World War II

World War II

As totalitarian sates emerged into power, the United States got involved with World War II to help control these groups and to promote democracy in the European theatre of the world. The party with the most power at the time was the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler. This socialist party was led by a powerful dictator who broke away from the League of Nations and began to conquer vast amounts of territory at a fast rate. The United States wanted to leave foreign affairs alone in fear of another world war. The United States could not avoid the fact Hitler was taking over Europe and help was needed. The United States became fully involved in the European theatre of World War II when Hitler led his armies on a series of blitzkrieg's, taking over Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Holland, northern France, and by breaking the Nazi-Soviet pact.

The United States, under the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, wanted to remain neutral and wanted to stay out of foreign affairs. People like Lindbergh strongly opposed any aid to foreign affairs, but Roosevelt felt American security and Democracy was in jeopardy if no help was given. As Hitler began his campaigns in Europe, especially in Poland, the United States sent aid to France and Britain to resist the Nazi's. Germany defeated Poland and easily took over weaker countries, sometimes without

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firing a single shot as in Czechoslovakia. The United States remained neutral but slowly progressed in aiding to the war. The United States could not overlook the powerful Nazi party and its unlawful attacks. The land established by World War I was slowly being transformed to its original state.

The war progressed as the Nazi party took over Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Holland, and France on a series of blitzkriegs. No country could hold up to the power of the Nazi's. The French tried to fight, but proved no match for Hitler's Army. Roosevelt wanted to expand aiding to the Allies, but public support was hard to gain. He said, "We must be the great arsenal of democracy." Congress approved a Lend-Lease Act which put the United States at an economic warfare against Germany. Tensions ran high when the American freighter Robert Moor was sank by a German U-boat off the coast of Africa (Roark 644). Roosevelt then issued a "shoot on sight" policy for escort