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Formation of the Axis Powers
Facsist countries officially joined together by signing the Tripartite Pact. These countries included Germany, Italy, and Japan. Also these countries became the Axis powers. This Alliance was formed to keep the US out of war. These countries will now officilally be the enemies of the US if they join the war. -
FDR runs for Third Term
FDR decided to break the tradition of the two- term presidency, begun by George Washington and run for reelection. FDR's republican opponent Wendell Willikie, supported Roosevelt's policy of aiding Britain. Also Roosevelt and Willikie promise to keep the nation out of war. Roosevelt was reelected with nearly 55 percent of the votes cast. -
Passing of the Lend- Lease Act
In late 1940 Britain had no more cash to spend in the arsenal of democracy. Roosevelt tried to help by bring up the idea of a lend- lease policy. This was when the president would lend or lease arms and other supplies to "any country whose defense was vital to the United States.Isolaitonnist argued bitterly against the plan, but Amercans favored, and congress passed the Lend- Lease Act. -
Supporting Stalin
In 1941, Hitler broke the agreement he had made in 1939 with Stalin not to got to war and invaded the Soviet Union. Roosevelt then began spending lend lease supplies to the Sovet Uniion, Americans opposed to the idea of aiding Stalin, however Winston Churchill agreed. -
FDR Plans for War
Roosevelt was popular, but his foreign policy was under constant attack.Roosevelt's August 1941 proposal to extend the term of draftees passed in the House of Representatives by obly one vote, Roosevelt began planning for the war he was certain would come after the army was provided for -
Signing of the Atlantic Charter
A meeting between Winston Churchill and FDR aboard the USS Augusta to discuss the war in Europe and possible US commitment. The meeting resulted in the signing of the Atlantic Charter which was a joint decleration of goal. Those goals included collective security, disarmament, self- determination, economic cooperation, and freedom of the seas. The US is once again supporting Great Britain in their fight against Axis Powers -
Pearl Harbor
The US military had broken Japan's secret communication codes and lerned that Japan was preparing for a strke. In late November Roosevelt sent out a "war warning" to military commanders in Hawii. If war could not be avoided the warning said " the United States desires that Japan commit the first overt act." The peace talks went on for a month. Then Roosevelt received a docoded messsage that instructed peace envoy to reject all American peace proposals. Early Dec. 7 Japanese attack pearl Harbor
