Unit 3: America as a Leader

Study the political cartoon showing two images of Uncle Sam. One side shows Uncle Sam wearing a sign that says "PEACE ON EARTH GOODWILL TOWARD MEN". The other side shows Uncle Sam wearing a sign that says "WAR AMMUNITION FOR SALE ORDERS FILLED PROMPTLY". According to the political cartoon, what statement BEST summarizes America’s policy prior to our involvement in World War II?

• The U.S. wanted to fight its allies.

• The U.S. wanted to begin helping its allies immediately.

• The U.S. wanted no involvement with the war in Europe.

• The U.S. wanted to remain neutral but sell war-time supplies to its allies.

Answer explanation

The cartoon contrasts peace and war, indicating that while the U.S. promoted peace, it also engaged in selling war supplies, reflecting a policy of neutrality while supporting allies economically.

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5.3.CO

The rise of fascist dictators in which of the following countries led to tensions with world democratic nations? Select all that apply.

• Germany

• Italy

• Japan

• Switzerland

Answer explanation

The rise of fascist dictators in Germany, Italy, and Japan during the early 20th century created significant tensions with democratic nations, as these regimes pursued aggressive expansionist policies and undermined democratic values.

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5.3.CO

Study the newspaper headline dated December 7th, 1941, which reads "WAR! Pearl Harbor Attacked". This headline led to which of the following?

• The United States began to help Britain with war supplies.

• The United States’ economy quickly recovered from the Great Depression.

• President Roosevelt asked the United States Congress to declare war on Japan.

• President Roosevelt asked the United States Congress to declare war on Italy and Germany.

Answer explanation

The headline "WAR! Pearl Harbor Attacked" on December 7, 1941, prompted President Roosevelt to ask Congress to declare war on Japan, marking the U.S. entry into World War II.

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5.3.CO

Read the list below.

• Great Britain
• France
• Soviet Union
• United States

What is the BEST title for this list?

• Allies During World War II

• Enemies During World War II

• Countries Attacked by Japan

• Countries Invaded by Germany

Answer explanation

The list includes Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States, all of which were part of the Allies during World War II. Therefore, the best title for this list is 'Allies During World War II'.

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5.3.CO

5.3.CE

Because of Hitler’s anti-Jewish laws, which of these occurred?

• The Axis Powers joined together as allies.

• The Holocaust began, killing over six million Jews.

• Hitler decided to invade Poland to gain more power.

• Supplies, like rubber and gas, needed to be rationed.

Answer explanation

Hitler's anti-Jewish laws led directly to the Holocaust, a systematic genocide that resulted in the deaths of over six million Jews, marking one of history's darkest periods.

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5.3.CE

Due to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and Japan’s alliance with the Axis Powers, how were Japanese-Americans treated during World War II?

• They were deported back to Japan.

• They were left alone to live life as usual.

• They were rounded up and placed in internment camps.

• They were praised for having moved to the United States.

Answer explanation

Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japanese-Americans faced severe discrimination and were rounded up and placed in internment camps due to fears of espionage, despite many being loyal citizens.

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5.3.CE

Why were the “Tuskegee Airmen” important in U.S. history?

• They dropped the atomic bombs that ended WWII.

• They were created as a result of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

• They unsuccessfully defended American airspace from the Nazi air forces.

• They showed that African Americans could fight as well as white troops.

Answer explanation

The Tuskegee Airmen were significant because they demonstrated that African Americans could perform as effectively as white troops in combat, challenging racial stereotypes and paving the way for integration in the military.

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5.3.CE

Read the letter below and answer the question that follows.

COPY 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, S.W. 1. PRIVATE 13 July, 1944 My dear Henry, You wrote to me on 1 July about the German plans for the massacre of the Hungarian Jews. I have forwarded your letter to the Foreign Secretary and fear that I can add nothing to the statement he made in the House on 5 July in replying to Silverman's Question. There is no doubt in my mind that we are in the presence of one of the greatest and most horrible crimes ever committed. It has been done by scientific machinery by nominally civilized men in the name of a great state and one of the leading races of Europe. I need not assure you that the situation has received and will receive the most earnest consideration from my colleagues and myself but, as the Foreign Secretary said, the principal hope of terminating it must remain the speedy victory of the Allied Nations. Yours sincerely, (sd) WINSTON S. CHURCHILL The Lord Melchett.

To which significant World War II event does it refer?

• The bombing at Pearl Harbor

• The Holocaust across Europe

• The dropping of the atomic bombs

• The D-day invasion of Normandy

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5.3.CE

5.3.P

Why did U.S. citizens approve of the Lend-Lease Act?

• Most Americans did not approve of the Lend-Lease Act.

• The Lend-Lease Act would help the Axis defeat the Allies.

• The Lend-Lease Act would charge Allies money for lending equipment to improve the U.S. economy.

• The Lend-Lease Act gave the Allies war supplies to keep fighting without the U.S. having to send its own troops.

Answer explanation

U.S. citizens approved the Lend-Lease Act because it provided war supplies to the Allies, allowing them to continue fighting without requiring American troops to be deployed, thus supporting the war effort indirectly.

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5.3.P

Why did the U.S. pass the Neutrality Act of the 1930s?

• To offer help to Great Britain

• To show support for all sides

• To lend war supplies to the Allies

• To prevent the U.S. from becoming involved in the war

Answer explanation

The U.S. passed the Neutrality Act of the 1930s primarily to prevent involvement in foreign conflicts, aiming to keep the nation out of the escalating tensions and wars in Europe.

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