WWII Questions
1) What was the London Conference and what were it’s ramifications?
2) What were the Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, and 1937? And what were their effects?
3) What happened in Spain and how did American actions effect the outcome?
4) What were the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies and the America First Committee examples of?
5) What did, “better a third term than a third rater” mean?
6) Explain the “Arsenal of Democracy”.
7) What was the Atlantic Charter and what was its importance?
9) How did the War affect industry, give examples?
- The London Economic Conference was a 66-Nation meeting that met to organise a coordinated international attack on the global depression by stabilising the values of currencies and exchange rates. However, FDR pulled America out of the London Economic Conference at the last minute and made the plan a failure.
2) What were the Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, and 1937? And what were their effects?
- (1935)(1936)(1937) When the President proclaimed the existence of a foreign war, no American could legally sail on a belligerent ship, transport munitions to a belligerent, or make loans to a belligerent. This was meant to keep the nation out of conflict.
- (1939) Henceforth European democracies might buy American war materials on a ‘cash and carry’ basis.
3) What happened in Spain and how did American actions effect the outcome?
- General Francisco Franco rose a band of rebels to overthrow the Spanish Government. America attempted to aid the Spanish Government and made an enemy of Franco after his victory.
4) What were the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies and the America First Committee examples of?
- The Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies rallied America to assist the Allied forces, which showed American spirit in WWII even though America was technically an isolationist country.
- The America First Committee shows America's willingness to 'stick their head in the sand' and adopt isolationist policies.
5) What did, “better a third term than a third rater” mean?
- People were hesitant to re-elect FDR and grant him a groundbreaking third term, but they preferred a third term over a not-so-good president, so FDR was re-elected.
6) Explain the “Arsenal of Democracy”.
- Americans believed it was their duty to spread democracy and bring peace to the world. This included protecting other countries from Communist and Fascist threats.
7) What was the Atlantic Charter and what was its importance?
- Eight-point plan formally accepted by Roosevelt and Churchill. Later endorsed by Stalin. Promised no territorial changes contraty to the wishes of inhabitants and the ability to determine their own government (self-determination). Supported disarmament and peace of security and called for a new League of Nations.
- There was a sudden influx in immigrants during the war, especially Poles, Japanese and Jews that were being terrorised by Hitler and his Nazi regime. Americans were not very friendly towards these immigrants.
9) How did the War affect industry, give examples?
- War-torn Europe needed supplies, which America provided. This made American economy rise.