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The 1939 US Neutrality Act
The USA didn't want to become involved in a war that didn't threaten its national security, so congress passed the Neutrality Act of 1939. The isolationists of the USA did not want their country to meddle with a war between foreign nations unless it was the only option. The Neutrality Act also created the "Cash & Carry" policy. Any nation at war could purchase war materials from the United States as long as they paid in cash and handled the shipping on their own. -
The Selective Service Act
Created before entering the war, the Selective Service Act of 1940 required that all men ages 18-45 be subject to military service. This was the first peace-time draft in American history. The men were selected via a lottery system, and every man whose name was drawn was required to serve for 12 months. -
Sinking of the USS Reuben James
Hitler had already broken his non-aggression pact with The Soviet Union in June of 1941. Despite the Axis Powers' constant attacks on the allies and resources of the US, citizens still demanded to remain neutral. However, after provoking the USA by sinking the USS Reuben James, war was inevitable. -
The Bombing of Pearl Harbor
World War II: Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor (Britannica.com)
Japan sent 6 aircraft carriers, 360 airplanes, 28 ships, and several submarines to surprise attack the U.S. fleet docked at Pearl Harbor. The Japanese wanted to neutralize the U.S. Pacific fleet in an effort to protect themselves as they advanced through the Pacific in a search for natural resources. War between the USA and Japan had been anticipated since Japan's invasion of China -
The United States of America Officially Declares War On Germany and Italy
Before the USA declared war, the Axis Powers had already siezed control of almost all mainland Europe except for Spain and Switzerland. The votes from congress were almost unanimously in favor of war. -
Battle of Midway
1942 Battle of Midway (Part 1/6) This battle was the major turning point. The US intercepted and cracked a code transmission from Japan and discovered their plans to attack Midway Island. As a result, the Navy was prepared to ambush the Japanese fleet and win the battle. 3057 Japanese were killed, but only 362 Americans were killed. -
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Hitler's "Final Solution"/The Height of the Holocaust
The Nazi's killed over 11 million people, 6 million of them Jewish. The Nuremberg Laws denied citizenship to Jews and segregated them from his "Aryan Race." One of the most famous events was Kristallnacht or "The Night of Broken Glass" in which 1500 synagogues were destroyed. In 1944 FDR created the War Refugee Board. Allied troops were shocked to see the victims in the liberated concentration camps. -
The Tehran Conference
The Soviet Union forces were exhausted from fighting Germany on the East front, so Stalin urged Roosevelt and Churchill to attack from the West. Churchill argued that his forces were not ready to mount an attack, but Roosevelt agreed that they needed to proceed with the invasion. -
D-Day (Operation Overlord)
WW II D-DAY 3 of 3 JUNE 6,1944 RARE COLOR FILM The allies constructed a "Phony Army" prior to D-day to trick the Germans into thinking that they would attack the city of Calais. On D-day, 21 American and 26 British/Canadian/Polish divisions attacked a 50 mile stretch of beaches in France's Normandy region. Omaha beach put up the most challenging fight. D-day was one of the largest military assaults in history. -
The Battle of Iwo Jima
The battle began in February and lasted through March. Iwo Jima had an airstrip that the US would use to launch attacks against Tokyo. About 60,000 marines were sent to the Island to fight, The Japanese were hiding in bunkers and tunnels that the marines cleared out with grenades and flamethrowers. over 4,000 marines were killed, and around 20,000 injured. -
V-E Day
V-E stands for "Victory in Europe." The Germans had tried to use confusing tactics (like english speaking soldiers) to win the battle of the Bulge, but they lost. By January, the RUssians reached the Oder river and the Western forces had reached the Rhine. Germany had no choice but to surrender on May 7, 1945. -
The Bombs are dropped
President Truman was now in power and decided to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Military advisors thought that it would take 1 million men to successfully invade Japan. On August 6, the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, killing up to 120,000 people. On August 9, the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing up to 75000 people. -
V-J Day
Emperor Hirohito decided to surrender on August 15, even though it was considered dishonorable in Japan. Japan officially surrendered on Sept 2, 1945.
