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Japan invades Manchuria
Japanese aggression against China and Indochina began with the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931. Japan sought to develop a Japanese domain of economic supremacy, aiming to solve economic problems through expansion. The reaction of the US to Japanese aggression, constrained by isolationist policies, was limited to the imposition of trade restrictions It is important because Japan’s invasion of Manchuria led to U.S. embargoes of oil & iron-Japanese viewed these as threatening -
Munich Pact
In exchange for Hitler's agreement to claim no more territories after that concession, Britain, and France agreed to allow Hitler to take more ground. Just under 6 months later, Hitler broke the Pact by continuing to conquer areas. This is critical because it ends the European appeasement strategy. -
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Kristallnacht
"broken glass night" (November 9 to November 10, 1938)
Synagogues were torched by the Nazis in Germany, Jewish homes, schools, and businesses were vandalized and nearly 100 Jews were killed. Hitler's activities have been documented, including the passing of the Nuremberg Laws and attacks on Jews like Kristallnacht, but little action has been taken to stop the Nazis.
In order to offer asylum to Jewish or other refugees, immigration rules were not relaxed.No military action was taken -
Neutrality Acts of 1939
(Neutrality Acts of 1939): if they paid cash upfront and carried the merchandise on their own ships, enabling nations at war to purchase goods from the US. Which significantly limited the ability of FDR to respond to aggression. It is important because it Prevents the participation of the US in war and sustains US isolationism. These acts prohibited the sale to any nation engaged in any military action of weapons or the lending of capital. -
Germany invades Poland
Germany then immediately invaded France and conducted destructive air raids on Britain using the blitzkrieg (lightning war rapidly crushing enemy) technique. In the US in an attempt to provide assistance to the Allies, FDR tried to get the Neutrality Acts modified in reaction to German aggression. It is important because FDR's efforts to shift American policy from isolationism to foreign engagement led to policies that were changing and more involved: -
Lend-Lease Act
"March 1941: Congress authorizes Roosevelt to "sell, move, trade, lease, lend or otherwise dispose of title to any such article of government and protection" which he believed was "necessary in the interests of the United States' defense -
Atlantic Conference & Atlantic Charter
Atlantic Charter signed by FDR & British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.August 1941-A large declaration of the goals of the US and British War. Self-determination and an international framework of general defense are supported. It also disclosed FDR's dedication to fighting German and Japanese violence. It is important because the Atlantic Charter signed by FDR & British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in August 1941-A a large declaration of the goals of the US and British War. -
Exec Order 8022
An African American labor union leader, A. Philip Randolph threatened to organize a march to demand fair access to war-time jobs in Washington. FDR released Executive Order 8802 in response, banning ethnic or racial discrimination in the security sector of the country. This is significant because, in all branches of the military, African Americans served bravely. The Tuskegee Airmen are some of the most prestigious African Americans to serve. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese conducted a surprise assault against the Pearl Harbor naval base and surrounding airfields.
In response to US embargoes and because it perceived the US Pacific fleet as a threat to its increasing empire, Japan attacked
In the speech the next day, FDR refers to it in a speech to Congress as a date that will live in infamy," and asks for and gets a declaration of war on Japan. It is necessary because Germany reacted by declaring war against the US -
Exec Order 9066
Executive Order 9066 authorizing the internment of Americans of Japanese descent and resident aliens from Japan was issued by FDR. Japanese citizens and Japanese origin Americans were forced to sell their property & possessions and to register for deportation to inland desert camps. It is necessary because the FDR Executive Order 9066 led to Japanese-Americans being interned. In Korematsu v. US the Supreme Court upheld. -
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Battle of Midway
The goal was to get close enough to the home islands of Japan to conduct air assaults in preparation for an invasion.
