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Selective Service Act is Passed
The Allies were in need of fresh troops to replace the exhausted men in the battlefields but there were not enough numbers to do so. The act signed by the U.S. President, Woodrow Wilson, gave him the power to draft soldiers since it required all male citizens of the U.S between the ages of 21 and 30 to be registered for military service. Numerous men were chosen randomly to serve their country. Its purpose was to have stronger military forces in order to defeat the Central Powers. -
Kellogg-Briand Pact Signed
An agreement established with the intention of preventing another WW. The pact outlawed war and was supposed to guarantee a peaceful settlement. Initially the pact on Paris, where 15 nations signed and eventually 47 other nations joined the pact. -
Hitler is named leader of the Nazi Party in Germany
Hitler gained influence outside the Nazi Party and wanted to spread the Nazi movement, across Germany. Later on, Hitler resigned since the original members of the committee of the Party planned to weaken his position. The loss of Hitler meant the end of the Nazi Party, so they asked him to come back. Hitler announced he would only return if he was made chairman and given dictatorial powers. After a vote, the demands were approved and Hitler was introduced as Führer of the Nazi Party. -
Japan Invades Manchuria
Japan had a highly developed industry but lacked natural resources. Japan went to Manchuria to search for these resources such as oil, rubber, and lumber. China immediately asked the League of Nations to drive Japan out of China, but since Japan was economically depressed there was not much they could do. The absence of consequences diminished the League of Nation’s credibility. -
Enabling Act of 1933 is Issued
Law established by the German Reichstag that allowed Adolf Hitler to become a dictator/assume dictatorial powers. It enabled Hitler’s govt. to pass decrees independently from the presidency. -
Neutrality Act of 1935 Signed
Act passed by the U.S. Congress with the intention of preventing any involvement of the country in a war, also prohibits the export of all war guns and accessories originated from the U.S to foreign countries if they don’t have a license. If the law wasn’t followed boats would have been confiscated, economic fees and imprisonment would’ve increased. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt Wins a 3rd Term as President
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt won against Wendell Wilkie with the promise of maintaining American neutrality, staying away from foreign wars. Later on, Amendment 22 stated, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” -
Lend-Lease Program Enabled
The act established the U.S. govt. could lend war supplies to other nations classified as vital for the country’s defense but still, maintain their neutrality. The policy allowed the U.S to supply military support to foreign allies and made it. -
A. Philip Randolph’s March and Roosevelt’s Response
Philip Randolph proposed a march on Washington D.C. with the purpose of protesting against discrimination in the industry & military. President Roosevelt feared the march could cause discrepancies and decided to call a contact in the White House to call off the march. When Roosevelt’s intent of canceling didn't have results, he officially stated an order to all employers & labor unions to cease discrimination in their hiring practices in defense industries. Due to this, the march was canceled. -
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This Japanese attack officially involved the U.S. in WWII. Pearl Harbor was the main base of the U.S. pacific fleets and destroying it represented weakening their adversary. The attack damaged over 300 aircraft and killed around 2,400 Americans. -
Adolf Hitler declares war against the United States
Germany declares war on the U.S. finally getting the country out of its neutral state and into the European conflict. Hitler was convinced the U.S. wanted to declare war on Germany so he decided to take the lead. The United States’ navy was already attacking German boats and Roosevelt’s continuous attacks against the Nazi ideology just reinforced Hitler’s decision.
