Chapter 35B Homework Sheet

The Rise of Dictators and War Begins in Europe

Read pg. 816-825 (Start at The Fall of France)

Note Card IDs:

Identify and state the historical significance: Phony War, Battle of Britain, Destroyer
Deal (1940), Lend-Lease, Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact in 1939, Atlantic Charter, Pearl
Harbor

Questions to Answer in Notebook:

1

What finally sparked the Americans to begin to take some action in preparation against the
aggressive dictators of Europe? What actions did Congress take? (pg 817)
The fall of France posed a threat of complete Nazi domination. Thus, Congress began
spending lot of money (37 billion), began to reach out to the neighbors for help with the Monroe
doctrine, and the conscription law for a peacetime draft.
2. How did FDRs policies towards Britain reflect an isolationist policy? How does it reflect a
growing involvement in the conflict?
FDR tried to stay out of conflicts. He supported Britain with trade of arms so long as it was
neutral and occurred for both Britain and other nations. However, as time went on, the US began to
only support the democracies and upped its contributions. Finally, FDR granted the 50 battleships
to GB and informally lended its support to GB.
3. Why did voters ultimately allow FDR to win a 3rd term election, despite claims of his growing
dictatorship or that he broke the 2 term tradition?
The voters claimed they needed the support and leadership of such an esteemed experience
leader in wartime.
4. Why did Roosevelt instill the lend-lease policy rather than Britain buying weapons/supplies? How
was FDRs view of lend-lease different from those of his opponents? Which perspective do you
agree with?
FDR wanted to support the democracies in Europe, but he didnt want to outright support
the war. Therefore instead of selling weapons it would appear as if it was just a helping hand. He
did not want to get into war. His opponents thought ahead and claimed no weapons would be
returned and that it would look the same. I think that FDRs policy was quite ingenious. However, it
obviously did not work when the Germans took this as a threat anyway.
5. What were the effects of lend-lease both on the war and at home?
The lend-lease was accepted by many Americans as being a good idea and was supported by
man. However, on the warfront, it failed to stop German aggression from extending to the US.
Hitler simply took this as a war threat and began attacking US ships without restriction.

6. What was outlined in the Atlantic Charter?

The Atlantic Charter outlined the goals of democracy after the war. It wanted not only to
keep democracy save, but it actually attempted to prevent post-war hostilities as was prominent
following WWI. This was an attempt to prevent another war like they had caused previously.
7. What effect did the US embargo on gas to Japan in 1940 have on Japan?
This led to Japan seeing the US as a potential enemy. The US was restricting the livelihood
the Japanese and was almost a direct threat to Japan. Seeing as there would be either the option
to side with the US or the Axis, it helped push Japan to attack the US at Pearl Harbor.
8. What detriments did the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor have? What positive effects did it
have on America?
The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in countless lives lost and ships sunk. It would take a
reasonably long time to rebuild. But the US rebounded in a complete union against Japan and the
Axis. There was little opposition to war after this direct attack.