American Foreign Policy: 1920-1941 IB History of the Americas
DIPLOMACY IN THE 1920S: ENGAGEMENT WITHOUT ENTANGLEMENTS
Failure of the League of Nations The US became “unofficial observers” Senate voted down membership into the League, even though it was the cornerstone of Wilson’s 14 Points 3
Punch Magazine December 1919 4
Failure of the League of Nations Collective security by the League required nations to act against states they considered friends to support states in which they had no interest. Ex. Mussolini and Ethiopia Moral Suasion in Punch Magazine 1920 5
Washington Disarmament Conference (1921-1922) Goals naval disarmament and the political situation in the Far East.
Five-Power Treaty (1922) A battleship ratio was achieved through this ratio: US Britain Japan France Italy 5 5 3 1.67 1.67 Japan got a guarantee that the US and Britain would stop fortifying their Far East territories [including the Philippines]. Loophole no restrictions on small warships, no enforcement mechanism
European Debts to the US
Hyper-Inflation in Germany: 1923
Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) 15 nations dedicated to outlawing aggression and war as tools of foreign policy. 62 nations signed. Problems no means of actual enforcement and gave Americans a false sense of security.
DIPLOMACY IN THE 1930S: ENGAGEMENT to Isolationism
Japanese Attack Manchuria (1931) League of Nations condemned the action. Japan leaves the League. Hoover wanted no part in an American military action in the Far East.
Hoover-Stimson Doctrine (1932) US would not recognize any territorial acquisitions that were achieved by force. Japan was infuriated because the US had conquered new territories a few decades earlier. Japan bombed Shanghai in 1932 massive casualties.
FDR’s “Good Neighbor” Policy Important to have all nations in the Western Hemisphere united in lieu of foreign aggressions. FDR The good neighbor respects himself and the rights of others. Policy of non-intervention and cooperation.
Geneva Conference- arms limitation talks U.S. Isolationism Geneva Conference- arms limitation talks 1933, Hitler and Mussolini withdraw Reasons for U.S. isolationism: Failure of the League to limit aggression (ex. Italy-Ethiopia) Public opinion against U.S. involvement in Europe, leading to the Neutrality Acts 15
FDR’s “I hate war” Speech (1936)
From Isolationism to War
Neutrality Acts: 1935, 1936, 1937 Congress responds to voters to prevent a repeat of the events that led U.S. into WW I. When the President proclaimed the existence of a foreign war, certain restrictions would automatically go into effect: Prohibited sales of arms to nations. Prohibited loans and credits to nations. Forbade Americans to travel on vessels of nations at war
Panay Incident (1937) December 12, 1937. Japan bombed USS Panay gunboat Japan apologized, paid US an indemnity, and promised no further attacks. Results Japanese interpreted US tone as a license for further aggression against US interests.
“America First” Committee Charles Lindbergh
War Begins / US Intervention England near bankruptcy and cannot afford “cash & carry” FDR introduces “Lend-Lease” Lend or lease arms to any nation deemed “vital to the defense of the United States” 21
“Lend-Lease” Act (1941) Great Britain.........................$31 billion Soviet Union...........................$11 billion France......................................$ 3 billion China.......................................$1.5 billion Other European.................$500 million South America...................$400 million The amount totaled: $48,601,365,000
Japanese Aggression 1931-1941 Pathways 23
US / Japan Dec 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor attacked U.S. naval force in the Pacific is greatly reduced Dec 8, FDR asks for a declaration of war. Dec 11 Germany & Italy declare war on U.S. U.S. reciprocates FDR before Congress asking for a Declaration of War against Japan, Dec. 8, 1941 24
FDR Signs the War Declaration