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Selective Service Act
The Selective Service Act allowed the president to draft soldiers. President Wilson had very few volunteers for soldiers during WWI and the Selective Service Act was created to dramatically increase the size of the army. -
Hitler named leader of the Nazi Party in Germany
After WWI Hitler remained in the army as an investigative officer. During this time he investigated the German Worker's Party. The party promoted anti- Semitism and German nationalism. Hitler joined the party, became the leader, and renamed it the National Socialist German Worker's Party or Nazi for short. -
Kellogg- Briand Pact signed
The Kellogg- Briand Pact was an agreement between Nations to prevent another World War. The Pact had several conditions where war was acceptable, such as for self defense, to the Monroe Doctrine, and military obligations. This coupled with no clear method of enforcement led the Pact to do little in preventing another war. -
Japan invades Manchuria
A Japanese railway blew up in the city of Mukden and Japan blamed Chinese nationalist. To retaliate, Japan invaded Manchuria. The world nations were shocked by Japan's actions, but because of the depression, no one wanted to administer economic sanctions. -
Enabling Act of 1933 is issued
The German Reichstag passed the Enabling Act which gave Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers. It allowed Hitler to undergo his national revolution. -
Neutrality Act of 1935 Signed
The neutrality act was designed to keep the US out of any future wars. The act prohibited weapon sale to "belligerent" nations (which was widely understood to mean Germany and Italy), and warned other Nations of increased control of American waters. -
FDR wins a 3rd Term as President
FDR was widely criticized for running a third term. It had been a precedent since George Washington to step down after 2 terms. FDR felt as though it was his duty to serve another term in the rise of Nazi Germany and won another term. -
Lend Lease program enabled
The lend-lease program allowed the US president to send military or financial aid to an ally. This allowed the US to be involved in the war efforts but while still keeping out. -
A. Philip Randolph's march and Roosevelt's response
A. Philip Randolph proposed a march on Washington to protest the discrimination in industries and the military. FDR asked Randolph to stop the march. Randolph wouldn't budge, so FDR implemented an executive order which barred discrimination in the military and industry which led Randolph to stop the march. -
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan led a surprise attack on the US military base, Pearl Harbor, in Hawaii. 2,400 Americans were killed along with the destruction of 19 ships and 300 aircrafts. The attack brought America into the war the following day. -
Adolf Hitler declares war against the United States
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japan wanted Germany to declare war against America. The Germans were hesitant at first but Hitler ultimately decided to declared war on America and justified it by saying that FDR's failed new deal caused the war.