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Interwar Foreign Policy
The United Sates shifted its foreign policy drastically in the years that led up to WWII. -
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Mobilization
A period of time where America began to shift their focus from normal production to production for war. During this period, Americans mobilized soldiers, civilians, and workers to put towards the war efforts. -
Military Intervention
Contractor Henry J. Kaiser revolutionized ship construction by applying Henry Ford's mass production techniques to meet wartime production. He invented the "Liberty Ship" which was a large vessel used to carry cargo and troops to the war zone every two weeks. This was the beginning of a turning point which led to mass production of military hardware in America which helped them to be stronger against enemies. -
War with Japan (Pearl Harbor)
On December 7, 1941, Japan took out a surprise attack on US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Around 350 Japanese aircraft sunk or extremely damaged eighteen US naval vessels. This included eight battleships, 300 aircraft, and killed 2,403 men. -
Propaganda
While attempting to bring more people into the war efforts, propaganda such as Rosie the Riveter was used. Rosie the Riveter was used to urge women in America to join defense industries which created a new image for working women. Women made up 36 percent of the labor force in 1945 compared to the 25 percent at the beginning of the war. Propaganda like Rosie the Riveter was used to attract women to work while men were away at war to provide things such as weapons. -
Opportunities/Economy
Due to discrimination against African Americans in the workforce, activists like A. Philip Randolph began to organize protests. While FDR wasn't a strong supporter on equality, he wanted to avoid public protests during the nation's war preparations. With this being said, he issues Executive Order 8802 which prohibited "discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color, or national origin". -
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Military
Men in America sent to war to fight for their country. America was still working on mobilizing but out produced many other nations. Americans were motivated. -
International Investment
The Revenue Act expanded the number of people paying income taxes in America from 3.9 million to 42.6 million. The government borrowed half of those costs to put it into the war. In addition, the WPB (War Production Board) distributed scarce resources such as oil, copper, and rubber. The government invested in the people to contribute to the war. -
Government Programs
In attempt to mobilize America, there was a program called the Native American "code talkers" or Navajo code talkers. Located in the Pacific theater, the Navajo code talkers communicated orders to fleet commanders. They used code based off of the Navajo language which was extremely hard to decipher and Japanese intelligence couldn't hack it. Less than 50 non-Navajos in the world could understand their language. They sent and received over eight hundred codes without fail. -
Executive Order 9066
Authorized the War Department to force Japanese Americans from their homes on the West Coast to relocation camps for the rest of the war. Japanese Americans were forced out of their homes, businesses, and lives to move into hastily built camps with one suitcase of their belongings. -
American Motivations for War
America was extreamly motivated by the casualties of the bombing of Pear Harbor which brought them into the war. The forming of Allies and fear of communism spreading raged throughout America which brought people from multiple states to enlist. -
Island Hopping
A tactic Americans used to get closer to Japan. As a result of the Battle of Midway, US soldiers divided a plan to defeat every island getting closer to Japan as they go. This gave the term "island hopping". At the end, the island hoppers had almost done a full circle around the Pacific Ocean. -
The Manhattan Project
Led by the Allied Powers to develop the first nuclear weapons in World War II. The detonation of these bombs led to the new Atomic Age. -
D-Day
Long awaited invasion of Normandy, France commanded under German General Eisenhower. British, American, and Canadian soldiers suffered many casualties on the beach of Normandy. Eventually, the Allied Powers drove Germans out of France and Belgium. The final offensive named the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium drove Germany back across the Rhine River.