FRIDAY!!! Friday! FRIDAY! FRIDAY!!! Welcome back! Bellringer: – Free choice Friday! Please write at least three well-developed sentences about any school- related topic of your choice. When you are finished, please assemble and submit your bellringers going back to April 13. Thank you!
World War II American interwar policies,
Think about it … Before World War I, what was the prevailing attitude among Americans about getting involved in other countries’ problems? What was America’s official policy of in the wars in Europe in the 1930s? Why? Did America’s actions match its words?
Isolationism Isolationism: A policy of pulling away from world affairs After World War I, Americans wanted to stay out of European affairs. – Why? – ‘Merchants of death’ Kellogg-Briand Pact – 1928 – U.S. and 62 other nations agreed not to use war “as an instrument of national policy”
Neutrality Acts begin, August 1935 Outlawed arms sales to nations at war. Outlawed arms loans to nations at war. Banned the sale or loan of arms to nations engaged in civil war. Why? However … – U.S. continued sending arms to China when Japan attacked them in 1937, because Japan never declared war against China.
Cash and Carry: November 1939 America can sell arms to country at war if – Country pays cash for arms. – Country picks up arms in own ships. Would help France and Great Britain defeat Hitler. Would allow America to stay out of war.
Isolationism Prevailing opinion in America during 1930s ‘America First’ – Believed in strengthening America’s defenses to make domestic attacks impossible – Believed American democracy could only be preserved by staying out of European wars – ‘Aid short of war’ threatened national security – Famous members: Sinclair Lewis, Walt Disney, Gerald Ford …
Charles Lindbergh Most prominent voice among isolationists Radio broadcasts urging deliberation Lindbergh believed that democracy would not be saved “by the forceful imposition of our ideals abroad, but by example of their successful operation at home.”
Axis Powers Tripartite Pact: Germany, Italy, Japan; September 1940 If U.S. declares war on one, they must fight two-ocean war
Election of 1940 President Roosevelt sought unprecedented third term Republican opponent Wendell Willkie Both supported aid to British and staying out of war
Lend-Lease Act, March 1941 By late 1940, Britain has no more cash to buy U.S. arms FDR: If Britain falls, Axis powers free to conquer world – U.S. must become “arsenal of democracy” – Would you lend your garden hose to your neighbor if his house was on fire? Lend-Lease Act: President can lend or lease arms to a country “whose defense is vital to the United States.” Britain, Soviet Union
Delivery issues … Convoys: Groups of ships traveling together German “wolf packs”—groups of up to 40 submarines patrol the North Atlantic – Goal: Attack supply convoys – Aided by German planes flying up to 1,000 miles out to sea to hunt for convoys Shoot on sight: After German sub fired on U.S. destroyer, FDR allows Navy to attack German U-boats in self-defense on 9/4/41
Atlantic Charter, August 1941 Winston Churchill and FDR meet on the battleship USS Augusta in the North Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Charter August 1941, U.S.S. Augusta, Newfoundland Meeting was a secret – Why? Churchill’s goal was to get a military commitment from FDR, but … Settled for a joint declaration of war aims Defined Allied goals for post-war world FDR “would wage war” and do “everything” to “force an incident”
Atlantic Charter, 1941 No territorial expansion. No territorial exchange without permission. People choose own government. Promote free trade. International cooperation to improve lives. Build secure peace. Disarmament of aggressors. Establish “permanent system of general security.”
Atlantic Charter, 1941 No territorial expansion No territorial exchange without permission People choose own government Promote free trade International cooperation to improve lives Build a secure peace Disarm aggressors Establish “permanent system of general security”
Review Wanting to stay out of other countries’ problems is called ______________. FDR signed the Neutrality Act, but then he supported the Lend-Lease Act, clearly taking sides in the war. What circumstance changed to move him toward getting the U.S. involved in the war? What is the significance of the Atlantic Charter, in terms of looking forward to the coming war?
Isolation to intervention The U.S. was isolationist, but … What was going on behind the scenes? FDR was making preparations for the war he may have believed was inevitable. What was he doing to prepare for the fight? Read “From Isolation to Intervention.” Complete the questions on the handout. Submit the reading and questions on Monday.
Homework Complete your Isolationism to Intervention questions. Update your timeline through Lesson 2.