U.S. History: Neutrality Acts Flashcards

The Neutrality Acts (1935-1937)

• Aimed to keep the U.S. out of European conflicts.
• The first two acts prohibited American arms exports to warring nations.
• The Neutrality Act of 1937 banned American travel on ships of nations at war, allowing non-military sales on a "cash and carry" basis.

FDR's Embargo Act

• Imposed a trade embargo on Japan, freezing Japanese assets in the U.S.
• Targeted oil and steel, significantly impacting Japan's military capability.
• This action contributed to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

U.S. Non-Participation in the League of Nations

• The Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, leading to U.S. absence in the League.
• U.S. reluctance stemmed from a desire to avoid future conflicts and American casualties.
• The League of Nations became weak and ineffective without U.S. support.

Lend-Lease Act (1941)

• Allowed the U.S. to supply arms to Allies, notably Britain, on a lend-lease basis.
• Aimed to assist nations fighting against Axis Powers without direct military involvement.

Differences in Warfare: WWI vs. WWII

• WWI featured static trench warfare with limited mobility and conventional tactics.
• WWII introduced advanced technologies, including nuclear weapons, missiles, and sophisticated covert operations.
• Germany employed Blitzkrieg tactics for rapid, dynamic assaults.

Hitler's Violations of the Treaty of Versailles (1935-1939)

• Implemented compulsory military service and rebuilt the German military.
• Annexed territories like Austria and parts of Czechoslovakia, escalating tensions in Europe.

A. Philip Randolph's Impact

• Organized the March on Washington, advocating for African American rights in defense industries.
• His activism prompted a presidential order for non-discrimination in war-related employment.

Key WWII Events in Chronological Order

• Pearl Harbor → Battle of Midway → D-Day → VE-Day → VJ-Day

Military Campaigns in Western Europe (June 1944 - May 1945)

• Notable battle: The Battle of the Bulge, which marked the last significant German offensive before Allied victory.

U.S. Government Policy on Women in the Workforce during WWII

• Encouraged women's participation in industry, recognizing their critical role on the Home Front.
• Women worked extended shifts in factories, significantly increasing production levels compared to the male-dominated workforce.