US Neutrality-
- The neutrality acts were passed in the 1930's by the US. It was a response to the issues in Europe in Asia that eventually led to WII
- They were caused by the desire to be isolationists in the US causing WWII
- Passed to insure that US wouldn't become involved in world conflicts (war)
- The US has always had a strong sense of isolationism
- Neutrality act of 1935: signed august 31, 1935. Designed to last 6 months. Banned US trade of arms and war materials with any other country at war. It declared that US citizens traveling on warring ships traveled at their own risk.
- Neutrality act of 1936: signed February 1936. Renewed provisions of 1935 act for another 14 months. Forbade all loans or credits to belligerents. it didn't cover civil wars such as Spanish Civil War. It also didn't cover materials like trucks and oil
- Neutrality act of 1937: passed in may 1937. set to last 2 years. included provisions of earlier acts, this time with no expiration date. It included civil wars. US ships were prohibited from transporting any passengers or items to belligerents. US citizens were forbidden from traveling on ships of belligerent nations. "cash and carry" system was set up.
- Neutrality act of 1939: Passed in November 1939. Allowed for arms trade with belligerent nations on a cash and carry basis. US citizens and ships were barred from entering war zones and designated by the president. FDR believed cash and carry would help France and great Brittan in the event of a war with Germany. FDR chose not to invoke the neutrality acts on Japan and China since they had not formally declared war
- Lend lease act- end of neutrality. it allowed US to sell, lend, or gave war materials to nations the US wanted to support. US gave $50 billion ($650 billion today) to allied nations throughout the war.
- German U-boats- After repeated attacks by German U-boats on US ships in the fall of 1941, FDR announced that he had ordered the US navy to attack German and Italian war ships in the waters which we didn't deem necessary for our defense . war was imminent
- U-boat - is a submarine
- France Great Brittan, Germany, Italy-belligerent nations
- Bases for destroyers- passed in September 1940. Between US and great Britain. 50 US destroyers were given to GB in exchange for land rights (for 99years). on British colonies for naval/airbase purposes. Newfoundland, eastern side of Bahamas, southern coast of Jamaica . western coast of St.Lucia, west coast of Trinidad, Antigua, British Guiana and Bermuda were what US received
- Selective training and service act- passed in September 1940. ended 7 years later. required men between 21-35 register for the draft. Extended to all men 18-45 once US entered war. first peacetime draft in US history. Local draft boards were set up from coast to coast. each male was given a number that would determine draft order
Atlantic Charter- signed august 1941. Between US and Great Britain. Defined the allied goals for the postwar world. No territorial gain. No territorial changes without peoples support from those countries. Self-determination. Free trade. Destruction of Nazis and then setting up a peaceful Gov. in Germany. Freedom of seas. Abandon the use of force, disarmament and stronger league of nation
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