Foreign Policy: World War II In 1939, world war broke out in Europe and Asia. The British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, urged the United States to join as an ally against Germany. Churchill told President Franklin D. Roosevelt that Germany’s fascist regime led by Adolf Hitler posed a serious threat to the entire world. But many Americans, after the difficult times of World War I and the Great Depression, believed that the United States should adopt a policy of neutrality and not get involved. During his 1940 re-election campaign, President Roosevelt promised the American people that he would not “send your boys into foreign wars.” Instead, Roosevelt agreed to give military and economic aid to help the British fight Germany. U.S. neutrality came to an abrupt end on December 7, 1941, after Japan bombed U.S. naval ships at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Congress declared war against Japan on December 8th and against Germany, Japan’s ally, on December 11th. Explain the historical context of America during this time. Identify how President FDR and Americans responded to Hitler’s fascist regime. Why did the foreign policy change?

Foreign Policy: World War II In 1939, world war broke out in Europe and Asia. The British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, urged the United States to join as an ally against Germany. Churchill told President Franklin D. Roosevelt that Germany’s fascist regime led by Adolf Hitler posed a serious threat to the entire world. But many Americans, after the difficult times of World War I and the Great Depression, believed that the United States should adopt a policy of neutrality and not get involved. During his 1940 re-election campaign, President Roosevelt promised the American people that he would not “send your boys into foreign wars.” Instead, Roosevelt agreed to give military and economic aid to help the British fight Germany. U.S. neutrality came to an abrupt end on December 7, 1941, after Japan bombed U.S. naval ships at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Congress declared war against Japan on December 8th and against Germany, Japan’s ally, on December 11th. Explain the historical context of America during this time. Identify how President FDR and Americans responded to Hitler’s fascist regime. Why did the foreign policy change?