World War II

Generalization: During the period after World War I, Americans tended to regard that war as a great mistake, and they were determined not to make such a mistake again.  America’s refusal to get involved in foreign conflicts made it seem like the country would forever be a pacifist, isolationist, and even cowardly nation.  World War II showed that this was not quite the case. Comment.

Potential ID’s: NYE COMMISSION, NEUTRALITY ACTS, LEND-LEASE, STALIN, PEARL HARBOR, NORMANDY INVASION, HIROSHIMA

I.    Introduction

II.    Collapse of democracy in Europe and Japan
A.    Russia (Lenin/Stalin)
B.    Italy (Mussolini)
C.    Germany (Hitler)
D.    Japan

III.    Threats to American democracy: an American Fuhrer?
A.    Popular Demagogues: Huey Long, Father Coughlin, Francis Townsend???
B.    Roosevelt?????

IV.    Why America remained free

V.    American isolationism
A.    Nye commission
B.    Neutrality Acts
C.    Japanese expansion/American inaction
D.    Early years of WW II

VI.    1940 Election

VII.    Lend-Lease

VIII.    America finally steps in
A.    Pearl Harbor
B.    End to Axis expansion
C.    Allied advance
1.    Italy
2.    Normandy
3.    Pacific

IX.    The good guys win—sort of