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The Nye Committee ruling
The Nye Committee investigated the financial and banking interests that underpinned the United States' involvement in World War I. The committee's findings suggested that arms manufacturers and bankers had influenced the U.S. decision to enter the war to profit from it, which fueled isolationist sentiments in the years leading up to World War II. -
The Neutrality Acts
The Neutrality Acts, passed by the U.S. Congress in the 1930s, were designed to prevent the United States from being drawn into foreign conflicts by restricting arms sales, loans, and transport of goods to belligerent nations. These laws reflected the strong isolationist sentiment in the country following World War I. -
Hemispheric Defense Zone
The Hemisphere Defense Zone, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, designated the western half of the Atlantic Ocean as a neutral zone, which the U.S. Navy would patrol and defend. This policy aimed to protect the Americas from Axis naval threats and support Allied shipping without directly engaging in the war. -
Start of WWII
World War II when Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland, prompting Britain and France to declare war on Germany. This invasion set off a chain of events that involved multiple countries and led to a global conflict lasting until 1945. -
Destroyers for Bases
The Destroyers for Bases Agreement, between the United States and the United Kingdom, involved the U.S. providing 50 aging destroyers to Britain in exchange for the right to establish military bases on British territories. This deal helped bolster British defenses during World War II while allowing the U.S. to strengthen its strategic positions in the Atlantic. -
Lend-Lease Act
The Lend-Lease Act allowed the United States to supply Allied nations with vital war materials and supplies without immediate payment. This act significantly bolstered the Allies' efforts in World War II while marking a shift away from U.S. neutrality. -
The Atlantic Charter
The Atlantic Charter, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, outlined their vision for a post-World War II world. It emphasized principles such as self-determination, economic cooperation, and collective security, laying the groundwork for the United Nations. -
Pearl Harbor Attack
The Pearl Harbor attack occurred when the Japanese military launched a surprise aerial assault on the U.S. naval base in Hawaii. This devastating attack led to significant American casualties and damage, prompting the United States to enter World War II.