The Midway victory halted the Japanese advance and put them on the defensive. In Iwo Jima and Okinawa, the tenacity of Japanese troops proved that the Japanese were not going to give in, showing how costly an attack would be. Then the US agreed to negotiate with the Soviet Union to engage in an invasion of Japan. It is important in avoiding the advance of Japan. -
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Operation Torch
In order to liberate the Mediterranean Sea from German influence and secure the oil fields in the Middle East, the invasion of North Africa was started. The USSR exerted some pressure, but the fierce Soviet resistance to the Germans at Stalingrad changed the tide on the eastern front. It is significant because Italy has surrendered, but German soldiers have continued to fight in Italy, tying up allied forces. -
D-Day (invasion of Normandy)
Finally, on D-Day, the invasion of Normandy provided the long-awaited Western Front. Germany was now embroiled on three fronts and had to divert money to the western front. Italy, the Soviet Union & France.It is essential because of the Normandy invasion of France - Operation Overlord - -
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Battle of the Bulge
The last German offensive was the Battle of the Bulge and the beginning of the end for the Nazis. American + British + French marched from the west towards Berlin. The Soviets were marching from the east. Met to crush what was left of the Nazis in Berlin. This leads to Berlin and Germany's post-war division and Cold War conflict over Eastern Europe's Soviet influence. This is crucial because it is the beginning of the end for Germany. -
Korematsu v. United States
Fred Korematsu was a Japanese American who according to the exec, refused to leave his home. Command (9066) released in favor of resident aliens and Japanese Americans. He brought his case to the Supreme Court, arguing that his Civil rights were violated by internment. It is relevant because Japanese internment was upheld as lawful by Korematsu Lost & the Supreme Court. -
Yalta Conference
Yalta Conference - Churchill, FDR, Stalin - Final preparations for Europe's defeat & the consideration of European plans after the war began. The USSR marched into Korea when the war in Europe ended. It is necessary because, at the Yalta Meeting, the USSR agreed to this. -
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Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki
President Truman agreed to drop nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in order to escape the need to land and fight on the home islands of Japan (which would result in too many American lives lost). Japanese gave up unconditionally, and after the bombs were dropped, no invasion was possible. It is relevant because, after the war, the US helped reconstruct and democratize Japan, creating an ally -
United Nations is created
In helping to coordinate and start the United Nations, the US played a key role in United Nations: an intergovernmental body entrusted with the promotion of international relations and the establishment and preservation of international order (UN created Oct 24, 1945)
The League of Nations definition, originally proposed by Woodrow Wilson, was based on. It is significant because it is set up as an international peace organization. -
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Nuremberg Trials
The precedent was set by
That people are accountable for their own actions
For potential war crimes cases. However, it is important that the precedents set by the Nuremberg Trials and the prosecution of the Nazis have not brought an end to genocide worldwide. -
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine (March 12, 1947) pledged to contain communism in Europe and was first enforced when Greece and Turkey were supplied with military and financial assistance by the United States to resist the rebel powers there supported by communism. This is significant because it contains communism in Europe. -
Marshall Plan
The US has provided financial assistance [the Marshall Plan] to encourage economic reconstruction and to avoid the collapse of Communism in the European countries. George Marshall, Sec. of State, proposed the Marshall Plan (April 3, 1948), or the Economic Recovery Plan of 1948. It is necessary to avoid the collapse of communist rebel forces from financial & military assistance to Greece & Turkey. -
Israel is established
The US-sponsored the Jewish people's self-determination by establishing the Jewish state of Israel. The US immediately acknowledged and supported Israel. This is significant because it shows the influence on the consciousness of the US and the world of German war crimes. -
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Berlin Airlift
The Soviet Union's first test of US strategy came when the Soviets blockaded Berlin. The US won the Berlin Airlift in this first Cold War conflict. This is important because the US supplied food, water, and other supplies to the citizens of Berlin via air drops. -
US establishes NATO
Set up a military alliance against the Soviet Union
The Warsaw Pact was organized by the Soviet Union in 1955.
A military coalition of the nations of Eastern Europe against NATO
The political alliance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) against the Soviet Union -
Soviet Union tested an atomic bomb
This led to the United States speeding the production of the hydrogen bomb and starting a race for nuclear weapons. China fell to communism under the leadership of Mao Tse-tung, after a long civil war between the US-backed nationalist [Chiang Kai-shek] and communist forces (Mao Zedong) -
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Korean Conflict (War)
The Truman administration claimed that the Soviet Union had planned this invasion and encouraged the United Nations to take action. The United Nations voted unanimously to call for a truce to protect South Korea and encourage 'police action.'Most soldiers and financial support for the Korean War came from the U.S. It is necessary because formal peace talks ended above the 38th parallel with North Korean forces, a containment victory. -
Soviet Union launches Sputnik
When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik on Oct 4, 1957, the space race took off. In the 1940s and 1950s, in the post-war world, the space race, xenophobia, and the Soviet launch of Sputnik set the stage for the second round of the Red Scare.
It is important because the US responded to math/science skills by passing the National Defense Education Act to increase -
National Defense Education Act
Promoting talents in science and mathematics. The concern that consumerism has made Americans less competitive and less likely to win the arms race counteracts this. The arms race has raised concerns that have been expressed in both the construction of bomb shelters and popular culture. When the first man landed on the moon, the US finally took the lead in the space race (1969). The success of the 1950s encouraged young people to remain in school. -
Rise of the Berlin Wall (Construction begins)
It became a sign of the Cold War to divide East and West Germany and to prevent the citizens of the Eastern bloc from fleeing through Berlin[1962] to freedom in the West. This is significant because it is the physical sign of European division. -
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
On 24 Dec 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to assist a friendly regime. Due to the containment policy, the US-sponsored the Afghan resistance movement (much of it done secretly)
In 1989, the Soviets withdrew. The Taliban formed into Afghan rebel groups that supported and sheltered Al Qaeda (Osama bin Laden)
It is necessary because the Soviets are trying to help the Afghan resistance movement by the govt/US -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Cold War ended mainly because of: Changes in the USSR
Arms race pressure and Afghanistan's war on the Soviet economy
Liberation in Eastern Europe Movement. In 1991, the Soviet Union dissolved. It is significant because the collapse of the Berlin Wall was viewed as the end of the Cold War in 1989.