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American History
Unit IV- A Champion of
Democracy
Chapter 13 – Section 3
The United States Enters the War
The United States Enters the War
The Main Idea
Isolationist feeling in the United States was strong in the 1930s, but
Axis aggression eventually destroyed it and pushed the United
States into war.
Reading Focus
• Why was a commitment to isolationism so widespread in the
1930s?
• How did Roosevelt balance American isolationism with the need
to intervene in the war?
• What did the United States do to prepare for war in 1940 and
1941?
• What were the causes and effects of the Japanese attack at Pearl
Harbor?
United States Isolationism in the
1930s
The desire to avoid involvement in foreign wars was known as
isolationism. Isolationists were not necessarily pacifists. Most
isolationists simply wanted to preserve America’s freedom to
choose the time and place for action.
Many Americans questioned what the Allies’ costly victory in
World War I had actually achieved. Anti-League of Nation
feelings soared as people believed that the League might drag
the United States into future wars.
Roosevelt was not an isolationist; however, he was focused on
solving problems at home by implementing his New Deal
programs. Congress did pass isolationist measures such as the
Neutrality Act in 1935.
American Isolationism (02:41)
Isolationism versus Intervention
Isolationism

The Neutrality Act prohibited
the sale of arms or making
loans to warring countries.
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Roosevelt needed the support
of isolationists in Congress.
They wanted to remain
neutral.
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The United States did not
intervene in the Spanish Civil
War or the Japanese invasion
of China.
Intervention
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When Italy invaded Ethiopia,
Roosevelt stopped arms sales
to both countries—which hurt
only Italy.
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Roosevelt did not want to
remain neutral—he was
worried about the aggressive
actions of totalitarian leaders.
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Roosevelt began to speak out
against neutrality with his
Quarantine Speech.
U.S. Reaction- Neutrality
FDR does not ask the
American People to be
neutral in thought and deed.
He invoked the Neutrality Act
of 1937.
FDR got Congress to pass the
Neutrality Act of 1939 which
helped the allies by
repealing the arms
embargo.
U.S. Neutrality Acts
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Tydings-McDuffie Act 1934- provided for
the independence of the Philippines by
1946.
1935- FDR recommends the US join the
World Court- isolationists say no.
1935-1936 Neutrality Acts- US citizens
travel at own risk to Belligerent nations,
shipment of arms barred to Spain during
civil war (this helped the fascists.).
1937- Sales to belligerents, but only on
“cash and carry” basis.- law embargoed
munitions and possibly other exports the
President saw fit.
1937 amendment would have prevented
Congress from declaring war without first
submitting the question to a popular vote.
It was never submitted.
These laws did not block the world from
going to war.
FDR and neutrality
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FDR warned America about war and that
the US could not be a mere spectator. He
wanted quarantine, but did not get it
Pacifists- never go to war for any reason.
Isolationists- fence off the New World and
keep the war out.
5th Columnists- German agents operating
inside the United States waiting to become
active.
Nazi sympathizers- Italian and German
immigrants and American Nazi.
Defeatists- We can not possible defeat them.
(Lindbergh)
Hate England Crowd – such as the Irish.
Business as usual- businesses profiting from
the war. Arms manufacturers and bankers
profit either way.
Appeasers- Give in to Hitler’s demands
American Isolationism
Why was a commitment to isolationism so
widespread in the 1930’s?
 Identify – What foreign policy matter did
President Roosevelt address while he was
focusing on his New Deal programs?
 Evaluate – Why do you think the
Neutrality Act prohibited the export of
arms, ammunition, or any other tools of
war to any country that was at war?

Balancing Isolationism and Intervention
How did Roosevelt balance American
isolationism with the need to intervene in the
war?
 Identify – What events of the mid-1930’s led
President Roosevelt to give his quarantine
speech?
 Analyze – Why did Roosevelt grow increasingly
unwilling to allow America to remain isolationist?
 Evaluate – Why do you think businesses
refused Roosevelt’s request to end oil shipments
to Italy?

The United States Prepares for
War
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Roosevelt asked Congress for money to build
new naval vessels.
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Congress changed the neutrality laws to a new
policy called cash-and-carry.
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Congress approved despite isolationist complaints.
Countries at war could buy American goods if they paid
cash and picked up their goods at American ports.
Roosevelt urged a policy of “all aid short of war.”

He traded 50 aging warships for eight British military
bases. Isolationists opposed the deal, but were too
weak to stop it.
The United States prepares for war

