WWII

WWII Interwar Foreign Policy

1. Interwar Foreign Policy

   1. Disarmament conferences

   2. Five-Power Treaty (U.S., Britain, Japan, France, Italy) can each hold a largest number of warships by this ratio, 5:5:3:1.67:1.67

   3. Four-Power Treaty (U.S., Britain, France, Japan) agreed to respect each other’s territory in the Pacific

   4. Nine-Power Treaty (Belgium China, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Portugal) agreed to respect the Open Door Policy

   5. Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) - renounced the aggressive use of force to achieve national ends

      1. Ineffective because this 1) allowed defensive wars; 2) failed to take action against violations

   6. Dawes Plan - U.S. plan to lend money to Germany for a cycle of debt reparation

   7. Hoover’s Policies

      1. Latin America - ended interventionist policies (withdrew from Nicaragua by 1933 and from Haiti by 1934)

      2. Stimson Doctrine (1932) - issued by the US. as a result of Japan seizing control of Manchuria from the Chinese. Policy that stated the US government would not recognize territorial gains that Japan acquired through the use of force → Japan is angry

2. Prior to the war, the U.S. passed several neutrality policies (FDR is president)

   1. Neutrality Acts (1935-1937) - made it illegal for Americans to get involved in any way with nations at war

   2. Cash and Carry Policy (1939) - a policy that allowed the sale of goods and/or arms to warring nations as long as the nations paid cash (no loans) and carried the goods and/or arms away on their own ships

   3. Destroyers for Bases Deal - traded destroyers for bases if Britain allowed U.S. to build military bases on British islands in the Caribbean (didn’t want to seem favoring Britain that much, but it was clear that U.S. is on the Allies’ side)

   4. Lend-Lease Act (1941) - FDR wanted to lend all arms to Britain on credit (although America First Committee campaigned against this, public opinion shifted to supporting the war)

Fighting the War

Other Info (Groups and Propaganda)

African Americans:

• African Americans served in segregated units within the military, facing discrimination and limited opportunities for advancement. The Tuskegee Airmen, for example, were an African American fighter pilot group who distinguished themselves in combat despite facing racial prejudice.

• The Double V Campaign emerged within the African American community, advocating for victory over fascism abroad and victory over racism at home. This movement highlighted the contradictions between the fight for freedom abroad and the systemic racism faced by African Americans in the United States.

• On the home front, African Americans migrated from the rural South to urban centers in the North and West to seek employment opportunities in defense industries. This migration contributed to the growth of the African American urban population and led to increased activism for civil rights.

Women:

• In response to the shortage of male labor caused by the war, millions of women entered the workforce, taking on jobs traditionally held by men. This shift was instrumental in sustaining the wartime economy and production.

• The Women's Army Corps (WAC) and the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) were established, allowing women to serve in non-combat roles within the military. Additionally, women served as nurses and support personnel both at home and overseas.

• Rosie the Riveter became a symbol of women's contributions to the war effort, representing the millions of women who worked in factories and shipyards, producing weapons, vehicles, and other supplies vital to the war.

• Despite their contributions, women faced discrimination and unequal treatment in the workplace and the military, highlighting the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

Impact of Propaganda

• Shaped public perception: Propaganda portrayed the Axis powers as evil aggressors threatening American freedom and democracy, rallying public support for the war effort.

• Mobilized support: Propaganda campaigns encouraged Americans to contribute to the war effort through rationing, buying war bonds, and volunteering for military or civilian roles. (ex. Uncle Sam, Rosie the Riveter)

• Fostered nationalism: Propaganda created a sense of unity and nationalism, depicting the United States as the defender of freedom and civilization against totalitarian regimes.

• Demonized the enemy: Propaganda dehumanized the enemy, particularly Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, justifying the necessity of total war and fostering hatred towards them.

• Influenced societal attitudes: Wartime propaganda influenced public attitudes and behaviors, promoting conformity, perpetuating stereotypes, and sometimes fostering discrimination against enemy populations and minority groups.