- On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
- The attack resulted in the destruction or damage of several American warships, aircraft, and military installations.
- It also led to the deaths of thousands of American servicemen and civilians.
- In the aftermath of the attack, the United States declared war on Japan, officially entering World War II.
2) Germany's Declaration of War:
- Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Nazi Germany declared war on the United States on December 11, 1941.
- This action was a direct response to the United States' entry into the war against Japan.
3) Roosevelt's "Four Freedoms" Speech:
- In January 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his "Four Freedoms" speech to Congress.
- In this speech, Roosevelt outlined four fundamental freedoms that he believed all people should enjoy:
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of worship
- Freedom from want
- Freedom from fear
- Roosevelt's speech helped to rally support for American involvement in the war and contributed to the United States' decision to enter World War II.
4) The Lend-Lease Act:
- In March 1941, the United States passed the Lend-Lease Act, which allowed the country to provide military aid to Allied nations during World War II.
- The United States provided billions of dollars worth of military equipment, food, and other supplies to Allied countries, including Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and China.
- The Lend-Lease Act helped to strengthen the Allied cause and played a role in the United States' decision to enter the war.
5) The Atlantic Charter:
- In August 1941, Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill met in Newfoundland and issued the Atlantic Charter.
- The Atlantic Charter outlined the principles that would guide the Allied nations in the post-war world, including the right to self-determination for all peoples.
- The Atlantic Charter helped to further solidify the relationship between the United States and Great Britain and contributed to the United States' decision to enter World War II.