World War II, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—eventually formed two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. In a state of total war, directly involving more than 100 million personnel from more than 30 countries, the major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, blurring the distinction between civilian and military resources.
World War II was the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 50 to 85 million fatalities, most of whom were civilians in the Soviet Union and China. Tens of millions of people died due to genocides (including the Holocaust), premeditated death from starvation, massacres, and disease. Aircraft played a major role in the conflict, including in the strategic bombing of population centers, the development of nuclear weapons, and the only two uses of such in war.
In the United States, the president during World War II was Franklin D. Roosevelt. He served from 1933 to 1945 and was the only president to be elected to more than two terms.
who was president during world war 2
Franklin D. Roosevelt, United States president during WWII.
- Served from 1933 to 1945
- Only president elected to more than two terms
- Led the United States through World War II
- Signed the Lend-Lease Act
- Established the Manhattan Project
- Died in office in 1945
Roosevelt's leadership during World War II is widely credited with helping to secure an Allied victory. He died in office in 1945, just months before the war ended.
Served from 1933 to 1945
Franklin D. Roosevelt was first elected president of the United States in 1932. He took office in the midst of the Great Depression, and his New Deal programs helped to provide relief, recovery, and reform to the American people.
Roosevelt was re-elected in 1936, 1940, and 1944. He is the only president to have served more than two terms, and his presidency is often considered to be one of the most consequential in American history.
During World War II, Roosevelt led the United States through its greatest military conflict. He signed the Lend-Lease Act, which provided military aid to Allied countries, and he established the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb.
Roosevelt died in office in April 1945, just weeks before the end of the war. He was succeeded by Harry S. Truman.
Roosevelt's leadership during World War II is widely credited with helping to secure an Allied victory. He was a strong and decisive leader who was able to rally the American people behind the war effort. He also worked closely with Allied leaders, such as Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin, to coordinate the war effort.
Only president elected to more than two terms
The 22nd Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1951, limits the president to two terms in office. However, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to four terms, serving from 1933 to 1945.
Roosevelt was first elected in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression. He won re-election in 1936, 1940, and 1944. His presidency is often considered to be one of the most consequential in American history.
There are a number of reasons why Roosevelt was able to win four terms in office. First, he was a very popular president. He was seen as a strong and decisive leader who was able to help the country through the Great Depression and World War II.
Second, Roosevelt was able to take advantage of the fact that the Republican Party was divided during his time in office. In 1940, the Republican Party nominated Wendell Willkie, a moderate Republican, for president. However, Willkie was unable to unite the party, and Roosevelt won re-election by a landslide.
Roosevelt's four terms in office had a profound impact on the United States. He helped to lead the country out of the Great Depression and to victory in World War II. He also signed into law a number of important pieces of legislation, including the Social Security Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Led the United States through World War II
Franklin D. Roosevelt led the United States through World War II, the deadliest conflict in human history. Roosevelt was a strong and decisive leader who was able to rally the American people behind the war effort. He also worked closely with Allied leaders, such as Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin, to coordinate the war effort.
One of Roosevelt's most important contributions to the war effort was his decision to sign the Lend-Lease Act in 1941. This act allowed the United States to provide military aid to Allied countries, even though the United States was not yet officially at war.
Roosevelt also established the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb. The atomic bomb was used to end the war in the Pacific, and it is widely credited with saving countless lives.
In addition to his leadership on the home front, Roosevelt also played a key role in the Allied victory in Europe. He met with Churchill and Stalin at a number of conferences, including the Tehran Conference in 1943 and the Yalta Conference in 1945. At these conferences, the Allied leaders agreed on a strategy for defeating Germany and Japan.
Roosevelt's leadership during World War II is widely credited with helping to secure an Allied victory. He was a strong and decisive leader who was able to rally the American people behind the war effort. He also worked closely with Allied leaders to coordinate the war effort.
Signed the Lend-Lease Act
The Lend-Lease Act was a law passed by the United States Congress in 1941 that allowed the United States to provide military aid to Allied countries during World War II. The act was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 11, 1941.
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Provided military aid to Allied countries
The Lend-Lease Act allowed the United States to provide military aid to Allied countries, even though the United States was not yet officially at war. This aid included weapons, ammunition, food, and other supplies.
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Did not require repayment
The Lend-Lease Act did not require Allied countries to repay the United States for the aid they received. This was a significant departure from previous American policy, which had required countries to pay for military aid.
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Helped to turn the tide of the war
The Lend-Lease Act played a major role in helping to turn the tide of the war in favor of the Allies. The aid provided by the United States helped to strengthen Allied forces and allowed them to fight more effectively against the Axis powers.
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Strengthened the relationship between the United States and its Allies
The Lend-Lease Act helped to strengthen the relationship between the United States and its Allies. The act demonstrated the United States' commitment to helping its allies defeat the Axis powers.
The Lend-Lease Act was a major turning point in World War II. It allowed the United States to provide much-needed aid to its Allies, which helped to turn the tide of the war in favor of the Allies. The act also helped to strengthen the relationship between the United States and its Allies.
Established the Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a top-secret research and development project that produced the first atomic bombs during World War II. The project was established by the United States government in 1942, and it was led by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.
The Manhattan Project was one of the most ambitious and expensive scientific undertakings in history. It employed over 130,000 people at its peak, and it cost over $2 billion (equivalent to $26 billion in 2021). The project was also shrouded in secrecy, and its existence was not publicly acknowledged until after the war.
The Manhattan Project was a success. On July 16, 1945, the first atomic bomb was detonated at the Trinity test site in New Mexico. Two weeks later, atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These bombings led to the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II.
