The Second World War and the Americas (1933–1945)

Good Neighbor Policy

An attempt to distance the US from the interventionist policies of the early 20th century.

Montevideo Agreement 1933

Established that no state has the right to intervene in internal or external affairs of another.

Platt Amendment

A policy that was nullified by the Good Neighbor Policy and replaced by the Treaty of Relations (1934).

Buenos Aires Agreement 1936

Defined rules for action against a 'non-hemispheric aggressor' in the Americas.

US policy towards Latin America pre-WW2

Supported by much of Latin America during the build-up to World War 2.

Cooperation during WWII

Major coordination of trade and diplomacy with most of Latin America.

Mexico's oil companies nationalization in 1938

Mexico nationalized its oil companies and paid $20 million compensation to US companies.

Investments in Latin America

US business interests had around $5 billion invested in Latin America, with $1.5 billion in Cuba alone.

America First Committee

A group advocating for US neutrality during WWII and opposing involvement in the conflict.

Nye Committee

Investigated the munitions industry and criticized its exploitation for profit during wars.

US Neutrality Acts (1935-1937)

Laws that prohibited selling weapons to warring nations and focused on ‘Cash and Carry’ policy.

Lend Lease Act (1941)

Allowed the US to provide military supplies to allies without direct military involvement.

The McCollum Memo

Suggested that Japan should attack first to unify US public support for war against Japan.

Havana Act of 1940

Declared that any attack against an American Republic is an attack against all America.

Declaration of Panama 1938

Established a Pan-American Security Zone among 21 American republics.

US diplomatic approach in Latin America

Shifted from military intervention to diplomatic pressure.

FDR’s stance towards Latin American nations

Moved away from aggressive interventionist policies.

Cultural diplomacy during WWII

Promoted collaboration and cultural exchange with Latin America.

Effects of economic approaches to the Panama Canal

Focused on economic cooperation rather than military presence.

Lindbergh's views on war

Opposed US involvement in foreign conflicts and emphasized internal defense.

Non-hemispheric aggressor

Refers to aggressors outside of the Americas, as defined in Buenos Aires Agreement.

US business response to Good Neighbor Policy

Felt threatened by reduced military intervention that protected their investments.

Impact of WWII on US-Latin America relations

Enhanced cooperation among the Americas during wartime.

US security collaboration with Canada

Joint efforts for continent defense through the Permanent Joint Board of Defense.

Involvement in Cuba

A significant portion of American investment was focused there prior to WWII.

1933 U.S. Marines in Nicaragua

Occupation ended as a result of the Good Neighbor Policy.

US intervention in Haiti

Ended by FDR’s Good Neighbor Policy, leading to decreased military presence.

United States diplomatic pressure techniques

Employing negotiations and agreements instead of military force.

Defense of Canada

Could have triggered a declaration of war by the US if intervened.

Lindbergh’s concerns about race

He feared potential threats to the 'white race' which influenced his anti-war stance.

Criticism of munitions manufacturers

Accused of exploiting human nature to make profits through war.

Cash and Carry

A policy allowing trade with warring nations if they paid in cash and transported goods.

US reaction in 1938 to Nazi aggression

U.S. political landscape influenced by isolationist sentiments amid global unrest.

US financial interests in Latin America

Maintained through perceived 'protection' rather than direct intervention.

US diplomatic strategies pre-WW2

Focused on fostering cooperative relations instead of military dominance.

Lindbergh’s America First Committee formation

Aimed to prevent US military involvement in WWII.

Increasing militarist influence in Japan

Led to invasions and military aggression during the 1930s.

Cross-border diplomacy prior to WWII

Crucial for establishing agreements to avoid conflicts.

1930s international reaction to advancing fascism

Varied among nations, significantly affecting US foreign policy.

US policies toward non-intervention

Evolved as global tensions rose in the lead-up to WWII.

Pearl Harbor

The surprise military attack by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, which led the US to enter World War II.

Unconditional Surrender

The policy agreed upon by FDR and Churchill that stated Axis powers must surrender without conditions.

Battle of the Atlantic

A military campaign over control of the Atlantic Ocean during WWII where Canada played a crucial role.

Manhattan Project

A secret project that developed the atomic bomb, marking a significant advancement in military technology during WWII.

Dieppe Raid

A disastrous Allied assault on the French port of Dieppe in 1942, aimed at testing German defenses.

Battle of Midway

A decisive naval battle in the Pacific theater that marked a turning point in favor of the US.

Battle of Bulge

The last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during WWII, launched in December 1944.

Corvettes

Small, fast, and affordable warships used by Canada during WWII for convoy escort and anti-submarine warfare.

Juno Beach

The Canadian landing site on D-Day during World War II, which was notable for its success.

Sicily

The first Allied invasion of mainland Europe in 1943, led to the liberation of Italy.

Atomic Diplomacy

The use of atomic weaponry and its implications in negotiating post-war policies.

