U.S. Neutrality and Involvement in World War II

First Neutrality Act

Banned arms exports to belligerent nations.

Financial Backing Avoidance

Prevented U.S. from funding belligerent nations.

FDR's Opposition

Franklin D. Roosevelt criticized the neutrality stance.

Cash and Carry Policy

Allowed trade if paid in cash, no credit.

Lend-Lease Program

Provided aid to Allies without direct involvement.

Bombing of Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941 attack by Japan.

Pacific Theater

Naval and air operations in the Pacific.

Embargo

Official ban on trade with a country.

Fear of Sabotage

Concerns about internal threats during Pearl Harbor.

Imperialism

Expansion to acquire resources and territory.

Declaration of War

US declared war on Japan after Pearl Harbor.

Internment Camps

FDR established camps for Japanese Americans.

National Hysteria

Fear led to internment of Japanese citizens.

Embargo

Official ban on trade with Japan.

War Declaration

Formal announcement of war against Japan.

Executive Order 9066

Allowed FDR to bypass constitutional protections.

Sonderkommando

Jewish prisoners forced to dispose of bodies.

Oppenheimer

Lead scientist of the Manhattan Project.

War Criminals

Individuals charged with war crimes.

Neutrality Act of 1937

Expanded restrictions due to Spanish Civil War.

Belligerent Nations

Countries engaged in conflict, subject to restrictions.

Isolationism

Policy of non-involvement in foreign conflicts.

Spanish Civil War

Conflict prompting U.S. to adjust neutrality stance.

American Ships Ban

Prohibited transporting goods to belligerent ports.

Allied Powers

Coalition including the U.S., UK, and USSR.

Axis Powers

Alliance of Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Czechoslovakia Annexation

Event that influenced U.S. neutrality policy.

European Theater

Land-based operations in Europe during WWII.

War Timing Variance

Different end dates for opposing sides.

Japan's Motivation

Sought recognition as a major power.

Post-WWI Discontent

Japan felt cheated of promised territories.

Hitler's Alliances

Formed partnerships with Japan before WWII.

U.S. Neutrality Shift

Gradual move towards supporting Allies.

Imperialism

Expansion of a nation's power and influence.

Open Door Policy

US trade policy allowing access to China.

Pearl Harbor

US naval base attacked by Japan, December 7, 1941.

USS Arizona

Battleship that suffered heavy casualties at Pearl Harbor.

Japanese Internment Camps

Detention centers for Japanese Americans during WWII.

High Alert

Military readiness status anticipating potential attacks.

First Wave Attack

Initial assault on Pearl Harbor at 7:49 AM.

Second Wave Attack

Follow-up assault targeting airfields and ships.

Admiral Limets

Regretted losses at Pearl Harbor, advocated recovery.

Germany's Declaration of War

Germany declared war on the US on December 11.

Latin America Allies

99% sided with Allies by Christmas 1941.

Malaya Offensive

Japan's campaign in Malaya began December 10, 1941.

Guam's Fall

Guam captured almost instantly by Japanese forces.

Wake Island Defense

Held out against Japanese until December 23, 1941.

Philippines Resistance

Held out against Japan until May 15, 1942.

Borneo and Timor

Fell to Japanese forces in early 1942.

Japanese Ambassador

Negotiated with US before Pearl Harbor attack.

US Military Drills

Prepared forces for potential attacks, created false security.

Japan's Strategic Planning

Coordinated attacks on multiple fronts simultaneously.

Casualties at Pearl Harbor

2400 killed, 1200 wounded during the attack.

FDR's Response

Set up internment camps due to paranoia.

WW1 Promises

Japan felt cheated by unfulfilled territorial promises.

Open Door Policy

US trade policy promoting equal access to China.

Embargo

US trade restrictions against Japan.

Pearl Harbor

US naval base attacked on December 7, 1941.

Surprise Attack

Japan attacked when US was least prepared.

USS Arizona

Ship with highest casualties during Pearl Harbor.

High Alert

US military readiness for potential Japanese attack.

First Wave Attack

138 planes targeted battleships and airfields.

Second Wave Attack

Follow-up wave targeting additional military assets.

Casualties at Pearl Harbor

2400 killed and 1200 wounded.

Admiral Limets

Regretted losses but saw recovery potential.

Germany and Italy

Declared war on US on December 11, 1941.

Latin America

Majority sided with Allies by Christmas 1941.

Wake Island

Defended against Japan until December 23.

Malaya Offensive

Japan's campaign began on February 10, 1942.

Military Drills

US conducted drills anticipating Japanese attack.

Japanese Intelligence

Japanese Americans relayed information to Japan.

Guam's Fall

Guam captured almost instantly by Japan.

Philippines Defense

Philippines held out until May 15, 1942.

Borneo and Timor

Fell to Japan in early 1942.

Open Door Policy

US trade policy promoting equal trade access.

USS Arizona

Battleship with highest casualties at Pearl Harbor.

First Wave Attack

Initial strike on Pearl Harbor at 7:49 AM.

Second Wave Attack

Follow-up strike targeting airfields and ships.

Admiral Limets

Regretted losses but saw strategic recovery potential.

Germany and Italy

Declared war on the US on December 11.

Wake Island

Defended against Japanese attack until December 23.

Guam

Fell to Japanese forces almost instantly.

Malaya

Fell to Japan on February 15, 1942.

Philippines

Held out against Japan until May 15, 1942.

Constant Drills

Prepared US forces but created incorrect mindset.

High Alert

US bases prepared for potential attacks for months.

Fear Tactics

Japan aimed to instill fear in US citizens.

Attack Timing

Planned for a Sunday, exploiting low readiness.

Japanese Intelligence

Gathered information from Japanese Americans in US.

Military Strategy

Japan aimed to attack US on multiple fronts.

Japanese American Internment

Incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Military Protections

Legal framework for detaining perceived threats.

Forced Evacuations

Removal of individuals without due process.

War Relocation Authority

Agency managing internment camps under Executive Order 9102.

Milton Eisenhower

Led the War Relocation Authority operations.

Civil Liberties Act

1988 act offering reparations to Japanese internees.

Internment Camps

Facilities where Japanese Americans were detained.

Final Solution

Nazi plan for the extermination of Jews.

Kristallnacht

State-sponsored violence against Jewish property in 1938.

Einzatzgruppen

SS units executing Jews in occupied territories.