Amsco AP Review: Chapter 25: Diplomacy and WWII, 1929-1945,
p 525-53
The American Pageant, Chapter 34: FDR and the Shadow of War,
1933-1941, p 810-820
The American Pageant, Chapter 35: America in WWII, 1941-1945,
p 821-848
WWII was a crucial event in the history of the US. Millions of people engaged in the effort to
stop Nazi and Japanese aggression, and the conflict became the turning point of their lives. This
war will also shape international relations. The US entered into a strategic alliance that paved the
way for the UN. Coming out of the war, many countries found their positions in world affairs
weakened. The US and the Soviet Union, on the other hand, emerged from the conflict as major
powers. The 2 countries had cooperated to defeat Germany, but mistrust each other every step of
the way, then were aggravated by a nuclear arms race after the world which manifested in the
Cold War.
America was not only wounded but also roused to national unity by Pearl Harbor. FDR settled
on a fundamental strategy of dealing with Hitler first, while doing just enough in the Pacific to
block the Japanese advance. With the ugly exception of Japanese internment, WWII proceeded
without the fanaticism and civil rights violations that occurred in WWI.
Domestically, the years following the bombing of Pearl Harbor had tremendous economic effects
on the US. The years from 1941-1945 offered abundant and sundry opportunities for many
people. Even though racial and gender tensions remained, economic opportunities increased for
all minorities. Many of these problems will be “resolved” in the post-war era. Nevertheless, the
nation mobilized to win the war, and the war effort led to bigger business, labor organizations,
agricultural operations and BIGGER government.
ACTIVITIES:
1.
2.
do all of the PEDLIGS on page 537-538
Outline Bailey Chapters 34 & 35
The Allies
aka the Good Guys
Their Leaders in WWII
Great Britain
France
Soviet Union
United States (1941)
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
The Axis Powers
aka the Bad Guys
Their Leaders in WWII
Germany
Italy
Japan
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Sure, there were other good guys like Canada, Australia, China but the big players are the ones we’ll concern
ourselves with. Hey, what happened to Big, Bad Spain?
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING Q’s
1. Why did the Neutrality acts fail to prevent America’s growing involvement in military conflicts in
Asia and Europe?
2. Would the US have entered WWII if the Japanese had not attacked PH?
3. What was America’s stance to Jewish refugees during WWII? How did it change after the war
was over? Evaluate what you think our role should have been.
4. What was the wisest strategic decision of WWII; what was the most questionable?