifetime---over communism in the late Forties, over McCarthyism in the Fifties, over Vietnam in the Sixties—but none so tore apart families and friendships as the great debate of 1940 – 1941.” Arthurs Schlessinger Jr. , Historian Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 1944