After Germany invaded Poland in 1939 starting World War II, the United States initially remained neutral through isolationist policies. However, as Germany began to rapidly conquer Western European countries, the U.S. began providing more aid to Britain and moved toward greater involvement in the war through acts like Lend-Lease. With German U-boats increasingly attacking American ships in the Atlantic by 1941, U.S. entry into World War II seemed inevitable.

1. From Isolation to Involvement Ch 10 S2

2. After Japan’s violent attack on China in 1937, President Roosevelt criticized the Japanese aggression. The United States, however, continued to back away from intervention in foreign conflicts.

3. Despite a military alliance among France, Britain, and Poland, Germany invaded Poland in 1939.

5. Britain and France declared war on Germany, and World War II had begun. The Axis Powers would come to include Germany, Italy, Japan, and several other nations. The Axis Powers fought the Allies, which included Britain, France, and eventually the Soviet Union, China, and the United States.

6. Germany used a new technique called blitzkrieg, or “lightning war.” Tanks and planes attacked in a coordinated effort and quickly conquered Poland.

9. World War II Begins 1:03

10. In April 1940, Denmark and Norway fell to the German blitzkrieg. In May, Germany took the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, and then invaded France. The next month, Germany attacked Britain from the air.

12. Fall of France

13. Nazis Conquer Western Europe 2:02

14. Battle of Britain

18. Their finest hour.

19. We shall never surrender

20. The War in Great Britain – 2:36

21. Winston Churchill, the prime minister of Britain, hoped to convince America to join the Allies.

22. Reports by news reporter Edward R. Murrow on the bombing of London shocked the American public. Murrow emphasized that the Germans were bombing civilians, not armies or military sites.

23. Despite its isolationist policies, the United States moved slowly toward involvement. Congress passed the Neutrality Act of 1939. This law helped the Allies buy goods an munitions from the United States. Isolationists, however, believed that getting involved in a bloody European war would be wasteful and dangerous.

24. FDR reelected 1940

25. Even though most Americans wanted to remain neutral, President Roosevelt constantly argued for helping Britain.

26. America First Committee Charles Lindbergh Leading isolationist voice Thought USSR and Japan were the real threats

27. The Great Arsenal of Democracy

28. In early 1941, Congress approved the Lend-Lease Act. This act gave the President the power to sell, give, or lease weapons to protect the United States.

29. Lend-Lease Act – 1:36

30. In 1941, Roosevelt also met with Churchill to discuss the war. They signed the Atlantic Charter, a document that endorsed national self-determination and an international system of “general security.” The agreement signaled the deepening alliance between the two nations.

31. Atlantic Charter

32. Germany Italy Japan January 1941 Four Freedoms Speech

33. Hitler was not blind to American support of the Allies. In the fall of 1941, he ordered German U-boats to attack American ships. U.S. involvement in the war seemed inevitable.

38. The Shooting Begins USS Greer shot at. Pink Star sunk US Destroyer Kearny US Destroyer Reuben James More than 100 sailors dead

39. Sinking of the Reuben James – by Woody Guthrie What is the mood of the song? What happened to the men of the Reuben James? Why? What was the significance of the line, “What was their names, tell me what was their names?” What response do you think Woody Guthrie was trying to get with this song?

41. Letter to the Editor Imagine yourself as an American in 1941. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper arguing for America to get involved in the war in Europe, or to stay out of the war in Europe. Be sure to use ideas and terms that we have discussed as you make your case for or against war.