SSUSH19A, B & D
The Approaching Storm of War
The Approaching Storm of War Rise of New Dictators
• The Rise of Anti-Democratic Governments around the world developed due
to two key influences: Unfair WWI Treaties & Global Economic Depression
Adolf Hitler
Joseph Stalin
Benito Mussolini
Communist Fascist Nazis Militarist Fascist
Emperor Hirohito
Francisco Franco
The Approaching Storm of War
• 1934: Nye Committee Investigated Impact of
Business and Banking activities on U.S.
Involvement in World War I
U.S. Attempts at Isolation
Connections made between profits in munitions
industry and U.S. entry into WWI promoted New U.S. Isolationism.
Neutrality Act of 1935
Neutrality Act of 1936
Neutrality Act of 1937
Neutrality Act of 1939
Embargo on all Arms Trade with Nations at War
Renewed Previous Provisions of for 14 more months
Renewed Previous Provisions of w/o Expiration Date
Amended Previous Provisions with
Cash & Carry Policy
Oct 1935
Italy Invaded Ethiopia
Jul 1936
Spanish Civil War Begins
Jul 1937
Japan Invaded Mainland China
Sep 1939
Nazis Invaded Poland
The Approaching Storm of War European Attempts at Avoiding War
November 1936
Anti-Comintern Pact created by Germany,
Italy and Japan
Intended to Protect against Communists
September 1938
Britain and France meet with Germany at the Munich Conference
Britain and France make Concessions
Formed Axis Powers Policy of Appeasement
September 1939
Nazis and Soviets both Interested in
Poland
Nazis and Soviets still trying to avoid war
Non-Aggression Pact
U.S. Begins Making Concessions S E P
1 9 3 9
M A R
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Cash and Carry Policy Adopted Lend Lease Act Approved
Trade of War Supplies approved if buying Nation
provides own transport and makes purchase with cash
Loan and/or Sale of War Materials to All Allied Nations during the duration of the War
Officially Ended U.S. Neutrality
The Approaching Storm of War
U.S. Pre-War Policies
• 1941: U.S. & Britain Meet in Newfoundland
Known as the “Atlantic Charter”
President Roosevelt & Winston Churchill
Agreement for Postwar World Democracy
Founded on Eight Key Principals:
No Territorial Gains by U.S. or U.K.
Right to Self Determination by all People
Lowering of Global Trade Barriers
Advancement of Global Social Welfare
Strive to Maintain World Peace
Establish Freedom of the Sea
Disarmament of Aggressor Nations
The Approaching Storm of War
U.S. Pre-War Policies in the Atlantic
• 1941: Hemispheric Defense Zone Established
Encompassed the Western Atlantic Ocean
President ordered U.S. Naval Patrols
U.S. Navy revealed German Submarine
locations to the British Royal Navy
• Two key U.S./German Incidents Occurred:
• Sep 1941: USS Greer Incident
German Sub fired on U.S. Destroyer
President issued “Shoot on Sight” Policy
• Oct 1941: USS Reuben James Incident
U.S. Destroyer providing Convoy Escort
German Torpedo Sank ship (115 die)
The Approaching Storm of War
U.S. Pre-War Policies in the Pacific
• By 1940: 80% of Japanese Oil came from the U.S.
• Jul 1937: Japan Invaded Mainland China
• President Roosevelt was concerned about possible Japanese
plans to attack British and French Colonies in Indo-China.
• Jul 1940: Congress passed the Export Control Act.
Power to restrict the sale of Strategic Materials to aggressive nations.
To discourage Japanese attacks in Indo-China
To encourage Japan to withdraw from China
• 1941: Congress approved Lend Lease aid to China.
U.S. initiated Oil Embargo against Japan
U.S. froze all Japanese assets in America
Gen. Douglas MacArthur sent to the Philippines
The Approaching Storm of War
War Comes to the United States
• U.S. was the largest threat to
Japanese Expansion in the Pacific.
• Admiral Yamamoto of the Japanese
Navy devised plan to destroy the U.S. Fleet in Pearl Harbor (Hawaii)
• 7 Dec 1941: Japanese Airplanes conducted a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
It was a Sunday: Traditionally a Day of Rest
Ships & Planes grouped together to protect against sabotage by suspected enemy spies
Delay in reporting the sighting of an enemy submarine near the harbor entrance (6:37)
Failure to take precautions when incoming planes were indicated on new Radar System
• 8 Dec 1941: President’s “A Date which will live in Infamy” Speech to Congress
Building an Military
• The German Invasion of Poland in 1939 and France’s surrender to Germany
in 1940 signaled to the United States the need to prepare for war.
