In the years 1935-1938, a series of aggressive actions by Fascist dictatorships made democratic governments in Britain and France extremely nervous. The Road to World War II “The epidemic of world lawlessness is spreading. When an epidemic of physical disease starts to spread, the community approves and joins in a quarantine of the patients in order to protect the health of the community against the spread of the disease…there must be positive endeavors to preserve peace.”

FDR “Traveling Salesman for Peace” Economic isolationism from Europe London Conference Freedom from American imperialism Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934 “Good Neighbor” policy Cuba Haiti Panama Mexico – a true test! Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act of 1934 by Secretary of State Cordell Hull Lowered tariff rates “Trade wars beget shooting wars.”

Spain Led a fascist rebel group of Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) Received munitions and soldiers from Italy and Germany Republicans were covertly supported by Stalin and openly by Mexico An indicator of growing European instability prior to WWII

Fascism and Aggressive Militarism Italy Fascists rise to power – war veterans, nationalists, and those fearing Communism, under Mussolini Fascism defined: the idea that people should glorify their nation and their race through an aggressive show of force Wanted to re-create the Roman Empire Path of least resistance was through Ethiopia

Fascism and Aggressive Militarism Germany Nazi party was the German equivalent to Italy’s Fascist party Nazi party rose out of the ashes of Versailles Hitler rises to power in 1932 Seizes the opportunity Plays upon anti-Semitic hatred “brown shirts” work to get Hitler control of legislature in 1933

Fascism and Aggressive Militarism Japan Nationalists and militarists convince emperor to invade China and Southeast Asia Needed raw materials – oil, tin, and iron Japanese leaders referred to the coveted region as the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

American Isolationism Isolationist sentiment was strongest among mid-westerners and Republicans Wanted to make sure America would never again be “drawn” into a foreign war Senator Gerald Nye of North Dakota headed up an investigating committee on WWI Congress adopts a series of neutrality acts Neutrality Act of 1935 – authorized the president to prohibit all arms shipments and to forbid travel of U.S. citizens on ships of belligerent nations Neutrality Act of 1936 – forbade the extension of loans and credits to belligerents Neutrality Act of 1937 – forbade shipment of arms to Spain

Prelude to World War II Appeasement: the following events show how unprepared the democracies were to confront Fascist aggression Ethiopia, 1935 – Mussolini attacks and conquers the country in one year, while the U.S. and League of Nations do nothing Rhineland, 1936 – Hitler defies the Treaty of Versailles by ordering German troops into the “permanently demilitarized” region

Prelude to World War II China, 1937 – Japan attacks China in 1937, violating the Open Door and sinks a U.S. gunboat. U.S. readily accepts apology. Sudetenland, 1938 – FDR encourages Daladier and Chamberlain to meet with Hitler in Munich and allow him to take the Sudetenland unopposed – appeasement – “I believe it will be peace in our time!” Churchill derides Chamberlain’s actions – “He had to choose between dishonor and war. He chose dishonor and he shall have war.”

U.S. Response President Roosevelt is limited by isolationists He tests American public opinion with the “Quarantine Speech” in 1937– negative reaction He then argues for “preparedness” – proposing an arms build-up Congress agrees in late 1938 and approves a 2/3 increase in military and naval budgets Some isolationists accept “preparedness” as a means of protection for the Western hemisphere

From Neutrality to War, 1939-1941 March 1939 - Hitler breaks Munich agreement by occupying all of Czechoslovakia Britain and France pledge to fight if Hitler or Stalin attacks Poland In August 1939, Hitler and Stalin sign a nonaggression pact, dividing Poland equally September 1,1939 – German tanks and planes begin a full-scale invasion of Poland – they fall quickly Britain and France declare war on Germany – Italy and Japan (Axis) - war had begun Blitzkrieg – Poland first – then Scandinavia and France – Denmark, Norway, and France surrender in a week

Changing U.S. Policy FDR believed that British survival was crucial to American security By 1940, most Americans accepted the need to militarize and strengthen our defenses, but still debated direct aid to Britain “Cash and Carry” – neutral policy that strongly favored Britain Selective Service Act (1940) – 1.2 million troops in one year – peacetime draft “Destroyers for Bases” deal – 50 old destroyers in exchange for naval bases in the Caribbean

The Election of 1940 “Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt FDR accepts the nomination – breaks tradition Republicans nominate Wendell Willkie FDR wins with 54% of the popular vote – less than in 1932 and 1936 - because: Strong economic recovery due to war You don’t change horse mid-stream

Arsenal of Democracy FDR concludes a fireside chat in December 1940 by saying… “We must be the great arsenal of democracy.” Four Freedoms - religion, speech, want, and fear Lend-Lease Act – $50.1 billion of aid to allies, most to Britain, it was like lending a neighbor a garden hose to put out a fire Atlantic Charter – FDR and Churchill meet to affirm peacetime plans – self-determination, no territorial expansion, and free trade Shoot-on-sight – U.S. destroyer Greer sunk by German submarine in September 1941 and FDR begins undeclared naval war against Germany