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AMERICA DURING WORLD WAR II (1939-1945)
These notes will assist you as we discuss the America during World War II. You are
responsible for knowing the information below and what we cover in class.
World War II
Where- Europe and Asia
When- 1939-1945
Who- Allies (England, France, Soviet Union, United States (1941) vs.
Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan)
Why1. Causes of WWI has not been fully resolved
2. Versailles Treaty had not been enforced by League of Nations allowing dictators
to take over Italy, Germany, and Japan
3. Economic depression around the world in the 1920s and 30s led to rise of
dictatorships and spirit of nationalism
4. Italy, Germany, and Japan invade and conquer independent nations; England,
France and Soviet Union warn these nations to stop or be forced to stop
How- September 1, 1939 Germany invades Poland; England and France declare war on
Germany
U.S. Reaction to Start of WWII
1. U.S. had a policy of isolationism due to bad memories and losses from WWI and
problems at home, Great Depression
2. In 1935 and 1937, U.S. Congress passed Neutrality Acts forbidding Americans
from aiding any nation at war
Why and How United States Become More Involved in WWII?
1. President Roosevelt wanted U.S. to assist Allies
2. 1940- U.S. Congress authorizes U.S. to support Allies by allowing them to pay
cash for war related goods if they carried them in their ships – “cash and carry”
3. France surrenders to Germany in June, 1940; England left to fight Germany alone
4. September, 1940- U.S. begins a military draft
5. March 1941- Congress passes Lend-Lease Act allowing U.S. to lend or lease
weapons to “any country whose defense was vital to the United States.”
6. August, 1941- President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill
sign Atlantic Charter (read more about this on page 737)
Why Did the United States Enter WWII?
1. U.S. demanded that Japan withdraw its troops from China
2. President Roosevelt froze Japanese assets in U.S./ Japan did same to U.S./ JapanU.S. trading comes to a halt
3. U.S. refuses to supply oil to Japan and sends aid to China
4. While diplomatic talks are taking place between Japanese and American officials,
Japan prepares for an attack
5. U.S. breaks Japanese secret code but is unaware where attack will take place
6. On November 25, 1941 Japanese navy sails toward Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where
U.S. Pacific Fleet is stationed
7. Sunday, December 7, 1941-Japan attacks Pearl Harbor/ most of the U.S. ships are
destroyed or badly damaged/ U.S. Navy suffered more damage than in all of
WWI
8. Monday, December 8, 1941-U.S. declares war on Japan/ Germany and Italy
declare war on U.S.
How Did the U.S. Respond After declaring War?
1. Selective Service Act provided 16.5 men to the Armed Forces
2. U.S. Government spent billions of dollars on the military and war related products
3. U.S. government collected money by raising taxes and selling war bonds to
American citizens
4. U.S. factories were producing war materials at record rates/ by 1944 the U.S. was
producing as many war materials as the Axis countries combined! (statistics on p.
740)
5. By 1944, 53 million Americans were working an average of 45.2 hours a week,
earning overtime and making more money than ever before/ the Great Depression
was over!
6. Unions became stronger and membership rose from 10.5 million to 15 million
7. Office of Price Administration (OPA) set up a system of rationing (p.745) and set
a maximum on prices of all goods people could buy (gas, meat, sugar, coffee, etc.)
8. African-Americans served in the armed forces, which were segregated by race,
and work in war plants in U.S./ millions of African-Americans moved from the
South to the North and West looking for factory jobs
9. Women served in the armed forces and about 2 million worked in war plants/ they
received less pay than men and had little job security
10. Japanese-Americans were forced to relocate to internment camps by Executive
Order 9022/ 120,000 stayed in these camps until the end of the war/ U.S. Supreme
Court ruled in Korematsu v. U.S. (1944) that this order did not violate any civil
liberities of Japanese-Americans because it was a “military necessity” proving
that in times of war the government can limit the rights and freedoms of
Americans
11. About 17,000 Japanese-Americans enlisted in the U.S. armed forces (they were
segregated as well)/ the all Japanese-American 442nd regiment received more
medals than any other American combat unit
How Did WWII Come to an End?
1.
June 6, 1944- D-Day, the allied invasion of France begins/ eventually leads to
Germany’s retreat
2.
April 12, 1945- President Roosevelt dies in Warms Springs, GA.
3.
April 25, 1945- U.S. and Soviet troops meet at the Elbe River in Germany/ first
time the two allied sides met
4.
May 7, 1945- V-E Day (Victory in Europe) Germany surrenders to allies
5.
August 6 and 9, 1945- U.S. drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
Japan
6. September 2, 1945- V-J Day (Victory in Japan) Japan surrenders/ WWII is over!
Aftermath of WWII
1. U.S. becomes first global superpower
2. United Nations is established
3. Europe and Japan are in ruins
4. U.S.-Soviet Union Cold War begins
5. Women and African-Americans expect to be treated equally from now on
6. U.S. avoids a return to economic depression by passing the G.I. Bill (1944)