1939-1941
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1935 FDR and Congress passed a series of
neutrality acts.
Outlawed arms sales or loans to nations at
war
3 one aimed at Spain banned the selling of
arms in nations engaged in Civil War
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FDR found it impossible to stay neutral
US sent arms to China “Claimed Japan didn’t
declare war” so he didn’t follow the Act
Isolationists bashed FDR claiming he was
leading US to war
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Neutrality Act of 1939 declared US could see
arms to warring nations as long as they paid
“cash” and transported them with their own
ships”
Help France/Great Britain
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Japan/Italy/Germany declared if anyone
wages war on one it was war on all (goal to
keep US out of the war)
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Set up draft 1 million men ages 21-35
FDR gets elected for 3rd term
Signs lend-lease plan 1941Lent arms to any
country whose defense was vital to the USA”
(Great Britain was out of cash)/Also
supported Soviet Union
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Atlantic CharterGB and USA pledged
collective security, disarmament, selfdetermination, economic cooperation,
freedom of seas (got into fights with U-Boats)
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JapanTojo wanted to unite East Asia under
Japanese leadership (1941)
US protested by cutting trade to Japan (Oil
embargo)
Attack Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941