The Manhattan Project had a profound impact on the world. It ushered in the nuclear age, and it raised serious questions about the ethics of using nuclear weapons.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt played a key role in the establishment of the Manhattan Project. He was the one who authorized the project and provided the funding for it. Roosevelt was also kept informed of the project's progress, and he was the one who made the final decision to use atomic bombs against Japan.
Died in office in 1945
Franklin D. Roosevelt died in office on April 12, 1945, just weeks before the end of World War II. He was 63 years old.
Roosevelt had been in poor health for some time. He had suffered from high blood pressure and heart disease for many years. In 1944, he was diagnosed with polio, which left him partially paralyzed.
Despite his health problems, Roosevelt continued to work long hours. He was determined to lead the United States to victory in World War II. However, the strain of the war took a toll on his health. In April 1945, he suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage and died.
Roosevelt's death was a major blow to the United States and to the Allied cause. He was a beloved leader who had guided the country through some of its darkest days. His death came at a time when the war was still raging, and it cast a pall over the celebrations that followed the Allied victory.
Roosevelt's death also had a profound impact on the course of American history. He was succeeded by Harry S. Truman, who had very different views on domestic and foreign policy. Truman's presidency was marked by the Cold War, the Korean War, and the civil rights movement. It is impossible to say for sure how Roosevelt would have handled these challenges, but his death undoubtedly changed the course of American history.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Franklin D. Roosevelt, the president of the United States during World War II:
Question 1: When was Franklin D. Roosevelt president?
Answer 1: Franklin D. Roosevelt was president of the United States from 1933 to 1945.
Question 2: How many terms did Franklin D. Roosevelt serve?
Answer 2: Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms as president. He is the only president to have served more than two terms.
Question 3: What was Franklin D. Roosevelt's role in World War II?
Answer 3: Franklin D. Roosevelt led the United States through World War II. He signed the Lend-Lease Act, which provided military aid to Allied countries. He also established the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb.
Question 4: What was the Lend-Lease Act?
Answer 4: The Lend-Lease Act was a law passed by the United States Congress in 1941 that allowed the United States to provide military aid to Allied countries during World War II. The act did not require Allied countries to repay the United States for the aid they received.
Question 5: What was the Manhattan Project?
Answer 5: The Manhattan Project was a top-secret research and development project that produced the first atomic bombs during World War II. The project was established by the United States government in 1942, and it was led by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Question 6: When did Franklin D. Roosevelt die?
Answer 6: Franklin D. Roosevelt died in office on April 12, 1945, just weeks before the end of World War II. He was 63 years old.
Question 7: Who succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt as president?
Answer 7: Franklin D. Roosevelt was succeeded by Harry S. Truman as president.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Franklin D. Roosevelt, the president of the United States during World War II. Roosevelt was a complex and controversial figure, but he is widely considered to be one of the most important presidents in American history.
In addition to the information provided in the FAQ, here are some additional tips for learning more about Franklin D. Roosevelt and his presidency:
Tips
Here are some tips for learning more about Franklin D. Roosevelt and his presidency:
Tip 1: Visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum is located in Hyde Park, New York. It is the largest presidential library in the United States, and it houses a vast collection of documents, artifacts, and exhibits related to Roosevelt's life and presidency.
Tip 2: Read books and articles about Franklin D. Roosevelt.
There are many excellent books and articles available about Franklin D. Roosevelt. Some popular choices include "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" by Edmund Morris, "Franklin Delano Roosevelt" by Jean Edward Smith, and "FDR" by David M. Kennedy.
Tip 3: Watch documentaries about Franklin D. Roosevelt.
There are also a number of documentaries available about Franklin D. Roosevelt. Some popular choices include "The Roosevelts: An Intimate History" by Ken Burns, "FDR: A Presidency Revealed" by David Grubin, and "The Great Depression and the New Deal" by Ric Burns.
Tip 4: Visit historic sites associated with Franklin D. Roosevelt.
There are a number of historic sites associated with Franklin D. Roosevelt that are open to the public. These sites include the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia, the FDR Home and Museum in Hyde Park, New York, and the Campobello International Park in New Brunswick, Canada.
Closing Paragraph for Tips:
These are just a few tips for learning more about Franklin D. Roosevelt and his presidency. By following these tips, you can gain a deeper understanding of one of the most important presidents in American history.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was a complex and controversial figure, but he is widely considered to be one of the most important presidents in American history. His leadership during the Great Depression and World War II helped to shape the United States into the nation it is today.
Conclusion
Franklin D. Roosevelt was a complex and controversial figure, but he is widely considered to be one of the most important presidents in American history. His leadership during the Great Depression and World War II helped to shape the United States into the nation it is today.
Roosevelt was born into a wealthy family in Hyde Park, New York, in 1882. He graduated from Harvard University and Columbia Law School, and he served in the New York State Senate before being elected president in 1932.
Roosevelt took office at a time of great economic crisis. The Great Depression had caused widespread unemployment and poverty. Roosevelt responded to the crisis with a series of programs known as the New Deal. The New Deal helped to provide relief, recovery, and reform to the American people.
In 1941, the United States entered World War II. Roosevelt led the country through the war, and he played a key role in the Allied victory. He also signed the Lend-Lease Act, which provided military aid to Allied countries, and he established the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb.
Roosevelt died in office in 1945, just weeks before the end of the war. He is the only president to have served more than two terms.
Roosevelt's legacy is complex and controversial. He is praised for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II, but he is also criticized for his use of executive power and for his internment of Japanese Americans during the war.
Despite the controversies, Roosevelt is widely considered to be one of the greatest presidents in American history. He was a strong and decisive leader who helped to lead the country through some of its darkest days.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was a remarkable man who left a lasting impact on the United States. His leadership during the Great Depression and World War II helped to shape the nation into what it is today. We can learn a lot from his example of courage, determination, and compassion.