Based on the Germany and the axis powers' aggressive acts in Europe, the U.S.A. wanted to support the Allies in any way possible while still keeping their neutral position. With this idea in mind, Roosevelt was able to pass the "cash and carry" provision in the Neutrality Act so that the United States was still able to give weapons to the Allies without being part of the war officially. America also boosted its defense spending as Germany and the Axis powers became more and more aggressive in case they made an attack on the United States.
2. Why did Roosevelt take one “unneutral” step after another to assist Britain and the Soviet Union in 1941?
Roosevelt chose to support Britain and the Soviet Union because he wanted to help end the war quickly before America had to get involved. He wanted to take steps that would please the isolationist but also help win the war, which is why these steps were "unneutral" as opposed to acts of war. Roosevelt also considered Hitler an enemy of democracy, so he chose to support anyone who stood against him, including Stalin.
3. Why was the Atlantic Charter important?
The Atlantic Charter was essentially the beginning of the U.S. entering the war. The charter was an agreement between Churchill and Roosevelt essentially saying that the two countries would support each other during wartime. This Charter also led to the Declaration of the United Nations, led 26 countries to officially claim their opposition to the Axis powers.
The U.S. entered into a shooting war against Germany in 1941 because the U-Boats were attacking American Navy and merchant ships. With each attack they were killing more and more people until Roosevelt had no choice but to instruct the Navy to shoot U-Boats on sight. Eventually the senate came around and allowed Merchant ships to be armed as well.
5. How was oil a source of conflict between Japan and the United States?
With Britain busy fighting against Germany, Japan decided to expand its lands into southeast Asia where there were unprotected British colonial lands. The U.S. had to find a non-war method of fighting against this newfound aggression, so they used an embargo on supplies. The most important supply being cut off was oil, and this angered the Japanese. They needed oil for their war machines, so they would either forcefully make the U.S. stop the embargo or seize more land which was oil-bearing.
6. What problem would the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solve for Roosevelt? What new problems would it create?
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor solved the problem of the increasingly popular idea of isolationism in America. With this very obvious attack from an Axis power, Roosevelt finally had good reason to declare war, and reason that the senate would support. However, since Japan made the first attack, it was clear that Roosevelt had to fight in both Europe and the Pacific. In order to do so he needed a larger Navy and Air Force and more infantry for the land battles in Europe.
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