Appeasing the Tyrant

Before the start of the conflicts in WW2, Germany was becoming tyrannical and wanting to take more power over other countries for expansion. Germany was violating the Treaty of Versailles by capturing more territory. Not wanting to go to war, Britain and other countries in Europe let Hitler take over Czechoslovakia and other territories so he got what he wanted and hoping he would stop. These countries were being defensive because they had not fully recovered from WW1. This boosted Hitler confidence in continuing his pursuit of capture since no one was stopping him. 

Staying Neutral

When the conflict of the war started America wanted to stay out of it. A neutrality act was passed 1939 for America to not participate in any conflicts of the war but could still help the Allied powers with supplies. To sell supplies America was on a cash and carry basis which meant the materials were bought from them for cash right on the spot. Further into the war America went to a lend-lease basis. This gave necessities to countries who were deemed as an essential defense for the US.

Japanese on the Move

The expansion of the Japanese was becoming a threat to America. They started expanding around 1890 because they needed more resources for stability. During 1940 the Tripartite Pact was an agreement between the 3 axis powers Germany, Italy, and Japan. This agreement made it to where if one of the other countries were being attacked by a nation not in the war. After a while Japan became the America's top rival.

Pearl Harbor

Japan and America had now become rivals at this point in the war. After the US placed a trade embargo on Japan, The japanese were not happy so they began taking over US territories. They were fearing that America would attack them back so Japan felt the need to attack the US pacific fleet. On December 7th , 1941 Pearl Harbor was attacked. Only one day after America had officially entered the war. 

America's Start in the War

America went straight into preparation and motion after entering the war. All of America was in the efforts of war involving production, distribution, and conservation. Many war vehicles such as planes, and tanks were going to be needed. Certain items were no longer being produced because they were unnecessary. Conserving was the biggest role to success. Many methods of conservation such as victory gardens, carpooling, and rationalization of goods played the key roles for helping the soldiers in war.

Women in the War

World War 2 was much worse compared to World War 1. There was a much more need for supplies and really more of everything. Women played a major role in working in industries all throughout the war. They were vital in the production of things like ammunition, weapons, and all war necessities. Their most important and helpful role was the Red Cross in which roughly 3 million volunteered. However they also served in the armed forces alongside men. This was the beginning for more equality between men and women.

African Americans in the War

African Americans were still struggling in this time period during WW2. They were still facing discrimination. They were believed to not be able to do the same jobs in industries as whites. As a result of this they marched to the White House and demanded to join in on the war effort. This worked and discrimination was banned from industries and they were also allowed to participate in armed forces. However segregation was still present in battle and everything in the war. 

Executive Orders

Many issues were rising in industries. 3/4 of all industries would not hire minorities. There was a march led on Washington by a labor union because of the discrimination in workplaces. This march wasn't coming to an end so president FDR issued an executive order banning all discrimination in defense industries. This was executive order 8802. There was also a problem with people worrying that the US security was at risk because of all of the immigrants in the US. All of these immigrants were arrested in 1941 when America entered the war. They were eventually released but because of the Pearl Harbor attack Japanese immigrants were severely discriminated against. Many of them were moved to internment camps which was an issued order by FDR. This was executive order 9066.