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Nye Committee Ruling
During a time of American Isolationism arms manufacturers were accused of tricking the United States into entering WWI. In 1934, Senator Gerald P. Nye investigated these allegations. It turned out that arms manufacturers made huge profits by going to war and this made it seem as if they did influence the US to get involved into WWI. -
The Neutrality Acts
Congress passed the Neutrality Act of 1935, which made it illegal for Americans to sell arms to any warring countries. In 1936 the US extended the ban on arms sales but also banned loans to nations at war. The only addition to the Neutrality Act of 1937 was countries had to buy nonmilitary supplies from the US on a cash and carry basis. Meaning they had to send their own ships and pay in cash. Finally the Neutrality act of 1939 permitted the sale of weapons but only on a cash and carry basis. -
Start of WWII
Germany invaded Poland causing Britain and France to declare war on Germany. This officially started WWII. -
Destroyers for Bases
Britain asked US president Roosevelt for old destroyers and instead of using the cash and carry method, Roosevelt founded a loophole and exchanged American destroyers for Britain's bases along the Atlantic. -
Lend-Lease Act
The Lend-Lease Act allowed the United States to sell, loan, or transfer military and other assets to any country considered a necessary part of America's defense. This happened because Britain ran out of resources and Roosevelt still wanted to help them. -
Hemispheric Defense Zone
Because the United States was neutral at the time, Roosevelt could not order the navy to protect British cargo ships from being destroyed by the Germans. Therefore, he developed the idea of a hemispheric defense zone by declaring the western half of the Atlantic was considered neutral. -
Atlantic Charter
Roosevelt and Churchill met to commit both nations to postwar peace. With democracy, free trade, nonaggression, economic advancement, and freedom of the seas. -
Pearl Harbor
Japan attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor. The surprise attack killed thousands of men and destroyed the naval base. This attack ended American Neutrality and they joined the allies in WWII.