• June 1940: Congress passed the Selective Service and Training Act.
First Peacetime Draft in American History
Initial Enlistments were for 12 months only
Draftees were to be kept in the U.S.
Conscientious Objectors (Due to Religious
Beliefs) could apply for exemption
• New Draftees were sent to Army
Reception Stations
Received Physicals and Shots
Issued Clothing labeled “G.I.”
Began Physical Training
The Approaching Storm of War
Building an Military
• At the beginning of WWII, The U.S.
Military was completely Segregated.
Reflecting America’s “Separate But
Equal” Policies
With African-Americans in Separate
Units commanded by White Officers
• Many African-Americans opposed serving because they felt Disenfranchised.
Due to white restrictions on their freedoms and voting
• African-American leaders started the “Double V” Campaign.
To support the U.S. war effort and achieve two goals:
Defeat Hitler’s Fascism and America’s Racism
The Approaching Storm of War
Building a Military
• May 1942: The U.S. Army established the Women’s
Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC).
• Later to be renamed the Women’s Army Corps.
• Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby became the first
women officer to command the WAC’s.
• Aug 1942: The U.S. Navy established its own
branch of WAVES (Women Accepted
for Volunteer Emergency Service)
• Lieutenant Commander Mildred McAfee became
the first women officer to command the WAC’s.
• Women in both branches served mostly as Nurses, Clerks, and Secretaries.
The Approaching Storm of War
Building a Military
• Feb 1942: The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
caused the U.S. Government to Categorize ALL
Japanese Americans 4C (Alien Enemies).
• All Japanese Americans and their families were
forced into Relocation and Internment Camps.
• However, new generation Japanese Americans
(known as Nisei) wanted to serve their country
and prove their loyalty to the United States.
• Jun 1942: U.S. Army formed an all
Nisei Regiment (442nd
Regimental Combat Team)
The Approaching Storm of War
The Approaching Storm of War
Mobilizing the American Home Front
• A War against Japan and Germany required the United States to Mobilize the Nation’s Economy.
• America’s Automobile Industry was uniquely suited to Mass Produce Trucks, Jeeps, & Tanks.
• Henry Ford created an Assembly Line to build the large B-24 Bomber (known as the Liberator).
• Shortages of White Male Workers led Industries to hire Women and Minorities as Factory Workers.
Women Factor Workers were nicknamed “Rosie the Riveter” after a popular song.
The Approaching Storm of War
Mobilizing the American Home Front
• Industrialist Henry J. Kaiser became the Father of Modern American Shipbuilding when he developed Liberty Ships.
Ship Hulls were Welded instead of being Riveted.
• These Cargo Ships were cheaper and quicker to make (1 completed in 5 Days) and harder to sink.
• Employment of African Americans in the Defense Industry during World War II occurred due to:
African American Civil Rights Activist A. Philip Randolph
The “March on Washington Movement”
Planned a Mass March on Washington (1 Jun 1941)
Presidential Executive Order 8802 (25 Jun 1941)
Prohibited Racial Discrimination in Defense Industry
The Approaching Storm of War
Mobilizing the American Home Front
• 1942: U.S. Government started the Bracero Program.
To Overcome Labor Shortage of farmworkers in Southwest
Over 200,000 Mexican came to help harvest crops in U.S.
• Labor Shortages in Industry sparked the Second Great Migration of African Americans to urban areas in the North, Midwest, and West.
• These migrations led to new Housing Development Issues
• Increased Racism and Violence
• Several Large Race Riots
• Belle Isle Beach Riot (Detroit)
• Zoot Suit Riot (Los Angeles)
The Approaching Storm of War
Mobilizing the American Home Front
• Organizations were created to Stabilize Wages and the Prices of Goods during the War’s Economic Boom.
• The Office of Price Administration (OPA):
• Regulated Rent and Commercial Pricing of Goods
• The Office of Economic Stabilization (OES):
• Regulated Farm Production and Wages
• The War Labor Board (WLB):
• Arbitrated Wages to prevent Strikes in Industry
• Demands for Raw Materials and Supplies for the War Effort created Shortages:
• The OPA Issued War Ration Books:
• Blue Coupons = Processed Foods • Red Coupons = Meats, Oils, Fats
• War Bonds were used to raise Funds for the War Effort