Totalitarianism, U.S. Isolationism, and WWII Events

Joseph Stalin

Totalitarian leader of the Soviet Union during the 1930s.

Benito Mussolini

Led Fascist Italy in the 1930s.

Adolf Hitler

Led Nazi Germany and violated the Treaty of Versailles.

China

Country invaded by Japan in 1937.

Ethiopia

African country invaded by Italy in 1935.

Neutrality Acts of 1935-1937

Designed to prevent U.S. involvement in foreign wars.

Restrictions of the Neutrality Acts

Americans couldn't sell arms, make loans, or sail on belligerent ships.

Merchants of Death theory

The belief that arms dealers pushed the U.S. into WWI for profit.

Senator Gerald Nye

Led the Senate investigation into arms manufacturers in 1934.

Spanish Civil War

Seen as a dress rehearsal for WWII.

Francisco Franco

Led the fascist side in the Spanish Civil War.

Munich Conference of 1938

A meeting where Britain and France gave Hitler the Sudetenland (appeasement).

Non-Aggression Pact

Agreement Hitler made with Stalin before invading Poland.

September 1, 1939

Date when WWII officially began with Germany's invasion of Poland.

Neutrality Act of 1939

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

Destroyer-Base Deal

U.S. gave Britain ships in exchange for military base rights.

Lend-Lease Act (1941)

Provided weapons and supplies to Allies without direct involvement.

Economic Declaration of War

What the U.S. called its increasing support for Allies before entering WWII.

Atlantic Charter

Promoted self-determination and a postwar peace system (proto-United Nations).

December 7, 1941

Date when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

Result of the Pearl Harbor attack

The U.S. declared war on Japan, entering WWII.

Women in WWII

WWII broke the precedent of excluding women from the military.

African Americans in WWII

Allowed to serve in Army Air Corps, Marines, and later as officers in segregated units.

Benjamin O. Davis Sr.

First Black U.S. Brigadier General.

Tuskegee Airmen

All-Black fighter pilot units including the 99th Pursuit Squadron.

Dr. Charles Drew

Developed the first large-scale blood bank system.

Dorie Miller

A Black Navy cook at Pearl Harbor who manned guns and was awarded the Navy Cross.