US History
Fritz
Name ________________________________________
Date _________ Pd ___________
“America on the Sidelines” - The United States and World Affairs: 1931-1941
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/static/neh/interactives/neutrality/
Learning Target: Students will be able to trace the events which led to US involvement in World
War II.
The interactive timeline found at the link on the “US Response to Crisis” on Mrs. Garis’ Webpage is on
both the European and Asian fronts. Enter the European campaign and follow through the events using
the table below. For each event, take note of the date, the action taken by the US, and the reason for the
US action. Events on the guide sheet already completed should be briefly reviewed, while blank events
should be carefully read and completed. After completing the European front, move on to the Asian front.
While moving through the timeline, a description of each event will be provided. Once read, select the
option to “Select a Course of Action”. Choose the proper action and read the description provided under
“Correct Option”. Primary documents and other resources will also be provided with the description. Be
certain to note the date, the correct action, and a description of the reason for action before
moving on, as the site does not allow moving back through the timeline. Continue through each
event focusing mainly on those where you must provide information.
European Campaign
Event:
Date:
Action Taken:
Reasoning for Action Taken:
Germany Withdraws
from Disarmament
Talks
Hitler Repudiates
Versailles Treaty
Oct. 1933
No Formal Action
U.S. had no legal standing to protest
German action (did not ratify Treaty
of Versailles)
Italian Invasion of
Ethiopia
Germany reoccupies the
Rhineland
Oct. 1935
Invoke neutrality laws
Maintain neutral status by sending
no arms to nations at war
Civil war breaks out in
July, 1936
Revise neutrality laws
U.S. should stay out of any sort of
1
Spain
foreign war
Germany annexes
Austria
Czech crisis and Munich
Conference
Hitler threatens Poland
Oct. 1938
Expand armed forces
FDR: “America needs to be prepared
for any eventuality”
Germany dismembers
Czechoslovakia
March, 1939
No formal action
Denounced German aggression, but
we weren’t prepared for stronger
measures
Italy invades Albania
Germany invades
Poland
April, 1939
No formal action
Not vital to America’s defense
Germany invades
April, 1940
No formal action
U.S. believed Britain & France would
2
Denmark & Norway
Germany invades low
countries & France
defeat Germany
France surrenders
Start of the “Blitz”
Sept., 1940
No formal action
Italy invades Greece
Oct. 1940
Send aid to allies
British gold reserves
run low
Germany invades
Yugoslavia and Greece
Jan. 1941
Send aid to allies
April 1941
Send aid to allies
June 1941
Send aid to allies
Though sympathetic, Americans
opposed further involvement
Token of respect for Greece’s fight
against the Axis
War could spread and eventually
threaten the U.S.
Barbaric invasion is sign of
Germany’s attempt at world
conquest
British suffer staggering
losses at sea
Germany invades Soviet
Union
Greer incident
3
Any defense against Hitler is vital to
our own security
Kearny incident
Germany & Italy declare
war on the US
Oct. 1941
Revise neutrality laws
Right of self-defense
Date:
Action Taken:
Reasoning for Action Taken:
Japan invades Jehol
province
Japan renounces naval
treaty restrictions
Promotes autonomy
movement in North
China
Dec. 1932
No formal action
Dec. 1934
No formal action
Nov. 1935
No formal action
No desire to offer more than
disapproval of Japanese action
Japan had right to withdraw from
treaty
U.S. would “closely observe” Japanese
actions, but take no harsh measures
Japan signs antiComintern pact
Nov. 1936
No formal action
Asian Campaign
Event:
Japan invades
Manchuria
4
Though deeply troubling, Japan had
every right to manage its own
diplomatic affairs
War breaks out
between Japan and
China
Panay incident
Japanese offensives in
China
Japanese offensives in
Southern China
Fighting between
Japanese & Soviet forces
Closing of the Burma
road
Japan occupies
northern Indochina
Japan occupies
Southern Indochina
May 1938
Embargo strategic materials
Oct. 1938
Send aid to China
July 1939
No formal action
July 1940
No formal action
Sept. 1940
Embargo strategic materials
Japan proposes East
Sept. 1941
Reject
Japan was bombing civilian areas in
China
Protest to Japan violating China’s
“open door”
U.S. is more concerned with events in
Europe
U.S. tries to convince Britain to
reopen the road
Japan planned to use area as stage for
further attacks
Acceptance would look like approval
5
Asia settlement
Japan proposes “Modus
Vivendi”
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Nov. 1941
of Japanese occupation of China
Broken codes showed that war was
being planned anyway
Reject
6