Believe.
Believe short film
[Recorded on November 3rd, 2025 at my high school]
The Selective Service Systems (AKA-The Draft)
-In anticipation of entering WWII, FDR introduced the first peacetime draft.
-The draft extended to all able bodied men between the ages of 18 & 45.
-The Selective Service System (SSS) was set up to oversee the draft for WWII.
-By the end of the war, over 15 M had volunteered or been drafted.
-Fed. Gov. used propaganda to encourage men to enlist in the military. Office of War Information
The End of the Great Depression
Mobilization for WWII brought about an end to the Great Depression.
The draft, along with the shift to a wartime economy, ended unemployment.
With large numbers of workers entering the military, women & minorities filled in the gaps. Great Migration ??
First time women were allowed to work in heavy industry (e.g.-building planes & tanks)
The Fed. Gov. used propaganda to encourage women to support the war effort by working outside the home.
Increasing Tensions between U.S. & Japan
-(1940) After witnessing Germany’s victories in Europe, Japan decides to take annex (aka: take over) countries in SE Asia. Looking for OIL & More space for their PEOPLE
-Japanese using the military to promote/defend national interests. MILITARISM
-FDR reacted by freezing Japanese assets in U.S & placing restrictions on the sale of oil, iron, steel & rubber.
-Without these resources, the entire Japanese economy grinded to a halt.
-U.S offers to restore trade relations if Japan withdraws from SE Asia & China. Japan Refuses.
One step closer to war
(Time-Out) Why did the Japanese need Oil?
-Japan was a modern nation & needed oil to power it’s factories & to fuel it’s engines (e.g-cars. ships,tanks)
-Japan did NOT have any natural oil resources in their own country; so they had to import it. Prior to 1940, oil came through the US
-Japan invades SE Asia (looking for resources) & the U.S. restricts sale of oil. No oil=No industry & No military
-Japan thought they had no choice but to attack Pearl Harbor; they needed oil to survive.
-The Japanese wanted to limit American power in the Pacific.
Pearl Harbor
-The United States wouldn’t sell oil, rubber or machine parts to the Japanese.
-The Japanese invade countries (in SE Asia) looking for resources. Wouldn’t need US
-Japan figured this would bring U.S. into the war, so they decided to attack U.S. first.
-Japan wanted to catch the U.S unprepared & knock them out of the Pacific.
-On Dec. 7th, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the U.S. Pacific Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor.
-The surprise attack destroyed 20 ships & 180 aircrafts. Took the lives of 2,403 Americans
December 7th (1941); a date which will live in infamy
-The attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor was seen as premeditated (aka-planned); it was an ACT OF WAR by the Japanese.
-In response to Pearl Harbor, FDR asks Congress to declare war on Japan on December 8, 1941. REVENGE for the deaths of 2K Americans.
-Germany & Italy; due to their alliance with Japan, declare war on the U.S. 4 days later.
-The U.S. is now fighting a war on two fronts; Europe & the Pacific.
-FDR tells the American people that the US is fighting a war to protect FREEDOM & DEMOCRACY