Moving from Isolationism to War

Franklin Delano Roosevelt President at the start of World War II Elected to four terms as President *Other important events during presidency: Great Depression

Good Neighbor Policy The United States wanted to become better friends with their American neighbors. Why? Rise of dictatorships in Europe and Asia worried U.S. about a possible rise in Latin America U.S. had to establish friendlier relations with Latin America or else risk creating hostile neighbors.

Montevideo Conference (Uruguay) U.S. pledges NOT to interfere in the affairs of its neighbors Constant intervention by U.S. was thought to breed anti-American sentiment among Latin Americans

Montevideo Pact “No state has the right to intervene in the internal or external affairs of another state” U.S. foreign policy change: no longer one of armed intervention in Latin America

Trade Friendly Partners Canada, France, and Great Britain Laid groundwork for political cooperation in WWII

American People’s Feelings About the War Failure to reduce armaments Quarreling among European powers Tariff wars Disillusioned that WWI did not bring peace Did not bring disarmament Did not bring democracy worldwide

Failure of the League of Nations Not an effective instrument of peace U.S. wise not to join because it was designed to fail How? Would U.S. joining have helped? League of Nations fail to check the aggressions of the Axis powers What did the League lack? WHY did it fail?

U.S. Argument Against War #1 Atlantic and Pacific A natural protection Improved relations with Latin America gave even more protection/even if dictators won Europe and Asia

U.S. Argument Against War #2 Depression Many Americans felt the U.S. priority was fixing the depression (What did the depression influence in the 1930’s?)

U.S. Argument Against War #3 Pacifism Belief that ALL war was unjustified Backed isolationists Why?

U.S. Argument Against War #4 Money Unpaid war debts from WWI Money from WWI benefited banks and business It is typically viewed as a bad thing to make money off of something tragic (like war)

Johnson Debt Default Act Forbade American Government and private American companies from lending money to any country that defaulted on their loans from WWI How is this a victory for the isolationists?

American Annoyance Only Finland repaid war debt NOW countries who had defaulted on loans were pouring money into building up armaments ENTANGLING INVESTMENTS

Neutrality Acts Prevented shipment of munitions to belligerents Authorized President to list things other than munitions that could be sold to belligerents only on a “Cash and Carry” basis Cash and Carry Against the law for Americans to travel on warring vessels Lusitania Sinking 1915 Restricted U.S. citizens on where and how they could travel

The Other Side Not ALL Americans were isolationists Neutrality Acts made it difficult for U.S. to help victims of aggression Moral duty to help victims Don’t act, may find ourselves surrounded by powerful enemies

STILL Isolationist Attitude Prevailed – even after Panay Incident 54% of Americans believed U.S. should withdraw completely from China

Aggression Continues How long will the U.S. hold out?

American Concern July 1938 Roosevelt asks Congress for appropriations to build up defenses Appropriation Congress approves $1 Billion for a two ocean navy.

Roosevelt Contacted Mussolini and Hitler Asked them to settle differences with negotiations and international cooperation Why did Mussolini and Hitler ignore the U.S.? Isolationism

Roosevelt Extends Monroe Doctrine to Canada Buenos Aires Conference of 1936 (threat to one is a threat to all) Reaffirmed 1938 Lima, Peru 21 nations – Protect Western Hemisphere

Roosevelt’s Annual Message to Congress January 1939 Need appropriations for National Defense Reconsider Neutrality Legislation

Great Britain and France Need military equipment U.S.A. can supply it Germany has plenty of armaments Neutrality Acts – How are they hurting Great Britain and France?

Roosevelt “I regret that Congress passed the act” The Neutrality Acts favored Germany Britain and France really needed the military equipment

Neutrality Laws Amended Anyone can buy munitions/arms from U.S. Must be transported on foreign ships.

Declaration of Panama Pan American Union warns belligerents to keep war vessels out of a safety zone surrounding the continent (300-1000 miles wide)

Disagreement Germany, France, Great Britain argue that no nation of group of nations had the right to close the high seas to their ships. Agreement showed cooperation of American countries

Burke-Wadsworth Act September 1940 All men 21-35 to register for the draft and made them liable for one year of military training.

Lend Lease Program War materials flowing to Britain Britain does not have the cash for war materials Raise production of war materials so U.S. can LEND or LEASE materials to Allies

Lend Lease Program FOR AGAINST Best hope for keeping us out of full participation in war AGAINST Involve America in a shooting war

Lend Lease Program $7 Billion for ships, planes, tanks, and anything else needed for Allies.

The Atlantic Graveyard Ships being sunk by German submarines American ships convoy (accompany) merchant vessels carrying supplies Merchant ships would be armed, ordered to “shoot on sight”

America’s Response Freezes Japanese assets Embargo on the shipment of Gasoline Machine Tools Scrap Iron Steel Trade between U.S. and Japan practically ends U.S. extends Lend-Lease to China.

Japan America stiffening resistance Plans an attack Sends a ‘peace mission’ to U.S.

Peace Mission November 1941 DEMANDS U.S. must unfreeze assets Supply Japan with as much gasoline as it wants Cease aide to China

United States Refuses Japanese demands

Sunday December 7, 1941 Japan- further negotiations were useless U.S. showed no conciliation Before message got to U.S. planes were already attacking.

Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 Pacific Naval fleet damaged Pacific Air fleet nearly destroyed 2000 soldiers and civilians killed 2000 more wounded

Pearl Harbor Roosevelt asks Congress for a declaration of war on Japan (Dec 8). Senate declares war unanimously, House only had one dissenting vote. American people, completely on board. December 11, 1941- Germany and Italy declare war on U.S. (U.S. then declares war on them)

Pearl Harbor The United States enters WWII