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Election of 1940
FDR (Democrat) ran for his third term while the Republican candidate was Wendell Willkie. Willkie's campaign focused on Roosevelt's inability to end the depression, but his strategy did not work as FDR won by a large margin. Roosevelt promised no involvement in foreign affairs and was able to gain support from the south, labor unions, and political machines. -
Lend-Lease Act
The Lend-Leaase Act was a program in which the United States supplied their allied nations (including the United Kingon, Soviet Union, and France) with War materials. The plan proposed by FDR was to "lend-lease or otherwise dispose of arms". 50.1 billion dollars worth of supplies were shipped. It was an act called to further promote the defense of the United States. This Act was a significant step in America becoming involved in the War -
Fair Employment Act
The Fair Employment Act was signed by Frankiln Roosevelt to prohibit discrimination of race and gender with regards to employment. The act was signed as a result of pressure from civil rights activists that were planning a march in Wahington, D.C.. The act was symbolic of the push for Civil Rights during WWII. -
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese bombed the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. This preemptive attack not only shocked america but was the turning point of World War Two. The next day, December 8th, President Roosevelt delivered his "Day of Infamy" speech which inspired american citizens to support entering the War. Later that same day Congress declared war on Germany -
CORE Founded
CORE,the Congress of Racial Equility, is one of the oldest Civil Rights groups in America. CORE was founded by a group of students on the Campus of the University of Chicago. CORE works under the slogan of "Truth! Logic! And Courage!." -
Japanese Internment
Japanese internment came as a result of Pearl Harbor and was made possible by Executive order 9066 signed by Franklin Roosevelt. It allowed the Secetary of War to designate certain areas "from which any or all persons may be excluded." This shows the tensions happening on the home front during the war. Korematsu vs. US followed but ruled that the executive order was in fact constitutional. -
Zoot Suit Riots
The Zoot Suit Riots were a series of riots in Los Angeles, California triggered by several sailors that claimed to have been attacked by a group of Latinos. The sailors organized and entered the various "barrios" to attack the Mexican-Americans. The military deemed LA off-limits for service members in order to stop the riots. The riots showed the racial tensions during the war. -
D-Day
On June 6th, 1944 160,000 allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy France to Fight Nazi Germany. By the end of the day the allied troops had gained control of Normandy. Many Soldiers perished but for many others it was their start on a march through Europe to finally defeat Hitler. This Day was the begining of the end of WW2 -
G.I. Bill-Servicemen's Readjustment Act
The GI Bill was signed by Franklin Roosevelt to help returning soldiers from World War II. The bill called for college education, one year of unemployment compensation, and many other economic benefits for veterans. -
Election of 1944
The election of 1944 recieved less interest then usuall because most people were more interested in the war. FDR ran against Thomas Dewey and won.For three terms FDR's vice president had been Henry Wallace but party leaders felt he was too radical so in replace of him Harry S. Truman became the new vice president. FDR would live for less then three months after his inauguration. -
Yalta Conference
The Yalta Conference was a wartime meeting with the heads of government of the United States, the Soviet Union and United Kingdom. This Meeting was called to discuss Europe's Post War reorganization. This conference was the second of three wartime conferences attended by the "big three" (Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin). The Tehran conference came before it and the Postdam conference came after. Yalta determined the future of Germany after the war. -
Roosevelt Dies
Franklin Roosevelt died at Warm Springs before attending a conference for the founding of the United Nations. He was replaced by his vice president Harry S. Truman. This was the End of the "big three." -
Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United States decided to drop atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after Japan ignored when the United States called for their surrender in the Postdam Decleration. Six Days after the bombings Japan surrendered. The bombings led to Japan's surrender and is the only use a nuclear weapon to date. -
Establishment of the United Nations
The UN was founded after World War II in order to replace the League of Nations. The term "United Nations" was coined by Roosevelt after the Allies in World War II. The UN shows the efforts to avoid war and create international law following WWII. -
Truman Doctrine
The Trumane Doctrine was a policy created by President Truman. This document stated that the United States would support Greece and Turkey with military and economic aid to prevent them from entering the "Soviet Sphere." The Doctrine shows the severity of the Cold War and the growing tensions between US and Soviet Union. -
Marshall Plan
The Marshall plan was an economic program by the United States that was created to rebuild and create a strong economic foundation for countries in Europe.The plan was in operation for 4 years. During these years 13 billion dollars of American assistence were given to these countries. -
US Recognizes Israel as and Independent Nation
President Truman declared Israel an indpendent nation immediately after the Israeli government declared their independence. The United States' recognition caused tension in the UN because Truman failed to notify the UN council prior to his press release. US recognition caused tension in the middle east that exists today. -
Election of 1948
Greatest election upset in American History. Thomas E. Duey (Republican) was, according to the polls, the landslide winner over Truman (Democrat). A third candidate, Strom Thurmond, ran on the Dixierat ticket. Truman won, even though there was a three-way split among Democrats. This election was significant for the Democrats in gaining control of both houses of Congress. -
Formation of NATO
NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty, which was signed on April 4, 1949. NATO began as a political association but became significant during the Cold War because it forced the included nations to develop military plans.
