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.
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