US6 From Isolationism To World War Flashcards
What does America’s policy of isolationism after the First World War mean?
America kept out of the affairs of other countries and focused on building up its economy and strong trade links
In October 1937 what did Franklin D Roosevelt say peace loving nations should do? 
- Breakoff relations with aggressive nations
- It was clear that he was referring to Germany, Italy and Japan which had been taking over other nations in Europe Africa, and the far east 
When war began in Europe in September 1939, who did America declare support for?
- Britain and France against Germany and it’s allies
- FDR was also concerned about Japan’s aggressiveness in the Far East where America did much trade and controlled large areas of land 
When did the USA begin to help Britain and France against Germany?
November 1939
How did America help Britain and France against Germany?
- The cash and carry plan - America sold Britain and France US weapons which created valuable production jobs at a time of rising unemployment
- Lend lease - from March March 1941 America started to lend weapons to Britain. The USA strikes similar deal with the USSR when Germany attacked it in June 1941 
What was the reaction in America to the US government support of Britain against Germany?
- organisations such as the mothers Crusade and the American first committee held big anti-war demonstrations
- others saw the economic benefits. As America began to rearm in case it was forced to enter the war millions found jobs, building fighter planes, battleships, and tanks or in the armed forces 
During the 1930s, what was Japan’s attitude to its surrounding countries?
It began to invade many of the surrounding countries, seizing food and raw materials 
What did FDR do in protest at Japan’s aggression during the 1930s?
FDR vowed not to sell any oil or steel to Japan which angered the Japanese 
Where was Pearl Harbor and when was it attacked?
On Sunday, the 7th of December 1941 Japanese bomber plane attacked Pearl Harbor and American naval base in Hawaii 
What was the result of the Pearl Harbor attack?
The next day, America and Britain declared war on Japan three days later Germany and Italy Japan’s allies declared war on America 
What was the WPB?
The war production board - created to convert industries from peace time work to war work
In 1943 and 1944 how many planes were produced by US factories?
86,000 planes in 1943 and 96,000 in 1944 which is 28,000 more than Germany and Japan combined
What happened to unemployment after America joined the Second World War?
Unemployment dropped as America began to rearm 
How did the unemployment rate in America change between 1939 and 1944?
- Unemployment dropped from 9,500,000 to just 670,000
- by 1941 around 4000,000 people had found jobs in the armed forces or building fighter planes, battleships and tanks 
How are farmers affected by America joining the Second World War?
Farmers prospered because they supplied food to the military 
