U.S. Enters WWII
What was America's initial stance regarding WWII?
They wanted to remain neutral, and not supply weapons or money to any country that was at war.
What was island hopping? Why was it used?
U.S offensive strategy to move from island to island in the Pacific, slowly moving closer to mainland Japan and reducing their power/influence in the region.
What was rationing? Why was it important?
Managing the consumption of foods and resources at home so that there was enough for the military members and war products.
What officially ended WWII?
President Truman approving the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
What is Cash-Carry?
A policy where countries could purchase weapons from the United States if they paid in cash and transported the weapons themselves.
The attack on Pearl Harbor/the War in the Pacific led to what happening to Japanese-Americans?
Japanese internment camps, took Japanese-Americans from their homes, took their businesses, clothes, personal belongings, and imprisoned them as they were a "national security threat"
What groups helped military production during WWII?
Women and minorities
What was the Manhattan Project?
America's top secret research project to develop an atomic bomb before Germany.
Why was the Cash-Carry policy changed to Lend-Lease?
U.S. allies could not afford to purchase war supplies with cash and struggled to fight the axis powers; the U.S. agreed to loan weapons/supplies to its allies in order to help them in WWII.
What were examples of Japanese imperialism? What resource were they looking to take control of?
Philippines, Manchuria, China, Vietnam, Laos, etc. They needed oil - U.S. placed an oil embargo on them.
The economic boom of WWII led the United States out of what?
The Great Depression
Who attended the Yalta Conference? What did it lead to?
What major event caused the United States to fully enter WWII?
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
What did the Japanese specifically target at Pearl Harbor?
Aircraft Carriers
What was the Double V campaign?
Victory at home and victory abroad - Victory abroad in WWII against fascism and victory at home against racism
What were the two groups created shortly after the end of WWII? Why were each of them created?
NATO - U.S. and its allies wanted to align themselves together against the threat of the USSR and Communism.
Warsaw Pact - USSR and its satellite states wanted to reinforce/spread Communism in Eastern Europe and beyond
The Nye Commission report stated what? What did this lead to?
U.S. banks and Wartime manufacturers were not to blame for entering WWI, but did profit from it significantly. This led to public distrust in reasons for the U.S. entering WWI.
What battle was the turning point for the United States in the War in the Pacific? How was this a turning point?
The Battle of Midway, this shifted the war from defense to offense.
What were the Zoot Suit Riots?
Racial tensions between whites and Mexicans who wore zoot suits made of extra fabric (offensive and unpatriotic during a time of rationing) and led to mobs/fights after servicemen moved into Mexican American neighborhoods
What was the Truman Doctrine? What was the Marshall Plan?
Truman Doctrine - $400 million of financial U.S. aid given to Greece and Turkey by President Harry Truman to fight against Communist influences.
Marshall Plan - $13.3 billion of U.S. financial aid given to rebuilding European countries after WWII. Wanted to spread Capitalism/Democracy and contain Communism.