America Moves Towards War:

Events and Causes of America Entering WWII

Key Terms

Axis This was a WWII military alliance between Italy, Japan, Germany, and 6 other
countries.
Allies A WWII military alliance between Britain, France, the Soviet Union, China, the
United States, and 45 other countries.
Neutrality The state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict, disagreement.
Aggression A warlike act by one country against another without a just cause.
Isolationism A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially
the political affairs of other countries.
Kamikaze Japanese suicide pilots who loaded planes with explosives and purposefully
crashed into American ships.
Mobilization Gathering of resources in preparation for war.
Gross National The total value of goods produced and services provided by a country during one
Product year, equal to the gross domestic product plus the net income from foreign
investments.

Getting Started

Why do you think the United States took so long to enter the war?

Why do you think the United States finally entered the war?

After WWII

The United States spend % of the national product at the time funding the war.

A. The United States also lost many lives in the war.

a. Not as many as other countries, but still many for a war fought abroad.
B. 1929: crashes.
a. The economy continues to worsen
C. Isolationism
a. Foreign policy assumed by the U.S.
b. Was a direct result of these three things:

1.

2.

3.
War Breaks

A. Germany invades Poland in an act of .

September 3, 1939

"This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in
thought as well... Even a neutral cannot be asked to close his mind or his conscience... I have said not
once, but many times, that I have seen war and hate war... As long as it is my power to prevent, there
will be no blackout of peace in the U.S."

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Q: What is the president saying to the nation? Does this reflect isolationist policy? Why or why not?

Neutrality Acts

A. These acts forbade the U.S. from:

1.

2.

Cash and Carry

A. Allowed nations to buy U. S. farms so long as

1.

2.

The Lend-Lease Plan

A. The president could

Analyze the political cartoon.

Q: Why do you think isolationist were against the Lend-Lease Act?

 The Atlantic Charter

A. The Atlantic charter is between and .

B. FDR pledges .

Germany and the U.S. Face Off

A. September 1941
1.

B. An American merchant ship is attacked.

C. Another destroyer is attacked, killing several people
D.

On the Pacific Front

A. The Soviet Union also receives aid from the Lend-Lease Act.
B. The Soviet Union begins clashing with Japan as Japan invades parts of
C. Japan increasingly engages in acts of .
D. Japan engages in acts of aggression in surrounding areas.
E. The Soviet Union begins
a. The U.S. follows suite.

Peace Talks Ensue

A. Japanese Prime Minister, Tojo, promises Emperor Hirojito to acquire peace with the United
States.
B. At the same time that peace talks were in place, U.S. intelligence intercepted Japanese
communications
C. The United States was aware of a plan for retaliation, but did not know when or how.
Pearl Harbor

A. Japanese aircraft and attack the U.S. base in Hawaii.

1.
2.

B. Almost the entire Pacific Fleet is destroyed.

C. The United States declares war on Japan.
D. Germany and Italy declare war on the United States.
E. FDR the country.

FDR Addresses the U.S. after Pearl Harbor

Listen to the speech and jot down any notes, ideas, or details you find to be interesting or important.

Closing Discussion

Discuss the following question with a partner:

Q: Do you think the United States would have joined the war if Pearl Harbor had not been attacked?
Why or why not?

Be sure to record some of your thoughts on your study guide, cite specific evidence, and prepare to
discuss your opinion.