📘 The United States Enters World War II

What was the goal of the Neutrality Acts of the 1930s?

To keep the United States out of foreign wars by restricting trade and involvement with warring nations.

What did the Neutrality Act of 1935 prohibit?

The sale of arms and war materials to nations at war.

How did U.S. neutrality policy change in September 1939?

It was revised to a cash-and-carry system allowing trade if goods were paid for and transported by the buyer.

Why did cash-and-carry move the U.S. away from strict neutrality?

It favored Britain and France, who could afford and safely transport American goods.

What was the Destroyers-for-Bases Deal of September 1940?

The U.S. gave Britain naval destroyers in exchange for military base rights.

Why was the Destroyers-for-Bases Deal significant?

It strengthened Britain and showed growing U.S. commitment to the Allied cause.

What was the Selective Service Act of 1940?

The first peacetime military draft in U.S. history.

What was the America First Committee?

A movement opposing U.S. entry into World War II.

Who was the most famous spokesman for America First?

Charles Lindbergh.

Why did Lindbergh oppose U.S. intervention?

He believed Germany was too strong, trusted American defenses, feared communism, and opposed expanding presidential power.

Why was Lindbergh controversial?

He portrayed the war as an internal conflict among white nations and made statements seen as antisemitic.

What did Franklin D. Roosevelt mean by calling the U.S. the “Arsenal of Democracy”?

America should supply nations fighting fascism to defend democracy.

What was the Lend-Lease Act?

A program allowing the U.S. to supply food, weapons, and materials to countries fighting Axis powers.

When was the Lend-Lease Act passed?

March 1941.

Why did Roosevelt describe Lend-Lease as the “Good Samaritan” policy?

The U.S. aided nations in danger without immediate payment.

How did the America First Committee view U.S. entry into the war?

They argued war would undermine democracy at home.

Why did tensions between the U.S. and Japan increase in the 1930s?

Japanese expansion in Asia and discriminatory U.S. immigration laws.

What economic actions did the U.S. take against Japan in 1940?

Restrictions on exports of oil, steel, and other materials.

Why were oil embargoes especially threatening to Japan?

Japan depended heavily on imported oil to sustain its military.

What happened in September 1940 that aligned Japan with Europe’s dictatorships?

Japan joined the Axis alliance with Germany and Italy.

What did Japan do in July 1941 that escalated tensions further?

Seized French Indochina.

How did the U.S. respond to Japan’s move into Indochina?

Embargoed oil and froze Japanese assets.

Who became prime minister of Japan in October 1941?

General Hideki Tojo.

Why did Japanese leaders see war with the U.S. as increasingly likely?

Economic pressure threatened Japan’s ability to sustain its empire.

What happened on December 7, 1941?

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

Why was the attack on Pearl Harbor a turning point?

It brought the United States fully into World War II.

How did Pearl Harbor transform the war?

It turned World War II into a truly global conflict.