US History - Chapter 32

Blitzkrieg

Also known as a "lighting war," a blitzkrieg is a fast-moving warfare used by German forces against Poland in 1939.

December 7, 1941

At 7:55am, December 7th, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

"cash and carry"

Cash and Carry was a policy adopted by the United States in 1939 to preserve neutrality while aiding the Allies. Britain and France could buy goods from the United States if they paid in full and transported them.

Sudeten problem

In Munich in September 1938, Britain and France succumbed to Hitler's demand that Czechoslovakia be dismembered ad the Sudetenland incorporated in the Reich.

Neutrality Act of 1937

In order to keep Americans out of the issues in Spain, Congress passed this act, extending the Neutrality Acts of years prior to countries in civil. It also forbade Americans to travel on the ships of nations at war, and prohibited the arming of US merchant ships trading with those nations. All goods would also have to be traded on a cash and carry basis, if they were allowed to be traded at all.

Munich Conference

Meeting in 1938 between British, French, and German leaders in which Germany was given control of the Sudetenland in exchange for German leader Hitler's promise to make no more claims on European territory.

Poland -September 1939

On September 1st, 1939, Germany attacked Poland and brought the "Long Armistice" to an end.

Wendall Wilkie

Wendell Willkie, a Wall Street lawyer and a life-long Democrat, ran for President against FDR in 1940, and led charge for what would become the United Nations.