WWII General Info

Skirmish between Japanese and Chinese troops

Jul 7, 1932

The Japanese government used it as a pretext to launch a full-scale invasion of China. Hoping to deliver a quick knockout punch, the Japanese furiously bombed Chinese cities and advanced with their better-equipped army.

QUARANTINE SPEECH

Oct 1, 1936

Roosevelt advocated collective action to stop the epidemic aggression. But his hopes of igniting American sensibilities failed.

NEUTRALITY ACT OF 1937

Jan 1, 1937

Limited the trade of even non-munitions to belligerent nations to a "CASH AND CARRY BASIS."

WWII

Period: Jan 1, 1937 to Dec 30, 1941

RAPE OF NANKING

Jun 1, 1937

The brutalities prompted President Roosevelt to abandon cooperation with Congressional isolationists to pursue a more forceful approach against the Japanese.

Roosevelt urged Congressional leaders to repeal the arms embargo

May 1, 1939

Senators from both parties refused the request. Another bombshell crossed the Atlantic on August 24. Adolf Hitler and JOSEF STALIN agreed to put their mutual hatred aside.