U.S. needs to rearm50,000 planes in 1941,
and every year till
Nazi’s are defeated.
 Billions were asked for
to build a two ocean
navy.
 Isolationists still hoped
the Neutrality Acts of
1939 would keep us out
of war.
Destroyers for Bases Deal
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To get around the laws on helping
beligerents, FDR approved the
selling of American military
equipment to private companies
the were buying for the British.
Churchill wanted U.S. destroyers
to protect ships at sea and
supplies.
President devised the “Destroyers
for bases deal”- we transferred 50
old but useful destroyers to Great
Britain in exchange for the use of
8 British naval bases in the
Atlantic. Britain was to never
surrender this fleet to Hitler.
Helping the British
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England out of cash for
Cash and Carry. With
Neutrality law in place
FDR could not help the
English and they would
surely lose the war.
Lend-Lease- clever planwe would offer to lease
(lend) to countries whose
defense was considered
vital to the defense of the
U.S.
British would not need
cash to get the supplies.
Preparing for War
Roosevelt defeated business leader Wendell Willkie for an
unprecedented third term as president. He felt world events
required experience in the White House.
Roosevelt wanted to make the United States an “arsenal of
democracy.” Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act, which
allowed the nation to send weapons to Great Britain.
Roosevelt and Winston Churchill met secretly in 1941. They
agreed to the Atlantic Charter. This document proclaimed the
shared goals of the United States and Britain in opposing Hitler
and his Allies.
Despite German U-boat attacks on U.S. ships trying to deliver
goods under the Lend-Lease Act, isolationists continued to
oppose entry into the war.
World affairs and the presidential campaign of 1940
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Wilkie vs. FDR
Wilkie opposed the New
Deal, but also wanted to
help Great Britain and the
draft.
Wilkie became reckless in
his attacks and FDR
reckless in his responces
about sending the boys to
war.
FDR won easily but not as
large as before.- but 1st
president to be elected to
Atlantic Charter
Meeting of
Churchill and
FDR off
Newfoundland.
Up-to-date version
of Wilson’s 14
points.
Four Freedoms Speech
 freedom
of
speech
 freedom of
religion
 freedom from
want
 freedom from
fear
The Lend-Lease Act: America Aids Great Britain 1:36
Preparing for War
What did the United States do to prepare for
war in 1940 and 1941?
 Identify – What was the Lend-Lease Act?
 Analyze – Do you think Roosevelt should have
made stronger attempts to convince isolationists
of the need for the U.S. to enter the war?
 Make judgments – Do you think that the U.S.
should “police a world that chooses to follow
insane leaders”? Why or Why not?
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The Path to Infamy (03:48)
Trouble in the Pacific
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Japan not the Germans would plunge the U.S.
into war.
1940- Japan became a partner of Germany
and Italy
Japan’s empire was called “The Greater East
Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere”- Japan had taken
unprotected French and Dutch lands and
British lands and China were also on their list.
Japan wanted to seal off the “Burma Road”the Allied supply route for China. They did
successfully occupy bases in French Indochina
U.S. responds with embargo on all trade with
Japan.
All U.S. – Japanese discussions from this point
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China was the problem. U.S. wants the
Japanese out.
The Japanese demand we not support Chiang
Kai-shek in China.
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Causes
Effects
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Conflict between Japan and the
United States over French
Indochina
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Americans reacted to the news of
the Pearl Harbor attack with anger
and fear.
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Japan’s alliance with Germany and
Italy
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Californians reported seeing
submarines off the Pacific coast.
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Japan’s prime minister, Hideki Tojo,
was hostile towards the United
States.
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Some Americans feared that
Japanese Americans would assist
an invasion of the mainland.
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The United States declared war on
Japan.
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Germany and Italy declared war on
the United States.
“Day of Infamy”
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The choice for the Japanese was limited in
their eyes- Give up the idea of having an
empire or go to war with the U.S.- The
military leaders of Japan choose war,
October 1941- General Hideki Tojo came
to power
“Magic”- intelligence we received from
Japan after breaking the Japanese code.
We knew they would attack, but now
where. U.S. navy forces put on alert
status.
Dec. 7, 1941- Pearl Harbor. Perfect
surprise, and the greatest military disaster
in American History- 150 American
warplanes, 8 Battleships, 3 Cruisers and 3
destroyers, 70 civilians and 2300
servicemen.
Dec. 8, 1941- FDR speech to Congress-
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
Defenses
The Attack
• U.S military
planners believed
an attack on Pearl
Harbor was
possible.
• On December 7,
1941, the
Japanese attacked.
• All 8 battleships
were damaged;
4 were sunk.
• Aircraft carriers
approached the
island of Oahu.
• Nearly 200
aircraft were
destroyed.
• War planes loaded
with bombs and
torpedoes left the
carriers and
destroyed
American ships and
planes.
• Some 2,400
Americans were
dead.
• Forces at the base
were unprepared
to defend it.
• No single
commander was in
charge.
• Routine defensive
steps were not in
place.
• The attack lasted 2
hours.
The Aftermath
• Japan lost only a
handful of
submarines and
fewer than 30
planes.
Dec. 7, 1941 – 4:25
Japan Attacks Pear Harbor
What were the causes and effects of the
Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor?
 Recall – Why was Pearl Harbor targeted by the
Japanese?
 Explain – How were Japanese airplanes able to
approach Pearl Harbor without being detected?
 Design- What should have been done to
minimize the destruction that occurred when the
Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor?
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Japan Attacks Pear Harbor
Recall – How long did the Japanese attack on
Pearl Harbor last?
 Compare and Contrast – List the similarities
and differences between the attacks on Pearl
Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 and the attacks on the
United States on Sept. 11, 2001?
 Evaluate - Do you think the Japanese would
have dared attack the United States mainland?
Why or why not?
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