America & World War II

PART I: Pres. Roosevelt Reacts to WWII

Go to this website to read President Roosevelt's “On the European War” – Sunday, September 3, 1939

1. What is the significance of the date FDR gave this speech?

2. What are some of the reasons that FDR encourages the cause of peace?

3. FDR encourages Americans to believe in the cause of peace in his speech.

• What are some of his reasons to support peace?
• Despite his call for peace, why can’t Americans just ignore the war in Europe?

4. Why is national unity so important for the American people to practice during the war (even though they aren’t part of the fighting)?

PART II: American Propaganda

Next go to this website to learn about American propaganda at the beginning of World War II.

1. What was the purpose of early American propaganda from 1939-1941, before the United States entered WWII?

2. Pick three (3) of the posters and click to enlarge their image. For each poster, complete these three tasks:

• Write the main slogan.
• Describe the people and/or visuals.
• What message the reader can find in the poster.