WWII Part 1: CCUSH #35

According to this episode, what events shaped Americans' opinion on foreign policy prior to WWII?

• The Great Depression

• World War I

• The Civil War

• The Good Neighbor Policy

Answer explanation

The events that shaped Americans' opinion on foreign policy prior to WWII were primarily the Great Depression and World War I. The Great Depression caused economic hardship and isolationist sentiments, while the aftermath of World War I led to a desire to avoid foreign entanglements. The Good Neighbor Policy also played a role, but it was a response to these sentiments, not a cause.

The period between World War I and World War II is often seen as an age of

• isolationism.

• intervention.

• entanglement.

• optimism.

Answer explanation

The period between World War I and World War II is often seen as an age of isolationism. This is because, during this time, many countries, particularly the United States, adopted policies of isolationism to avoid involvement in foreign conflicts. This was a reaction to the devastating effects of World War I. The other options, intervention, entanglement, and optimism, do not accurately describe this historical period.

Which of the following are examples of America not being as isolationist as some portray?

• America's role in the Washington Naval Treaties.

• America's entry into the League of Nations.

• America's pursuit of the Good Neighbor Policy in South America.

• America's greater role in world trade.

Answer explanation

The question asks for instances where America was not as isolationist as often depicted. America's role in the Washington Naval Treaties, its pursuit of the Good Neighbor Policy in South America, and its increased involvement in world trade are all examples of this. However, America did not join the League of Nations, which would have been a significant step away from isolationism.

Which of Congress's actions reinforced the idea of American isolationism prior to WWII?

• The Neutrality Acts

• The Lend-Lease Act

• The Cash & Carry Policy

• All of the above

Answer explanation

The Neutrality Acts were a series of laws passed by Congress in the 1930s to keep the United States out of future wars, reinforcing the idea of American isolationism prior to WWII. These acts prohibited the sale of arms or loans to nations at war, reflecting the U.S.'s desire to avoid entanglement in foreign conflicts.

Which group, including many prominent Americans like Charles Lindbergh, encouraged America to remain neutral in European affairs?

• The America First Committee

• The Keep America Great Committee

• The Tea Party

• Empire of Liberty

Answer explanation

The America First Committee was a group that included prominent Americans like Charles Lindbergh, who advocated for American neutrality in European affairs. They believed that the United States should focus on its own interests and avoid becoming entangled in foreign conflicts. This stance was particularly relevant during the lead-up to World War II, as the group opposed U.S. involvement in the war.

In 1940, Congress allowed the U.S. to support the British War effort through which assistance program, provided that the British paid cash and transported the arms from the U.S. to the U.K.?

• The Neutrality Acts

• The Lend Lease Act

• The Cash & Carry Policy

• All of the above

Answer explanation

The correct answer is the Cash & Carry Policy. In 1940, Congress allowed the U.S. to support the British War effort through this program, which required the British to pay cash and transport the arms from the U.S. to the U.K. The Neutrality Acts and the Lend Lease Act were not the assistance programs in question.

In 1941, for the first time in its history, the U.S. began what in preparation for war?

• Military draft.

• Rationing for the military.

• Government control of industry.

• Social programs to stabilize rent and other social services.

Answer explanation

In 1941, the U.S. initiated the military draft for the first time in its history in preparation for war. This was a significant step as it allowed the U.S. to rapidly expand its armed forces. The other options, such as rationing for the military, government control of industry, and social programs, while important, were not the first steps taken by the U.S. in preparation for war.

America became the "arsenal of democracy" with which act that authorized military aid to countries, promising to pay it back after the war?

• The Neutrality Acts

• The Lend Lease Act

• The Cash & Carry Policy

• All of the above

Answer explanation

The Lend Lease Act is the correct answer. This act, passed during World War II, allowed the United States to provide military aid to foreign countries. The countries would promise to repay the U.S. after the war, thus making America the 'arsenal of democracy'. The other options, The Neutrality Acts and The Cash & Carry Policy, do not fit the description given in the question.

What event fully pushed America into WWII?

• The Japanese surprise attack at Pearl Harbor.

• The declaration of war on the United States by Adolf Hitler.

• The declaration of war on the United States by Benito Mussolini.

• The Zimmerman Telegram.

Answer explanation

The event that fully pushed America into WWII was the Japanese surprise attack at Pearl Harbor. This unexpected military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941, led to the United States' formal entry into World War II the next day.

Until 1944, which theater of WWII had more American servicemen deployed to it?

• The Pacific theater.

• The European theater.

Answer explanation

Until 1944, more American servicemen were deployed to the Pacific theater of WWII than the European theater. This was due to the U.S.'s initial focus on the Pacific War following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which led to a greater military presence in this region.