Oklahoma Academic Standard 5. The student will analyze the United States role in international affairs by examining the major causes, events and effects of the nation’s involvement in World War II, 1933 to 1946.

Objective 5.1   Describe the transformations in American society and government policy as the nation mobilized for entry into World War II.

  A. Examine the roles of appeasement and isolationism in the United States’ reluctance to respond to Fascist military aggression in Europe and Asia including the Neutrality Acts and the Lend-Lease program. 

  B. Evaluate the industrial mobilization for war and the psychological preparation for war as reflected in President Franklin Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech. 

In a Nutshell

This objective requires students to understand the series of events leading to America’s involvement in World War II. Hoping to avoid foreign entanglements, America tried to create peace agreements among warring nations. However, as the war progressed, America began a Lend-Lease program clearly favoring the Allies. Students should understand the efforts for keeping America out of the war while simultaneously mobilizing for any outcome. Students should examine how and why Roosevelt attempted to prepare the nation for war.

Teacher Action 

Student Action

• Guide students in tracing the continuity of past events leading to America's stance toward involvement in World War II.

• Assist students in analyzing possible consequences of government markets and international trade prior to the war.

• Facilitate students in evaluating the extent to which political and economic decisions have had significant historical and global impact. 

• Use interdisciplinary lenses to gather and evaluate information regarding complex local, regional, and global problems; assess individual and collective actions taken to address such problems.

• Analyze various governmental powers and responsibilities utilized to mobilize the nation for war.

• Construct arguments using a combination of evidence for or against controversial subjects such as confiscation of private property for the war effort. 

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• Four freedoms

• totalitarian state,; Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler

• effects of nationalism; fascism 

• policy  and failure of appeasement

• domestic mobilization of industry, labor force, military installations, weapon production 

• Bracero Program 

• Some students may not realize that although many Americans felt war was inevitable, they still opposed involvement or direct military commitment.

Instructional Resources