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Germany signs Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pacy with Soviets
The two former rivals promised not to attack one another. Secretly, they planned to invade Poland. -
Period: to
Moving Closer to War
As war exploded in Europe, it became difficult for the Unites States to maintain it's neutrality. America would have to decide if they were going to get involved. -
Germany invades Poland
German blitzkrieg, or sudden attack, hit Poland from three directions. Germany broke through Poland's defenses and destroyed it's air force. -
Neutrality Act of 1939
Allowed belligerent nations to buy goods and arms in the united Sates. -
Germany attacks Denmark and Norway
Germany's nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union freed Hitler to send his army West. The two countries fell almost immediately. -
The battle in Britain begins.
The British lost nearly 1000 planes. The Germans lost nearly 1700. -
Tripartite Pact
Germany, Italy, and Japan signed the Tripartite Pact and became allies. -
Selective Service Act
Congress passes a Selective Service Act, which is a peacetime draft. Provided military with 1.2 million troops and 800,00 reserve troops each year -
FDR addresses Congress
FDR talks about "four freedoms" which are freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. -
Lend-Lease Act
Authorized Roosevelt to "sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of, to any such government any defense article.' -
Atlantic Charter
FDR and Churchill talk about Britain's problems. They signed the Atlantic Charter, a document that endorsed national self-determination and an international system of general security.
