544 - Reading Comprehension

Passage 11:The establishment of the third Reich influenced events in American history by starting a chain of events which culminated in war between Germany and the United States. The complete destruction of democracy, the persecution of laws, the war on religion, the cruelty and barrbarism of the Nazis and especially, the plans of Germany and her allies, Italy and Japan, for world conquest caused great indignation in this country and brought on fear of another world war. While speaking out against Hitler's atrocities, the American profile generally favored isolationist policies, and neutrality. The neutrality acts of 1935 and 1936 prohibited trade with any belligerents or loans to them. In 1937 the president was empowered to declare an arms embargo in wars between nations at his discretion American opinion began to change somewhat after President Roosevelt's quarantine the aggvessor speech at Chicago (1937) in which he severely criticized Hitler's policies. Germany's seizure of Austria and Munich pact for the partition of Czechoslovakia (1938) also around the American people. The conquest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 was another rude awakening to the menace of the third Reich. In August, 1939, came the shock of the Nazi - Soviet pact and in September the attack on Poland and the outbreak of European war. The United States attempt to maintain neutrality in spite of sympathy for the democracies arranged against the Third Reich. The Neutrality act of 1939 repeated the arms embargo and permitted 'cash' and 'carry' exports of arms to belligerent nations. A strong national defense program was begun. A draft act was passed (1940) to strengthen the military services. A Lend - Lease Act (1940) authorized the president to sell, exchange or lend materials to any county deemed necessary by him for the defense of the United States. Help was given to Britain territory in the western Hemisphere. In August 1941, President Roosevelt and prime minister Churchill met and issued the Atlantic Charter which proclaimed the kind of a world which should be established after the war. In December 1941, Japan launched the unprovoked attack on the United States at Pearl harbor, immediately thereafter Germany declared war on the united states.

Question 1: USA entered the war against Germany

1. because Pearl Harbor was attacked
2. after peaceful efforts had failed
3. because Germany declare war against it
4. because Japan was an ally of Germany
5. after Germany had signed the Nazi - Soviet pact

Question 2: The Neutrality Act of 1939 favored Great Britain because

1. the British had command of the sea
2. the law permitted U.S.A. to trade only with the allies.
3. it antagonized Japan
4. it led to the Land - Lease Act
5. it agreed with the British on the principle of the Atlantic Charter

Question 3: An event that did not occur in 1939 was the

1. invasion of Poland
2. invasion of Czechoslovakia
3. passing of the Neutrality Act
4. passing of the Land - Lease act
5. outbreak of the war in Europe

Question 4: One item occurring 1937 that the author does not mention in the list of actions that alienated the American Public was

1. The persecution of religious groups
2. Nazi barbarism
3. The pacts with Italy
4. German plans for conquest of the world
5. The burning of the Reich tag

Question 5: The Land - Lease Act has designed to

1. Strengthen USA's national defense
2. Provide battle shit to the Allies
3. Help the British
4. the Atlantic Charter
5. Avenge Pearl Harbor

Question 6: The Neutrality Act of 1939

1. restated America's isolationist policies
2. proclaimed American neutrality
3. permitted the selling of arms to belligerent nation
4. was cause of USA's entrances in to WORLD WAR II
5. started USA's national defense programs

Question 7: During the years 1933-36, American policy may be described as having been

1. watchful
2. isolationist
3. pacific
4. incorrect
5. discretionary