Prior to Pearl Harbor, what steps did the USA take to become involved in World W

Question: Prior to Pearl Harbor, what steps did the USA take to become involved in World War II!?
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Officially none!. But I suppose that Hitler thought that our Lend-Lease program in which we gave the British warships in return for American control of British colonies in the Caribbean constituted an act of war by us against him!. The Japanese thought that our embargo on the sale of oil to Japan in response to the Japanese invasion of mainland China was an act of war by the United States!. Many Americans also served in the Royal Air Force and the Chinese Air Force prior to Pearl Harbor in violation of our official neutrality and despite protests by both German and Japan about this the American government did nothing to punish these "private citizens"!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The US took diplomatic steps to protect China from Japanese aggression, Sec of State Stimpson trying to force the Japanese Government to reign in the rouge Kwantung Army in early 1932!. This army was manufacturing 'incidents' in Manchuria to justify deeper invasions, and as part of a conspiracy in the Japanese army to destroy civilian control of government and take absolute power in the name of the Emperor!. Unfortunately, severe economic shocks prevented Japanese actions receiveing the attention they should have!. Ultimately, US trade embargoes left Japan with the choice of either stopping her massive armaments program, or commencing war against the Western powers!.

The US was working hard to keep France and Britain afloat by the sale of arms, and with loans!. Today, we sell wepaons to anyone at all, however evil, but back then it was a more political act!. This was because Hitler and Stalin did business in direct exchange/barter, which was a big threat to the US banking system!. So Roosevelt had to prop up the Western powers despite America's determination to be isolated!.

Many US actions were ad hoc- such as providing security for her shipping (to Britain) hear the US coast, freeing up British naval units, or allowing British ships to be repaired in the US!. Britian was in financial crisis in 1940/41 and the US made loan terms easier!.

The US began re-arming in the late 1930s and by the time she joined the war in December 1941 her armed forces were modernised and much larger and more efficient than they were even 18 months before!. also, huge armaments factory complexes had been built up, such as the Detroit tank factory and aircraft factories in Dallas, Inglewood and Seattle!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

None!. The US wanted very much to stay out of the war, so did not align itself with anyone!. As far as Lend-Lease goes, that was strictly a business arrangement!. There was no lending about it!. Great Britain had to pay for every penny of goods she received, and in fact, continued on a very austere program of living until well into the 50s (rationing and all) to pay it back!. Meanwhile, the US was helping Germany rebuild!. Seems strange that they helped the aggressors but didn't extend their charity to the defenders of the free world, which Britain most definitely was!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Nothing really!. We just tried our best to stay out but of course we were pulled back in and we had to fight!. When American ships were sunk, we had to take action even though it wasn't supposed to lead to war!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

None apart from trying to protect their own shipping from U-boats although at one time Esso tankers were refuelling U-boats in mid Atlantic!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Set the japanensese houses on fireWww@QuestionHome@Com