Road to Pearl Harbor

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

A 60-nation agreement to outlaw war except in self-defense, but it had loopholes and lacked enforcement.

What happened in 1931 involving Japan?

Japan invaded Manchuria without civilian government consent.

What was Manchukuo?

A puppet state created by Japan in Manchuria.

What agreements did Japan violate by invading Manchuria?

The Open Door Policy, Kellogg-Briand Pact, Nine Powers Pact, and League of Nations policies.

How did President Herbert Hoover respond to Japan’s actions in Manchuria?

He issued the Stimson Doctrine and avoided military action.

What was the Stimson Doctrine?

A policy stating the U.S. would not recognize territories acquired by force.

How did Great Britain respond to Japan’s aggression?

Even more weakly than the United States.

Who became president in 1932?

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR).

What was the goal of the New Deal?

To increase government spending and help Americans during the Great Depression.

What was the focus of the United States during the early 1930s?

Fixing domestic problems rather than foreign affairs.

What was the London Conference of 1933?

A meeting to create international economic cooperation.

Why did Roosevelt’s “bombshell message” upset European leaders?

He refused to tie the U.S. dollar to the gold standard.

What did the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1934 do?

Allowed the president to lower tariffs without Congress if other nations did the same.

What major diplomatic step did FDR take with the Soviet Union?

He officially recognized it to promote trade.

What was the Good Neighbor Policy?

A policy where the U.S. reduced intervention in Latin America.

What happened to U.S. troops in Latin America under the Good Neighbor Policy?

They were withdrawn.

What was the Roosevelt Corollary?

A policy allowing U.S. intervention in Latin America, later rejected.

Why did Hitler gain power in Germany?

Weak democracy, economic problems, political divisions, and public support for fascism.

What did the Reichstag do for Adolf Hitler?

Gave him absolute control of Germany.

What was Mein Kampf?

Hitler’s book outlining his ideas and goals.

What did Mussolini do in Ethiopia?

Invaded it to try to strengthen Italy’s economy.

How did the world respond to Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia?

They did little due to fear of war and economic concerns.

What did Germany do in violation of the Treaty of Versailles?

Rebuilt its military and remilitarized the Rhineland.

What was Hitler’s later comment about the Rhineland?

France could have stopped him easily, but didn’t.

What caused the Spanish Civil War?

Francisco Franco led a rebellion against the elected government.

Who supported Franco in the Spanish Civil War?

Germany and Italy.

Who supported the Loyalists in the Spanish Civil War?

The Soviet Union and about 3,000 American volunteers.

How did Britain, France, and the U.S. respond to the Spanish Civil War?

They did not intervene.

Why did many Americans support isolationism?

Memories of WWI, fear of communism, and hope to avoid conflict.

What did the Neutrality Act of 1935 do?

Banned arms sales to nations at war.

What did the Neutrality Act of 1936 add?

Banned loans to countries at war.

What did the Neutrality Act of 1937 do?

Allowed trade only on a “cash and carry” basis.

What sparked the war between Japan and China in 1937?

The Marco Polo Bridge incident.

What was Roosevelt’s Quarantine Speech?

A call for collective action against aggressive nations.

What was the USS Panay Incident?

Japan bombed a U.S. ship but later apologized and paid damages.

How did Americans react to the Panay Incident?

With little concern; they remained isolationist.

With little concern; they remained isolationist.

A region of Czechoslovakia Hitler wanted to annex.

What was the Munich Pact?

An agreement allowing Hitler to take the Sudetenland in exchange for peace.

Why is Neville Chamberlain criticized?

For appeasing Hitler and showing weakness.

What was the Nonaggression Pact of 1939?

An agreement between Hitler and Stalin not to attack each other.

What happened on September 1, 1939?

Germany invaded Poland using blitzkrieg

What did Britain and France do after Poland was invaded?

Declared war on Germany, starting WWII.

What was Roosevelt’s initial response to WWII?

Declared neutrality and stopped arms sales.

What did the Neutrality Act of 1939 change?

Allowed arms sales on a cash-and-carry basis.