Chapter 5Germany’s Defeat in WWII

Role of the USA

Lesson Objectives

1) Background2) Indirect Involvement3) Direct Involvement

Inquiry Question

Topic Inquiry Question:

“Was the entry of the USA in 1941 the main cause of Germany’s defeat in WWII?”

Key words?

Background

Background

Isolationist sentiments were strong in the USA – Why?▪ Effects of Great

Depression▪ Horrors of World

War I▪ Sense of

Geographical Isolation Woodrow Wilson

Background

Neutrality Act passed in 1937 ▪ Based on this cartoon, what was the purpose of the Neutrality Act?

Background

Neutrality Act passed in 1937 – to ensure that the USA wouldn’t become involved in a foreign war▪ Features included: ▪The prohibition of American ships from transporting passengers/materials to warring nations ▪The forbidding of US citizens from travelling on ships to warring nations

USA’s Indirect Involvement

Does anyone know who

this is?

‘Cash and Carry’ to Lend-Lease Act

‘Cash and Carry’ (Sep 1939)▪ Allowed Britain and France to buy arms from the USA on a ‘cash and carry’ basis

Br/Fr could buy US-produced weapons but had to pay cash up front and had to settle their own transportation

‘Cash and Carry’ to Lend-Lease Act

Lend-Lease Act (Mar 1941)▪ Britain’s resources drained by 1940

‘Cash and Carry’ to Lend-Lease Act

Lend-Lease Act (Mar 1941)▪ Britain’s resources drained by 1940▪Under L-L Act, US could supply food, weapons and equipment to Britain and other countries whose defence was deemed vital to US security▪Later extended to USSR in June 1941

‘Cash and Carry’ to Lend-Lease Act

Lend-Lease Act (Mar 1941)

Under L-L Act, payment for weapon purchases could be deferred and payment didn’t have to be in cash

L-L Act gave the Allies a fresh injection of supplies and resources needed to fight Germany

‘Arsenal of Democracy’

President Roosevelt (FDR) felt that the USA should be the ‘arsenal of democracy’ What does it mean? Take a

guess!

The idea that the USA should actively support democratic nations such as Britain in their fight against the Axis powers

‘Arsenal of Democracy’

USA increased aid to Britain after France fell to Germany in 1940 50 old destroyers given to the British in

exchange for 8 naval bases in the Caribbean

‘Arsenal of Democracy’

Close bonds were forged between the USA and Britain President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)

and Churchill frequently corresponded with one another

In response, Germany and Italy joined Japan in the Tripartite Pact in 1940 – committed to mutual political, military and economic assistance

‘Arsenal of Democracy’

FDR also planned to expand the US Army and Navy and stepped up the process of rearmament

Allies provided with psychological (moral) and material support during a difficult period allowed Allies to gain military superiority

Fireside Chat, May 26, 1940

There are many among us who in the past closed their eyes to events abroad-because they believed what some of their fellow Americans told them—that what was taking place in Europe was none of our business; that no matter what happened over there, the United States could always pursue its peaceful and unique course in the world.

Fireside Chat, May 26, 1940 There are many among us who closed their eyes, from

lack of interest or lack of knowledge; honestly and sincerely thinking that the many hundreds of miles of salt water made the American Hemisphere so remote that the people of North and Central and South America could go on living in the midst of their vast resources without reference to, or danger from, other continents of the world …

Today we are (now) more realistic. Let us be done with both fears and illusions. On this evening, in our homes in the midst of our American families, let us calmly consider what we have done and what we must do. 

‘Arsenal of Democracy’

What was FDR’s message?

FDR’s ‘fireside chats’ – convinced Americans to end isolationism

Other Forms of Aid

Escort roles▪ US navy escorted Allied convoys at sea after

being attacked by U-boats in late 1941

Allied ships able to cross seas safely

Escort rolesoUS navy escorted Allied convoys at sea after being attacked by U-boats in late 1941

•Allied ships able to cross seas safely

Escort rolesoUS navy escorted Allied convoys at sea after being attacked by U-boats in late 1941

•Allied ships able to cross seas safely

Other Forms of Aid

Economic sanctions on Axis Powers▪ Resources like iron were restricted to deprive

the Axis Powers of resources needed for the war▪ Japan’s US assets were also frozen when it

invaded Indochina in 1941

Economic sanctions contributed to the weakening of the Axis Powers as their supplies were drained

USA’s Direct InvolvementEntry into WWII

Entry into WWII

What prompted direct US entry into WWII?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxIsVYdB0lA

Entry into WWII

What prompted direct US entry into WWII? Japanese Attack

on Pearl Harbour, 7 Dec 1941

‘Day of Infamy’

Contribution of Resources and Manpower

USA was the world’s largest industrial power and it could produce military resources at a rapid rate Axis powers couldn’t keep up Factories converted to military

production

Contribution of Resources and Manpower

Also sent great numbers of US military personnel to aid Allied military campaigns

IMPACT?

Military Collaboration

US participation helped Allies achieve control of the air and sea

Military Collaboration

Control of air Allies able to destroy many German

cities, military sites and oilfields

P-40 Warhawk Fighters

Military Collaboration

Impact?▪ Slowed production of war materials▪ Germany forced to focus on anti-

aircraft guns rather than tanks▪ Luftwaffe lost control of the air

Military Collaboration

Gaining naval supremacy Allies had important bases in the

mid-Atlantic

Military Collaboration

Gaining naval supremacy Allies produced longer-range aircraft

which successfully attacked German U-boats and planes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zCBqpQwSeo

▪ Also produced better equipment like anti-submarine weapons, radio communications and radar

Germany forced to recall U-boats in 1943 Allied supremacy at sea

Military Collaboration

Impact?

Air and sea control = tactical success▪ E.g. D-Day landings made possible

Resulted in Allied victory