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Neutrality Act
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the 1937 Neutrality Act, which bans travel on hostile ships, forbids the US merchant ships from trading with hostiles, and issues an arms embargo with warring nations. Source: The Neutrality Acts, 1930s - 1921–1936 - Milestones - Office of the Historian. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21, 2016, from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/neutrality-acts -
Naval Expansion Act
The U.S. Congress passes the Naval Expansion Act which gives president Franklin D. Roosevelt one billion dollars to enlarge the navy. Source: Military. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21, 2016, from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/scn-1933-roosevelt.htm -
Roosevelt Writes to Hitler and Mussolini
President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote letters to both Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, requesting their promise not to attack a list of nations for at least ten years. Hitler responded on behalf of the Italian leader and himself, assuring Roosevelt that he had nothing to fear. Source: Franklin Roosevelt appeals to Hitler for peace. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21, 2016, from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/franklin-roosevelt-appeals-to-hitler-for-peace -
Congress Lifts Aid Embargo
Congress grants Roosevelt's request to revise neutrality laws, prevent American ships from sailing into war zones, and repeal an arms embargo so that munitions could be sold to Britain and France. Source: FDR urges repeal of Neutrality Act embargo provisions. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21, 2016, from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fdr-urges-repeal-of-neutrality-act-embargo-provisions -
The Greer
Provoked by the American destroyer, Greer, a German submarine fires on the ship. In response to the attack, Roosevelt orders the navy to shoot any Axis battleships they encounter. Source: The Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21, 2016, from http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/wwii/jb_wwii_pearlhar_1.html -
Pearl Harbor
Japanese fighter planes attack the American base at Pearl Harbor destroying US aircraft and naval vessels, and killing a total of 2,355 US servicemen and 68 civilians. Source: The Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21, 2016, from http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/wwii/jb_wwii_pearlhar_1.html -
US At War
The US declares war on Germany, Italy, and Japan because of the Pearl Harbor incident. Germany and Italy, Japan's axis partners, declare war on the United States. Source: The Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21, 2016, from http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/wwii/jb_wwii_pearlhar_1.html -
The Big Three in Potsdam
The Allied leaders met in Potsdam, Germany to send an ultimatum to Japan. Japanese military leaders ruling the government issued no surrender even though Germany and Italy have already done so. Source: The Potsdam Conference, 1945. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21, 2016, from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/potsdam-conf -
Hiroshima
The United States drops an atomic bomb- the first to be used in warfare- on Hiroshima, killing 75,000 people instantly and injuring more than 100,000. Source: History.com Staff. (2009, January 01). Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Retrieved May 21, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
Nagasaki
When Japan didn't surrender after Hiroshima, the US dropped another atomic bomb (which was more powerful than before). However, because of the location where the bomb was dropped, Nagasaki suffered less damage than Hiroshima. Source: History.com Staff. (2009, January 01). Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Retrieved May 21, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki -
WWII Ends
A formal surrender ceremony is conducted in Tokyo Bay on the U.S. battleship, Missouri. World War II officially ends. Source: History.com Staff. (2009, January 01). Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Retrieved May 21, 2016, from http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki
