The Road to WW2, 1931-1941

Japanese Expansion in the Far East

The movement of Japan into areas such as Korea and Manchuria, beginning in 1900.

Manchukuo

A state created by Japan after they invaded Manchuria in 1931, taking over part of China.

Open Door Policy

A principle that aimed to ensure equal trade rights for all nations in China, which was violated by Japan's actions.

Benito Mussolini

Italian leader who came to power and promised to return Italy to its former glory through fascism.

Nazism

A political ideology led by Adolf Hitler, focusing on the belief that Germany had not truly lost WWI and opposing politicians.

Quarantine Speech

A speech by FDR in which he called for economic pressure against aggressor nations.

Neutrality Act of 1937

Legislation that aimed to keep the US out of conflicts by restricting sales and loans to countries at war.

Munich Conference

A 1938 meeting where Britain, Germany, Italy, and France agreed to allow Germany to occupy Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia.

Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact

A 1939 agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union to not attack each other for 10 years.

Destroyers for Bases Act 1940

An agreement where the US provided destroyers to Britain in exchange for access to their military bases.

Lend-Lease Act, 1941

A program that allowed the US to supply war material to any nation whose defense was considered vital to the US.

Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

A concept promoted by Japan to establish a region under Asian rule, starting with the takeover of territories like French Indochina.

Tripartite Act, 1940

An agreement among Germany, Italy, and Japan to cooperate with each other.

Pearl Harbor

A major U.S. naval base attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, marking the end of American neutrality and the entry into WWII.

FDR

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the US President during the buildup to WWII, known for shifting American opinion toward involvement in the war.

Kearny Incident

An event where the US destroyer Kearny was attacked by Germans but survived, escalating tensions. October 1941

Reuben James

A US destroyer that was sunk by Germans, resulting in significant loss of life.

Spanish Civil War (1936)

A conflict that was indicative of the rise of fascism in Europe and the increasing tensions leading up to WWII.