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What was America’s policy during the first years of World War II?
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America’s policy during the first years of WWII was to do anything but fight. They would lend and lease supplies, warships, and airplanes, but they would not fight. Churchill and FDR kept a steady stream of telegraphs running between them. However, despite Churchill’s urgings, FDR would not enter the war…yet. This is significant, because this left England equipped but alone in this war.
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Why did FDR propose Lend-Lease?
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FDR proposed the Lend-Lease because he felt it was the least he could do. Isolationists were against even recognizing the war’s future effect on America, let alone that we could possibly be need to aid in it. Britain was in dire need, and in order to keep England from falling under and the Axis powers from taking over all of Europe – and eventually the world – they needed to help. It was for both the protection of the Europeans, and the security of the Americans. This is important, because many were against having the Lend-Lease, but it turned out to be – in my opinion – a very professional and diplomatic move.
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Why did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor?
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Japan and America did not necessarily have a pleasant relationship at the time. America had encouraged Britain to end its collaboration with Japan after WWI. When the Japanese attacked their “weaker neighbor” China, Americans were mortified, especially when they heard of the Rape of Nanking. During the war between the Japanese and the Chinese, the USS Panay was sunk by the Japanese, killing hundreds of sailors. The Japanese were also with the Germans at the time, and so I assume there was also some encouragement from Hitler to try to injure America. America had also made an oil embargo against Japan. (Japan needs oil to run the war.) This is important, because thousands died in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and this practically marked our official entrance into the war. This also led to much pain in Japan, since they had “awakened the sleeping giant” who would kill millions of their men.
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Why did America enter World War II?
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America was outraged at the attack on Pearl Harbor. They felt a sudden intrusion of privacy, and did not particularly like it. Hitler then declared war only four days later on the Americans. After those two pushes, they decided to prepare for war. This is important, because America’s hand in the war was vital.
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How did America end up fighting Hitler?
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Hitler declared war on the United States just four days after Pearl Harbor (12/11/41). This was considered a “suicidal move” to some. This is important, because this was such a stupid move.
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What else happened on December 7, 1941?
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On December 7th, the Empire of Japan also made several other attacks. They attacked the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong, along with the American dependencies of Guam, the Philippines, and the Wake and Midway Islands. This is significant, because it showed how serious Japan was. They hated not only America, but anybody who was attached to America or who was associated with America. This surely endangered FDR far more.
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Hitler began putting the Jews to death by gas, particularly in the killing vans with rerouted gas pipes into the back. This is important, because this led to many deaths by gas in the following few years.
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What was executive order 9066?
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This is considered to be one of FDR’s greatest mistakes on the 19th of February, 1942. This ordered that all people of Japanese descent – legal or not – would be put in internment camps across the West. Many temporarily lost their property and the respect and trust of their neighbors. This is important, because this was unfair and unjust. This caused more racial discrimination and is considered a dark spot in our nation’s history.
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What was the Doolittle Raid?
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America was depressed after the tragic defeat in the Philippines, so FDR ordered a raid on Tokyo to cheer them up. Colonel Doolittle was the leader of the 16 bombers launched from the deck of the USS Hornet. These 30 seconds were not a very disastrous blow to Japan, but they did the Japanese leaders to pale a little. This is important, because it showed to Japan that they were vulnerable to air raids and gave America a boost of moral.
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How did WWII provide a step forward for racial equality in America?
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Many Black Americans went to work not only in the artillery industry (which caused riots), but many went to war in all black regiments. We even had our first black general! There was also A. Phillip Randolph, who desired to use the war as means to bring to pass greater equality in the work force. This is important, because some of the events that happened during WWII involving civil rights led to the Civil Rights Movement in the ‘60s, and further racial justice.
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What was the “Final Solution”?
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The Final Solution was the complete annihilation of the Jews. After getting sick of the tedious job of merely mass shooting, Hitler decided they needed a better way to get rid of the Jews. He began relocating them to camps such as Auschwitz to be murdered by the masses. This was his way to make Europe a continent free of Jews – the Holocaust. This is important, because this “Final Solution” resulted in thousands of forced final breaths.
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Why did America agree to a “Germany first” strategy?
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America agreed to a “Germany first” strategy because they felt Germany was the root of the problem. Germany was considered the “greater menace.” Although the Allies didn’t always agree on tactics, they agreed on the strategy. Germany was definitely closer to England than Japan was, so they were considered the main problem. If England got captured, then America was doomed in the European war. This is important, because this changed how the war was fought and how the world looked at the close of the war.
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How did America mobilize for war?
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America quickly began enlisting men and women into the service. Since the pre-war military conscription bill had been passed in Congress, America now had the ability to quickly enlist men and women – and in great numbers. America held the largest number of troops, rising over 12 million. This was based off of volunteers (people who volunteer to fight) and conscription (draft.) This is significant, because it symbolized a “monumental investment” for American democracy.
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How did America’s productive capacity benefit her war effort?
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Since America was as industrial as it was, it easily converted to the war effort. Automobile manufacturers turned to making tanks and aircrafts. Miners – despite their resistance – were forced to keep on digging up coal, unless they wanted to be drafted. 2,751 Liberty ships were built to supply the desperate need of naval reinforcement. America’s seemingly “unlimited” work capacity and workers was very important to the war, because it kept us in the war. Women began taking over the work force. The nationwide support – especially from the industrial side – was fundamental.
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What was the Battle of the Atlantic?
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The Battle of the Atlantic was the naval battle between the Allies and the Axis Powers. The German U-Boats were proving it difficult to send supplies over to Great Britain. The U-Boats – “Wolf Packs” - would prey upon the shores of America, and battle against the Coast Guard. Many American ships were destroyed by the sneaky U-Boats. This is significant, because this increased America’s desire to better our naval strength, and made the war even more dangerous in the oceans. This was the longest battle in WWII. This was the battle not only of warfare, but of starvation, since Britain was starving without America’s aid.
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What were some important battles early in WWII?
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Battle of Coral Sea, Battle of the Atlantic, Invasion of Sicily, Battle of Midway, Battle of Guadalcanal, El Alamein, Stalingrad, and Operation Torch are a few of the important battles in the early stages of WWII. These are important because these were essential to how the war would turn out.
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