Guadalcanal

The first major offensive by Allied forces against Japan, marking a critical strategy in the Pacific theater.

Soviet Union frustration

The disappointment felt by the Soviet Union regarding the delayed opening of the Western Front.

Operation Husky

The Allied operation that led to the liberation of Sicily.

Saipan

An important battle in the Pacific, crucial for the US's strategic position against Japan.

Iwo Jima

A battle in the Pacific known for brutal fighting and significant loss of life, symbolizing American resolve.

Okinawa

The last major battle in the Pacific theater before the end of World War II.

Forgotten Battle of the Scheldt

A critical campaign to clear the shipping lanes to Antwerp, where Canadian forces played a vital role.

FDR

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the US president during most of World War II.

Churchill

Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister who collaborated with FDR during World War II.

Hong Kong 1941

A battle during which Japanese forces captured the British stronghold in Hong Kong shortly after Pearl Harbor.

When did Canada declare war on its own during World War II?

Canada declared war on its own on September 10, 1939.

What type of vessels did Canada use during the Battle of the Atlantic?

Canada used corvettes, which were cheap and fast boats.

What was the Hong Kong incident in 1941?

The Hong Kong incident was an attack by Japan after Pearl Harbor, where thousands of troops were killed or captured.

What was the Dieppe Raid?

The Dieppe Raid, in 1942, was a disastrous cross-channel invasion of France.

What significant actions did Canada take during D-Day?

Canada was instrumental in the invasion, taking the beach on D-Day (Juno) and was the only successful invasion there, as well as participating in the “forgotten battle” of the Scheldt.

Double V campaign

A call for victory abroad and at home over discrimination, advocating for full citizenship rights for African Americans.

A Philip Randolph

Most influential black union leader who threatened a march on Washington prompting Executive Order #8802.

Executive Order #8802

Banned discrimination in hiring practices in the defense industry.

Fair Employment Practices Act of 1942

Legislation that banned discrimination in any war-related industry.

Navajo code talkers

Native Americans who contributed by creating coded messages that shortened the war in the Pacific by 2 years.

Korematsu case

Legal case concerning the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Bracero program

A program that allowed cheap, exploitable labor from Hispanic Americans with guaranteed safe working conditions.

WACs

Women’s Army Corps, a unit of women who served in the military during World War II.

WASPs

Women Airforce Service Pilots, women who flew military aircraft during World War II.

Top secret rosies

Women who excelled in mathematics to do calculations for military missions.

Victory bonds

War bonds sold to fund the military efforts and promote patriotism.

Victory gardens

Private gardens promoted to reduce pressure on the public food supply during the war.

Rationing

Controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services during wartime.

African American military service

African Americans faced discrimination while serving in the military during World War II.

Internment of Japanese Americans

Forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans in camps during WWII.

Minorities in World War II

Various ethnic groups contributed significantly to the war effort and faced unique challenges.

Economic contributions of women

Women played a crucial role in the war industries by taking on jobs traditionally held by men.

War Bonds

Debt securities issued by a government to finance military operations during wartime.

Navajos in WWII

The 99% volunteer rate among the eligible Navajo population who served in the military.

Social impact of the war

World War II had a profound effect on various social groups, leading to changes in rights and roles.

Munson Report

A 1941 report stating that Japanese Americans posed no threat, claiming 'there is no Japanese problem on the west coast'.

Executive Order #9066

A February 1942 order declaring the west coast a military zone, allowing the removal of anyone deemed a threat.

War Relocation Authority

A U.S. government agency responsible for the deportations of Japanese Americans to assembly centers starting in May 1942.

Internment Camps

Facilities where Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated during World War II, including Manzanar and Heart Mountain.

Fred Korematsu vs US

A 1944 Supreme Court case where Fred Korematsu argued the internment of Japanese Americans was unconstitutional.

Compensation for Japanese Americans

In 1988, the U.S. government compensated Japanese Americans for internment with $20,000 each.

Japanese Canadians Internment

In January 1942, an order was issued affecting 23,000 Japanese Canadians, resulting in internment and family separations.

Conditions in Japanese Canadian Camps

Much worse than U.S. camps, with freezing conditions, lack of education, and no government support for basic needs.

Compensation for Japanese Canadians

Japanese Canadians were compensated $21,000 in 1988 for their internment experience.

Japanese Latin Americans

Individuals deported from Latin America (like Peru) and interned in the U.S. during WWII, mostly Japanese born.

INS camps for Japanese Latin Americans

Internment camps run by the Immigration and Naturalization Service for Japanese Latin Americans.

Total internees of Japanese Latin Americans

Approximately 3,000 Japanese Latin Americans were interned during WWII, with 70% being Japanese born.

Conditions in WRA camps

Better than those in Latin America camps, but involved deprivation and limited amenities.

Separation of Families in Camps

In Japanese Canadian internment, families were often split, with men in one camp and women and children in others.