Lecture on US Involvement in World War 2

Introduction

• Discussion on the transition from isolationism to involvement in WWII.
• Examination of American strategy, diplomacy, and changes in international relations post-war.

European Appeasement and American Neutrality

• Treaty of Versailles: Post-WWI reparations placed on Germany.
  • US initially supportive of relief for Germany, but France opposed due to historic grievances.
• Hitler's Actions:
  • Abrogates the Treaty of Versailles, stops reparations, and rearms the military.
  • Aggressive territorial expansion under the guise of "Lebensraum" for Aryan race.
  • Annexation of territories like Austria and the Sudetenland.
  • Invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939.

Hitler's Alliances

• Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939): Non-aggression pact with Soviet Union, secret agreement to divide Poland.
• Tripartite Pact (1940): Defensive alliance with Japan and Italy, aimed at deterring US involvement.

League of Nations and Appeasement

• Munich Agreement (1938): UK and France allow Hitler's annexation of Sudetenland under appeasement policy.
• Ineffectiveness of appeasement is revealed with continued German expansion.

US Position Pre-War

• Strong isolationist sentiment among American public post-WWI.
• Neutrality Acts (1935-1939): Aimed to prevent arms trade with belligerents, but had caveats like "cash and carry."
• Shift towards supporting Allies due to:
  • German aggression and U-boat attacks.
  • Leadership changes in the UK (Winston Churchill).

US Aid to Allies

• Cash and Carry: Allowed sale of arms as long as recipients paid cash and transported themselves.
• Destroyers for Bases (1940): US gives destroyers to UK for bases in the Western Hemisphere.
• Lend-Lease Act (1941): Provided extensive material support to the UK and later the USSR.

Path to US War Entry

• Axis Powers' Aggression: Invasion of France and the Battle of Britain increased US concern.
• Pearl Harbor (Dec 7, 1941): Japanese attack leads to US declaring war on Japan, followed by Axis declarations against the US.
• Strategic Mistakes by Axis: Hitler's declaration of war on the US aligns American support for involvement in Europe.

US Strategy in Pacific

• Island Hopping Strategy: Preferred over a continental approach due to the strategic and resource benefits.
• Focus on naval and air power to encircle Japan, leading to eventual air raids and invasions.

Preparing the Post-War World

• Conferences: Casablanca, Bretton Woods, Dumbarton Oaks, and Yalta to plan post-war order.
• Unconditional Surrender: Allies demand Axis powers surrender without conditions.
• Bretton Woods (1944): Creation of World Bank and IMF to stabilize global economy.
• Dumbarton Oaks (1944): Foundation for the United Nations.
• Yalta (1945): Agreement on post-war European boundaries and Soviet involvement in the Pacific War.

Conclusion

• FDR's Death (1945): Marks the end of an era, leading to potential changes in US foreign relations under Truman.
• Reflect on the transition from isolationism to a global power role by the US during WWII.