The document outlines key events leading up to the US entry into World War 2. It discusses FDR supporting Britain through arms deals and lend-lease aid while the US remained neutral. Public opinion in the US was divided on involvement in the war. Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 killed over 2,400 Americans and prompted the US to declare war on Japan. In response, Germany and Italy declared war on the US as well, drawing the US fully into World War 2.

1. The U.S.A. enters WWII

2. The Neutrality Act of 1939 confirmed the U.S. position of neutrality but FDR and many Americans wanted to support the British The U.S. was willing to sell weapons to Britain but under strict “cash-carry” regulations

3. The Destroyers-for-bases deal In early 1940, Churchill pleaded with FDR to provide Britain with old destroyers to Britain so the German navy could be kept in check FDR sent 50 destroyers to Britain in exchange for the U.S. to have the right to build naval bases in British colonies Obviously, the U.S. was supporting the Allies

4. Public Opinion in the U.S.A. Americans were split on whether to get involved in the war in Europe The Fight for Freedom Committee believed the U.S. military needed to get involved The Committee to Defend America wanted to send financial support to the Allies The America First Committee wanted no involvement whatsoever

5. FDR wins the election of 1940, the first and only time a president was elected three times!

6. The Lend-Lease Act (1940) Because Britain had no cash, FDR came up with an idea to provide weapons, vehicles and supplies to the British

7. Under Lend-Lease, the U.S. contributed more than $40,000,000,000 to the Allies, mostly Britain but also to the U.S.S.R. as well, because.........

8. Hitler’s desire for lebensraum for the German people gave him the brilliant idea of invading the U.S.S.R.! In June 1941, the Nazis invaded and Britain and the U.S. supported the U.S.S.R. even though they were anti-Communist and did not trust Stalin

9. In August 1941, FDR and Churchill met and created the Atlantic Charter. This created a plan for a world of democratic governments, non-aggression, free trade and freedom of the seas

10. In the fall of 1941, the German navy began attacking U.S. ships that were providing information to the British. 115 U.S. sailors were killed when German torpedoes sank their ship

11. While it seemed like Germany would cause the U.S. to enter WWII, it was actually the Japanese that forced U.S. involvement in WWII

12. The U.S. feared that Japan was planning to attack Britain’s colonies in Asia, so the U.S. refused to send iron, steel and oil to Japan beginning in 1939. The Japanese then made an alliance with Germany and Italy.

13. The U.S. also sent lend-lease aid to China to slow the Japanese advance. FDR refused to lift the embargo against Japan until Japan made peace with China and promised not to invade British colonies in Asia.

14. Pearl Harbor attacked! 7 December, 1941 7 December, 1941

15. The U.S. suspected that the Japanese might attack the U.S. forces in the Philippines, but what happened was a surprise

16. In the early morning hours of 7 December, 1941, Japanese planes sank or damaged 21 U.S. ships and killed 2,400 Americans

17. On 8 December, 1941 FDR asked for a declaration of war against Japan. The Congress voted 470-1 in favor of going to war with Japan

18. On 11 December, 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S.A. due to their alliance with Japan. The world was truly at war now.