The Second World War

The economic crisis caused Americans to turn inward and dominate the framing of the US foreign policy up to 1939.

'I hate war'-FDR

As Britain and France continued to stand against the Nazis, the US had nothing to fear from Germany.

Japan

Various countries controlled other countries.

For example, Britain controlled India, Burma and Hong Kong.

America had Hawaii.

But Japan did not like the white man's rule in Asia and was a threat to the status quo. But Japan needed natural resources such as oil and was tied down by her war in China.

They then test the waters to see what America will do, given that they are still in isolation.

December 1937-Japanese bombers sank the USS Panay

2 killed and 30 wounded.

The US government demand an apology, compensation and a gurantee that there would not be a repeat of such an incident.

Japan give $2 million in compensation.

Europe

Congress agreed in November 1939 to a cash and carry system. America would sell arms to the democracies as long as the democracies pick them up and carried them off.

MANHATTAN PROJECT-Albert Einstein and Roosevelt create nuclear weapons.

June 1940-The Fall of France. The Balance of power was gone.

Campaign in 1940

'And while I am talking to you, mothers and fathers, I give you one more assuarance. Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign war'-Britain is running out of money and so cannot pay cash for the shipping and other supplies

They then have a lend lease scheme with America where America gave Britain loans. It is often called the 'good neighbour' policy. Roosevelt compared the scheme to the idea of lending a garden hose to a neighbour whose house was on fire. He did this to ensure that war was kept away from the shores of America.

Altantic Charter-Aug 1941

Met with Churchill to think about how to free Europe from the Nazis. It lasted for 4 days and established goals post war. To ensure that it was diplmatic and not seen as America siding with the Allies, they met on a boat.

They wanted free trade in the world

Freedom of the deas.

Freedom for people to choose their own government

An end to the use of armed forces

The final destruction of Nazi tyranny.

By the end of September, 15 countries had signed the charter (origin of the United Nations)

Still isolationism?

British ships repaired in US shipyards?

After an American destroyer was attacked, Roosevelt ordered the US Navy to shoot on sight at German or Italian warships.

Congress revised neutrailty acts-US munition ships to arm and carry munitions directly to Britain.

By the end of November 1941, few Americans supported isolationism. 15,000 Americans had either enlisted in Canadian or British armed forces.

Deteriorating relationship with Japan

The US Navy do not wish to provoke the Japanese. It wanted time, not only to bring about Hitler's defeat but also to build a first class striking force.

They had a naval base in Hawaii.

70% of people were willing to risk war in the Pacific rather than let Japan continue to expanda.

FDR froze all Japanese assets in the US.

Effective?

Economic blockade on Japan.

Could not buy oil, steel or other necessities without Roosevelt's permission.

August-November 1941, Japan sought some form of acceptable political compromise all the while sharpening their military plabs preparations.

The Japanese demanded a freehand in Asia and an Anglo-American promise not to meddle in or interrupt. Conflict was inevitable.

There were tensions between the Japanese government and its army.

Konoe was the prime minister and wanted to without from China whereas Tojo wanted to continue negotiations until november.

December 7th of 1941 saw Pearl Harbour.

The following day, America declared war on Japan but still had no reason to declare war on Germany. However on the 11th Hitler declared war on America.

They form an alliance with Russia and Britian which is called the Grand Alliance of World War Two or even the Strange Alliance.

They agree to Operation Torch.

In December 1943 they meet for the first time. Soviet Union agrees to declare war on Japan.

The War in the Pacific

Japanese victories in the early months of the War in the Pacific had secured the country 3/4 of the world's natural rubber reserves, 2/3 of tin and vital supplies of oil.

US intelligience had decoded Japanese communication and knew that the rest of New Guinea was next in order to cut them off fro the US.

They battle from the 4th of 8th May in 1942. This was the first naval battle iun which opposing sides never sighted one another but relied on scout aircraft to direct attacks against one another's war ships.

Both sides suffer heavy damage.

But the Japanese suffer more and ultimately fail to capture the rest of New Guinea from which they could have attacked Australia.

The Battle of Midway

The Us defeated Japan in a seaborne attack. Military effort was focused on the destrcution of Japan but that would not be enough There was no way to restore the old ways. They were also afraid that Japan would fall to communism.

They wanted to drive out the Japanese, present European colonisalim and foster the growth of democrative capitalism.

Yalta conference took place in February 1945. They hoped for continued commuist capitalist relations. However Roosevelt died on April 12th.

Potsdam conference in July 1945 saw relationship diminish.

By mid 1945, Japan had clrealy lost the war but were still fighting. They had lost most of their pacific empire but still retained much of control over China and SE Asia. They had control over all of Korea and Manchuria.

There were 5,350 kamakazes ready and 7,000 in storage with 2 million soldiers in Manchuria.

If Stalin declared war, Japan would be unable to fight both American and Russia. However, if both helped would Japan become capitalist or communist?

At Potsdam Truman had hinted that America had a new weapon. They demanded that Japan surrender unconditionally and they could retain their Emperor. Japan refused to surrender.

6th of August 1945-The first atomic bomb is dropped

9th of August the second is dropped.

Japan surrenders on the 10th of August 1945.