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The Neutrality Acts
A series of laws aimed at keeping the U.S. neutral by restricting arms sales, loans, and trade with belligerent nations to avoid entanglement in foreign wars. -
The Nye Committee Ruling
The Nye Committee investigated the role of U.S. arms manufacturers in pushing the U.S. into World War I, revealing profiteering and influencing neutrality policies. -
Start of WWII
World War II began when Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland, prompting France and the UK to declare war. -
Hemispheric Defense Zone
A U.S. policy to patrol and protect the Western Hemisphere’s waters, extending naval operations to counter German U-boat threats. -
Destroyers for Bases
The U.S. transferred 50 destroyers to Britain in exchange for 99-year leases on British naval bases in the Western Hemisphere. -
Lend-Lease Act
Allowed the U.S. to lend or lease war materials to allied nations, effectively ending neutrality and supporting Britain, China, and others. -
The Atlantic Charter
A joint statement by Roosevelt and Churchill outlining post-war goals, including self-determination and economic cooperation, shaping the United Nations. -
Pearl Harbor Attack
Japan’s surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, prompted the U.S. to enter World War II. -
Was World War II (wartime production) or the New Deal responsible for bringing the nation out of the Great Depression?
World War II's wartime production ended the Great Depression. Massive demand for military goods created millions of jobs. Factories shifted to full capacity, producing tanks, planes, and ships. This surge rapidly reduced unemployment and boosted industrial output. The New Deal provided critical relief and reforms, stabilizing the economy. However, only wartime spending and mobilization fully drove the recovery.