Third Term With the US on the brink of entering World War II, FDR decided to run for an unprecedented third presidential term. Make a list of reasons why this might have been a good idea and a list of reasons why this could have been a bad idea. Then write your opinion in a single sentence below your lists.
America s Neutrality Weakens Publication of Merchants of Death. Increases Isolationist feelings 1934 Nye hearings conducted from 34 to 36 to investigate
1 st Neutrality Act passed can t sell weapons to nations at war 3 rd Neutrality Act-US neutral in Spanish. Civil War 1935 1936 1937 2 nd Neutrality Act- can t loan $ to nations at war
Let no man or woman thoughtlessly or falsely talk of America sending its armies to European fields This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well I have said it not once, but many times, that I have seen war and I hate war As long as it is in my power to prevent, there will be no blackout of peace in the United States. ~FDR
October-FDR asks for $300 million for defense Cash and Carry policy: Countries must pay cash and transport 1938 1939 November: Recalls German Ambassador Program to build 10,000 planes
No man can tame a tiger into a kitten by stroking it. ~FDR If Hitler invaded Hell, Britain would work with the devil to stop him. ~Churchill
1 st Peacetime draft Lend-Lease Act: We loan weapons in return for ability to lease naval bases. August: Atlantic Charter signed w/ Churchill: US War Goals 1940 1941 July: Cut off trade with Japan
Atlantic Charter US war aims 1. No territorial gains were to be sought by the United States or the United Kingdom. 2. Territorial adjustments must be in accord with the wishes of the peoples concerned. 3. All peoples had a right to self determination 4. Trade barriers were to be lowered. 5. There was to be global economic cooperation and advancement of social welfare. 6. Freedom from want and fear. 7. Freedom of the seas. 8. Post war disarmament/international organization
1 st Peacetime draft Lend-Lease Act: We loan weapons in return for ability to lease naval bases. August: Atlantic Charter signed w/ Churchill: US War Goals December 7 th Attack on Pearl Harbor 1940 1941 July: Cut off trade with Japan Nov: Japanese Tojo sends peace envoy
Lead up to Pearl Harbor July 1941 US cuts off trade with Japan (Oil) Nov 1941 Tojo sends peace envoy to US Dec 6, 1941 all peace talks rejected by Japan Dec 7, 1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor
Overview Pearl Harbor, on the Island of O'ahu, Hawaii was attacked by the Japanese Imperial Navy, at approximately 8:00 A.M., Sunday morning, December 7, 1941. Surprise attack conceived by Admiral Yamamoto, including a striking force of 353 Japanese aircraft Approximately 100 US Naval ships were present that morning, including battleships, destroyers, cruisers and various support ships. Over ½ the U.S. Pacific fleet was out to sea, including aircraft carriers. Simultaneously, Hickam Field was also the victim of the surprise attack 18 Army aircraft including bombers and fighters and attack bombers were destroyed or damaged on the ground. A few U.S. fighters struggled into the air against the invaders and gave a good account of themselves. A total of twenty-nine Japanese aircraft were shot down by ground fire and U.S pilots from various military installations on O'ahu. There had been no formal declaration of war.
Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
Expansion of the Military Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall 5 million volunteers Selective Service System: 10 million draftees Women s Auxiliary Army Corp (WAAC): women in non-combat military roles (eventually drop Auxiliary) Significant contributions by minorities Japanese-Americans serve as translators Tuskegee Airmen all black army air unit Navaho Wind Talkers Native American coders
War Material Production & a Reliable Workforce Convert factories to war production Tanks, ships, airplanes Liberty Ships: rebuild the Navy quickly, 1 ship in 4 days
Grooming Nose cones for A-20 Bombers
War Material Production & a Reliable Workforce By 1944, 18 million in the workforce, 6 mill women A. Philip Randolph protested discrimination with march on Washington FDR responds with Executive Order 8802: No discrimination in the workforce by race
War Material Production & a Reliable Workforce National War Labor Board (NWLB): limited wage increases Allowed negotiated benefits, such as paid vacation, pensions, and medical insurance Forbade changing unions Smith-Connally Anti-Strike Act (1943) Limited the right to strike in industries crucial to the war effort President power to take over striking plants War Production Board (WPB) Rationed fuel, rubber, steel, plastic, etc
Raise Money & Balance the Economy Issue War Bonds Revenue Act of 1942 Raised income tax Office of Price Administration (OPA) Froze wages, prices, rents Rationed foods
Sugar Rationing
Receiving his first ration book
Rationed Items Tires Cars Bicycles Gasoline Fuel Oil & Kerosene Solid Fuels Stoves Rubber Footwear Shoes Sugar Coffee Processed Foods Meats, canned fish Cheese, canned milk, fats Rationing Duration January 1942 to December 1945 February 1942 to October 1945 July 1942 to September 1945 May 1942 to August 1945 October 1942 to August 1945 September 1943 to August 1945 December 1942 to August 1945 October 1942 to September 1945 February 1943 to October 1945 May 1942 to 1947 November 1942 to July 1943 March 1943 to August 1945 March 1943 to November 1945 March 1943 to November 1945 Typewriters March 1942 to April 1944