Chapter 34: FDR and the Shadow of War (1933-1941) MR. Long AP US HISTORY Chapter 34: FDR and the Shadow of War (1933-1941)

The London Conference London Conference (1933) Goal was to come up with an international fix to the Great Depression. US was going to send Cordell Hull Sec of State FDR decided against when Europe wanted to try to stabilize world currency (This would stop his inflationary measures to get out of Depression) Solidified the US’s stance as isolationists!

Isolationists in Diplomacy With the Depression still looming Americans began to want to shed US territories. Business’s complained about trade Farmers complained about lower prices Congress passed the Tydings-McDuffie Act (1934) which said the Philippines would become independent after 12yrs (1946) Costs of maintaing Philippines also played a part

Good Neighbor Policy FDR took the “Good Neighbor” stance when it came to Latin America He wanted to bolster relations to protect the Western Hemisphere (radical governments) First Test: Mexico seized American oil properties FDR refused to take military action and came to a settlement. Good Neighbor Policy was very successful in improving America’s image to Latin America

Reciprocal Trade Agreement Both Cordell Hull and FDR believe in low tariffs. Low Tariffs = Higher Trade Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act Set up low tariff policies Cut down most offensive parts of Hawley-Smoot Tariff (amended them) Cut tariffs by up to 50% (if the other nation did the same) Tariff is a two-way street and FDR knew this! Started to reverse the trend of high-tariff and start trend of low-tariffs

Storm-Cellar Isolationalism Post WWI chaos and the Great Depression helped spawn totalitarian regimes throughout the world. Most notably Germany (Hitler), Italy (Mussolini), and the USSR (Stalin)

Storm-Cellar Isolationalism Totalitarian Nation- The individual and his or her rights are nothing; the only thing that matters is the state. Rome-Berlin Axis: In 1936 Germany and Italy become allies Tripartite Pact: In 1940 Japan joined Germany and Italy

Storm-Cellar Isolationalism Hitler was the most dangerous because he simply acted on reaction. (Very unstable) Italy attacked and beat Ethiopia in 1935. Fascist nations like to prep for war by beating up weaker nations and boasting of their triumph. America simply stayed isolationist. We have our own problems and these are an ocean away. Johnson Debt Default Act: forbid countries that owed money to the US from getting any more loans.

Congress Legislates Neutrality Nye Committee (1934) Set up to study the idea that munitions producers (Business) only helped start wars and in turn earn a profit. Neutrality Acts 1935,36,37: When the president declared foreign war restrictions would start, Americans could not… Sail on a belligerent (Nation-at-war) ship Sell or haul munitions Or make loans to belligerents These were to avoid the mistakes that had occurred during WWI. WWII: no matter how bad one side was (Axis) the US would stay absolutely NEUTRAL.

America Dooms Loyalist Spain The Spanish Civil War (1936-39) was a dress rehearsal for WWII. (mini-version) Fascist government (Gen. Francisco Franco) fought a republican democratic government. The US stayed neutral and did not assist the republican government. Most Americans wanted the Republican gov to win Said it was their war (Italy) US did place an oil embargo on the fascist regime

America Dooms Loyalist Spain Germany/Italy did help Franco Hitler could test his war machines (tanks/planes) knowing he would soon use them. Munitions build up… Germany had been building up its military under Hitler a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles The US did not build up military for defense The Navy got weaker. Congress passed a law to build up the Navy in 1938 (very late), WWII started one year later.