Third Term With the US on the brink of entering World War II, FDR

decided to run for an unprecedented third presidential term. Make a list of reasons why this might have been a good idea and a list of reasons why this could have been a bad idea. Then write your opinion in a single sentence below your lists.

America’s Neutrality Weakens

1934

Publication of Merchants

of Death. Increases

Isolationist feelings

Nye hearings

conducted from ‘34

to ’36 to investigate

1935

1st Neutrality Act

passed –can’t sell

weapons to nations

at war

1936 1937

2nd Neutrality Act- can’t loan $

to nations at war

3rd Neutrality Act-US

neutral in Spanish.

Civil War

“Let no man or woman thoughtlessly or falsely talk of America sending its armies to European fields…This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well…I have said it not once, but many times, that I have seen war and I hate war…As long as it is in my power to prevent, there will be no blackout of peace in the United States.”

~FDR

1938 1939

October-FDR

asks for $300

million for

defense

November:

Recalls German

Ambassador

Program to

build 10,000

planes

“Cash and Carry”

policy: Countries must

pay cash and

transport

“No man can tame a tiger into a kitten by stroking it.” ~FDR

“If Hitler invaded Hell, Britain would work with the devil to stop him.”

~Churchill

1941

August: Atlantic

Charter signed w/

Churchill: US War

Goals

1940

1st Peacetime draft

Lend-Lease Act:

We loan weapons

in return for

ability to lease

naval bases.

July: Cut off

trade with

Japan

Atlantic Charter US war aims

1. No territorial gains were to be sought by the United States or the United

Kingdom.

2. Territorial adjustments must be in accord with the wishes of the peoples

concerned.

3. All peoples had a right to self determination

4. Trade barriers were to be lowered.

5. There was to be global economic cooperation and advancement of social

welfare.

6. Freedom from want and fear.

7. Freedom of the seas.

8. Post war disarmament/International organization

1941

August:

Atlantic

Charter signed

w/ Churchill:

US War Goals

1940

1st Peacetime draft

Lend-Lease Act:

We loan weapons

in return for

ability to lease

naval bases.

December 7th—

Attack on Pearl

Harbor

July: Cut off

trade with

Japan

Nov:

Japanese

Tojo sends

peace envoy

Lead up to Pearl Harbor July 1941 – US cuts off trade with Japan (Oil)

Nov 1941 – Tojo sends peace envoy to US

Dec 6, 1941 – all peace talks rejected by Japan

Dec 7, 1941 – surprise attack on Pearl Harbor

Overview Pearl Harbor, on the Island of O'ahu, Hawaii was attacked by the

Japanese Imperial Navy, at approximately 8:00 A.M., Sunday morning, December 7, 1941.

Surprise attack conceived by Admiral Yamamoto, including a striking force of 353 Japanese aircraft

Approximately 100 US Naval ships were present that morning, including battleships, destroyers, cruisers and various support ships.

Over ½ the U.S. Pacific fleet was out to sea, including aircraft carriers.

Simultaneously, Hickam Field was also the victim of the surprise attack 18 Army aircraft including bombers and fighters and attack bombers were

destroyed or damaged on the ground.

A few U.S. fighters struggled into the air against the invaders and gave a good account of themselves.

A total of twenty-nine Japanese aircraft were shot down by ground fire and U.S pilots from various military installations on O'ahu.

There had been no formal declaration of war.

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Expansion of the Military Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall

5 million volunteers

Selective Service System: 10 million draftees

Women’s Auxiliary Army Corp (WAAC): women in non-combat military roles (eventually drop Auxiliary)

Significant contributions by minorities

Japanese-Americans serve as translators

Tuskegee Airmen—all black army air unit

Navaho Wind Talkers—Native American coders

War Material Production & a Reliable Workforce Convert factories to war production

Tanks, ships, airplanes

Liberty Ships: rebuild the Navy quickly, 1 ship in 4 days

Grooming Nose cones for A-20 Bombers

War Material Production & a Reliable Workforce By 1944, 18 million in the workforce, 6 mill women

A. Philip Randolph protested discrimination with march on Washington

FDR responds with Executive Order 8802: No discrimination in the workforce by race

War Material Production & a Reliable Workforce National War Labor Board (NWLB):

limited wage increases

Allowed negotiated benefits, such as paid vacation, pensions, and medical insurance

Forbade changing unions

Smith-Connally Anti-Strike Act (1943)

Limited the right to strike in industries crucial to the war effort

President power to take over striking plants

War Production Board (WPB)

Rationed fuel, rubber, steel, plastic, etc

Raise Money & Balance the Economy Issue War Bonds

Revenue Act of 1942

Raised income tax

Office of Price Administration (OPA)

Froze wages, prices, rents

Rationed foods

Sugar Rationing

Receiving his first ration book

Rationed Items Rationing Duration

Tires

Cars

Bicycles

Gasoline

Fuel Oil & Kerosene

Solid Fuels

Stoves

January 1942 to December

1945

February 1942 to October 1945

July 1942 to September 1945

May 1942 to August 1945

October 1942 to August 1945

September 1943 to August

1945

December 1942 to August 1945

Rubber Footwear

Shoes

October 1942 to September

1945

February 1943 to October 1945

Sugar

Coffee

Processed Foods

Meats, canned fish

Cheese, canned milk, fats

May 1942 to 1947

November 1942 to July 1943

March 1943 to August 1945

March 1943 to November 1945

March 1943 to November 1945

Typewriters March 1942 to April 1944