lightning war," overwhelming several western European nations. - **Immediate Consequences**: Russia and Germany signed a non-aggression pact, leading Britain and France to declare war on Germany. ## AMERICAN NEUTRALITY ACTS - **Acts**: Neutrality Acts were established in 1935 and 1937 to prevent weapons sales to Europe. - **Amendment**: The Neutrality Act of 1939 allowed England and France to purchase arms for cash under a “cash and carry” policy, which meant they would transport them on their vessels. ## DESTROYERS-FOR-BASES DEAL - **Arrangement**: The U.S. traded fifty destroyers with Britain for 99-year leases to establish military bases in British territories in the Western Hemisphere during 1939-1940. ## ELECTIONS AND ISOLATIONIST STANCE - **1940 Presidential Election**: Franklin D. Roosevelt won an unprecedented third term, while America maintained an isolationist attitude towards the war. ## LEND-LEASE PROGRAM - **Initiation**: The program was established in March 1941 to provide Allied nations with arms and materials to combat the Axis powers. - **Authorization**: Originally authorized an amount of $7 billion, later expanded to $48 billion by August 1945, which included repayments. ## ATLANTIC CHARTER - **Meeting Between Leaders**: FDR met with Winston Churchill in August 1941 to discuss military strategy and establish postwar world principles, such as collective security and disarmament. ## BLITZKRIEG Campaigns - **Targets**: Blitzkrieg was employed against Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, and France, rendering French defenses (e.g., Maginot Line) ineffective. ## MIRACLE AT DUNKIRK - **Timeline of Events**: On May 10, 1940, the German invasion of western Europe began, and by May 20, German forces pushed towards the English Channel. - **Rescue Operations**: Operation Dynamo aimed to evacuate British troops from Dunkirk, with an eventual evacuation of 338,226 men, utilizing private vessels in a coordinated effort. ## BATTLE OF BRITAIN - **Air Assaults**: The Luftwaffe launched an attack on England from July 10 to the end of October 1940. The British Royal Air Force (RAF) managed to fend off assaults but suffered losses. - **Strategic Importance**: This battle marked Germany's first significant defeat and positioned Britain as a crucial line of defense for allied forces. ## GATHERING STORM: 1940-1941 - **Isolationism to Engagement**: The U.S. sought to remain neutral initially but faced pressures from escalating global conflict and ultimately engaged following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. ## JAPANESE AGGRESSION IN ASIA - **History of Expansion**: 1931 invasion of China begins with control of Manchuria, withdrawal from the League of Nations in 1933, and subsequent agreements with Nazi Germany and Italy in 1937. - **Conflict with China**: After attacking China in 1937, Japan continued territorial expansion leading to control of critical regions within Asia. ## PEARL HARBOR ATTACK - **Surprise Attack**: Launched by Japan on December 7, 1941, as retaliation for U.S. embargoes and economic pressures. - **Outcome**: The attack led to a unified American declaration of war against Japan on December 8, 1941. ## FDR'S DECLARATION OF WAR - **Key Moment**: FDR formally asked Congress to declare war on Japan on December 8, 1941, marking America's entry into World War II. ## HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND DOCUMENTS - Photographic evidence of critical moments including the attack on Pearl Harbor and FDR’s war declaration, showcasing the significant impacts of these events on the course of history. Alpha-Ouxtensivo