Unit #10 World War II, 1930s-1945

Good Neighbor Policy

With the rise of the Nazis during WWII, the US sought to foster a better relationship with Latin America to fight the possibility of them from siding with Germany and the other Axis powers. The US would no longer interfere militarily with Latin America, but they did also support dictators or oppressive leaders who were friendly to American interests.

Neutrality Acts

The Neutrality Acts were fueled by public sentiment to not get involved in WWII as many thought involvement in WWI was a mistake. They banned the shipment of arms to belligerent nations, but would eventually turn into the “cash and carry” policy, and later the Lend-Lease Act. These acts show the ways in which the US was isolationist during this era.

Lend-Lease Act

The Lend-Lease Act was passed in 1941 and allowed the US to ship arms and other supplies to the Allies as long as they promised to pay it back somehow. Most of the aid went to Great Britain, but also went towards the Soviet Union and China. This act shows how the US was not isolationist during this era and how they were likely to enter WWII anyways.

Atlantic Charter

Before the US entered WWII, FDR and Winston Churchill signed the Atlantic Charter, which outlined the goals for a post-war world, including free trade and self determination. The charter was based on Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points and also called for a League of Nations type organization. It would be a step towards creating the United Nations and also show how the US was not isolationist.

Pearl Habor

On December 7th, 1941, Japan launched an attack on the US naval base on Pearl Harbor, killing 2,400 Americans. This sparked public outrage and was the catalyst that pushed the US into WWII as Congress declared war against Japan and then Germany and Italy. This event garnered collective support for involvement in the war.

Executive Order 9066

In 1942, FDR signed Executive Order 9066, which forced all those of Japanese descent on the West Coast into internment camps. About 120,000 people were forcibly moved, one-third of them being immigrants (Issei), and the rest being citizens (Nisei). While Pearl Harbor was a large contributor to the widespread hate and fear of Japanese people, this hate was already present before WWII.

Japanese Internment Camps

Japanese interment camps were mainly present on the West Coast in remoted desert land, where people had little privacy, medical facilities, and subpar food. However, people tried to make life better by decorating their homes, planting vegetable gardens, and organizing community activities. These camps would begin closing from about 1945 to 1946.

Korematsu v United States

In 1944, the Supreme Court refused the appeal of Japanese-citizen Fred Korematsu, who was arrested for refusing to present himself for internment. This case decided that Executive Order 9066 and forcibly moving people into internment camps was not unconstitutional during war, or times of clear and present danger.

Manhattan Project

Concerned that Germany was developing nuclear weapons, the American government had J. Robert Oppenheimer lead the Manhattan Project, which aimed to develop the first atomic bomb. Scientists created “Little Boy” and “Fat Man”, which would be detonated on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bombs would, as Oppenheimer put it, become “the destroyer of worlds”, launching the world into the Cold War era.

Rosie the Riveter

Rosie the Riveter was a piece of propaganda made during WWII to encourage women on the homefront to contribute to the war effort by working in industrial jobs. This poster shows how during WWII, many women gained an expansion of their typical roles as housewives and mothers, although it was viewed as a temporary sacrifice and not as a fight for women’s rights.

Bracero Program

During the Great Depression, many Mexicans were pushed out of the US. But with America’s entrance into WWII, the government needed people to fill in the jobs left behind. This led to an agreement between the US and Mexico known as the Bracero Program, where over 4.5 million Mexican workers were brought over to work in mainly agricultural jobs. However, they faced intense hate and discrimination due to the public opinion of them as criminals.

Zoot Suit Riots

The Zoot Suit Riots occurred in 1943 in Los Angeles when US servicemen attacked Mexican American youths who wore “zoot suits,” which were seen as unpatriotic during wartime fabric rationing. Police often arrested the victims rather than the attackers. The riots highlight racial discrimination on the home front during WWII despite the nation fighting for democracy abroad.

Double V for Victory

The Double V campaign was launched by the Pittsburgh Courier during WWII and called for victory against fascism abroad and racism at home. African Americans supported the war effort while also demanding civil rights and an end to segregation. The campaign increased pressure on the federal government to address racial inequality. It shows how WWII became a turning point for the modern Civil Rights Movement.

NAACP

The NAACP was a major civil rights organization that pushed for racial equality through legal action and protest. During WWII, membership increased significantly as African Americans demanded equal treatment in defense jobs and the military. The organization helped pressure FDR to issue Executive Order 8802, which banned discrimination in defense industries. 

Code Talkers

Code talkers were Native American Marines, especially Navajo soldiers, who used their language to create an unbreakable code during battles in the Pacific. Their code was never deciphered by Japan and played a crucial role in US victories. Despite facing discrimination at home, they served with distinction. Their contribution highlights the diverse groups that supported the war effort.

War Production Board

The War Production Board was created in 1942 to oversee the conversion of peacetime industries to wartime production. It allocated raw materials and prioritized military needs, leading to massive production of tanks, planes, and ships. Consumer goods became limited as factories focused on war supplies. 

War Labor Board

The War Labor Board was established to prevent strikes that could disrupt war production. It encouraged negotiations between labor unions and employers and often granted wage increases to maintain productivity. In return, unions agreed not to strike during the war. This reflects cooperation between labor and government during WWII.

Office of Price Administration

The Office of Price Administration controlled inflation during WWII by setting price limits and rationing goods like gas, meat, and sugar. Americans used ration books to purchase scarce items. The goal was to ensure fair distribution and prevent wartime inflation. This demonstrates how the government regulated daily life on the homefront.

Big Three

The Big Three referred to FDR, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin, the leaders of the US, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union during WWII. They met at conferences such as Tehran and Yalta to plan military strategy and discuss postwar Europe. Although united against the Axis powers, tensions between them foreshadowed the Cold War. Their alliance shaped the outcome of WWII and the postwar world.

United Nations

The United Nations was created in 1945 to promote international cooperation and prevent future wars. It replaced the failed League of Nations and included major powers in the Security Council to maintain peace. The US played a leading role in its creation, reflecting a shift away from isolationism after WWII. It marked the beginning of a new era of global leadership for the US.