Over There And back again

When Europe went to war in 1914 the United States had no intention of becoming involved. George Washington had advised us against entangling alliances

Historic Isolationism When have we historically been warned to stay out of European affairs? Where do our foreign policy concerns lie? “Peace without victory!”

How did we go from “I Didn’t Raise my Boy to be a Soldier!” to “Over There” and “America Here’s my Boy”?

Wilson’s leadership Shift from isolation to engagement What events led to our declaration of war? What were our main contributions to the war? Fourteen Points Treaty of Versailles negotiations and the League of Nations

Fourteen Points II. Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters, alike in peace and in war, except as the seas may be closed in whole or in part by international action for the enforcement of international covenants. III. The removal, so far as possible, of all economic barriers and the establishment of an equality of trade conditions among all the nations consenting to the peace and associating themselves for its maintenance. IV. Adequate guarantees given and taken that national armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety. V. A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, based upon a strict observance of the principle that in determining all such questions of sovereignty the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable claims of the government whose title is to be determined. XIV. A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike.

Return to Isolationism Rejection of League of Nations Nye Commission The Lost Generation

All Quiet on the Western Front Erich Maria Remarque “This book is to be neither an accusation nor a confession and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped shells were destroyed by the war.”

Fascism

American Neutrality

Isolationism Isolationism 8: :00, 38: : Embargo on arms sales to belligerent nations No US loans to any country at war “cash-and-carry” –Part of Neutrality Act of 1937 –Expired after 2 years –Only France and Britain had capabilities

Europe enters War

“Measures short of war” Neutrality act of 1939 –Lift ban on military armaments –Cash and carry applies to all belligerents Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 “Destroyers-for Bases” –“Vital” for defense of Western hemisphere Lend-Lease Act aka “House Resolution 1776” – Dec.1940 –$50 billion in aid –Laid foundation for post-war economic integration

America First FDR wants war but public and military don’t Pacifists Concerned over centralization of governmental powers Pro-fascists –Anti-Semitic and anti- communists –Propaganda hearings –Strict immigration quotas

“America Next” “Arsenal of Democracy” Atlantic Charter Disavowed territorial expansion, protect human rights and self-determination, new world order and “general security” It publicly affirmed the sense of solidarity between the U.S. and Great Britain. It laid out a Wilsonian-vision for the postwar world Served as an inspiration for colonial subjects throughout the world. US convoys in North Atlantic –Roosevelt dares Germany to bring US into war –Spinach fer BritainSpinach fer Britain

“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy” 8 battleships 200 aircraft 2,400 Americans “back door” entry to war