Events Leading the U.S. into WW2

By sarah.kim

  • Roosevelt's Quarantine Speech

    During a national to gather support for his domestic programs, Roosevelt delivered a speech in which he indicated a shift in foreign policy. He mentions that the U.S. can no longer hold onto isolationism in terms of the war in Europe because the "peace of the world and the welfare and security of every nation is today being threatened" by Germany and Japan. Many isolationists received this speech badly because they did not want to have to do anything with the war.

  • Cash and Carry Provision Passed

    This provision allowed warring nations to buy U.S. arms as long as they paid cash and transported them in their own ships. Roosevelt argued that this would help France and Britain defeat Hitler and keep the US out of war; yet the act was still too much involvement for isolationists.

  • Selective Training and Service Act Passed

    This act was the first peacetime conscription law that drafted 1 million men (ages 21 to 35) per year from the 16 million that registered. They were only allowed to serve in the Western Hemisphere, and the goal of this act was to expand defense as US felt threatened by Nazi victories in Europe. This furthered the U.S. into war as now the armies had men ready to fight when needed.

  • Lend-Lease Act Passed

    This act allowed the president to lend or lease arms and other wartime supplies to "any country whose defense was vital to the United States," which meant that the war in Europe was now being partially supported by the U.S. Isolationists argued that the U.S. should not spend more money for the European war, but Roosevelt insisted that it was for the purpose of protecting democracies throughout the world.

  • Atlantic Charter

    Roosevelt and Churchill met to settle for a joint declaration on war aims, in which both countries pledged collective security, disarmament, self-determination, economic cooperation, and freedom of the seas. This "declaration" was signed by 26 nations and led the U.S. more into the war as collaboration between her and the Allies increased.

  • Attack on Pearl Harbor

    On this day Japan bombed U.S' largest naval base in Hawaii, killing many Americans and destroying the port, its surrounding areas, and the U.S. fleet and aircraft. Because of this national damage done to Pearl Harbor, most of the nation now supported the war (even isolationists), and Congress approved Roosevelt's request for a declaration of war against Japan.

  • Germany and Italy Declares War on the U.S.

    Germany and Italy declares war on the United States three days after the bombings at Pearl Harbor. At this point, it was inevitable for the U.S. to become involved in World War 2, and most of America supported the war effort.