American Neutrality Isolationism v. Interventionism in the 1930s

Good Neighbor Policy, 1933 Latin America – Trade – Promised no military intervention Platt Amendment Abrogated

Recognition of Soviet Union Gentleman’s Agreement, 1933 – Roosevelt-Litvinov Conversations – Debt issues – Non-interference

Isolationism Belief that US should stay out of foreign wars and other problems – Rejection of Treaty of Versailles Leading proponents – Charles Lindbergh – Sen. William Borah (R- Idaho) – Sen. George Norris (R- Nebraska) – Rep. Hamilton Fish (R- New York)

Neutrality Acts FDR wanted flexibility to deal with international situation Many in Congress viewed flexibility as a problem 1935 – At outbreak of any war, embargo of arms and munitions for 6 months – American ships prohibited from carrying arms to any belligerents

Critical Thinking Why do you think prohibition of shipping to belligerents was a focus of the 1935 Act?

Neutrality Acts 1936 – President can determine when state of war exists – No loans or credits to belligerents 1937 – President can determine if civil war is a threat to peace – Cash and carry sale of nonmilitary goods

Neutrality Act of 1939 US officially neutral in European War BUT, urges Congress to approve cash and carry sale of arms Act of 1939 – Allows sale of arms – Short term loans – Still outlawed American transport

Public Opinion As Hitler overruns Europe, many Americans begin to feel Germany is a threat Two Camps: – Committee to Defend America Aid Allies so they can defeat Germany – America First Charles Lindbergh Stay out of it

Preparedness FDR begins to prepare US military for action – War Resources Board (1939) 1940 – US begins major production of ships and planes – Selective Service and Training Act First peacetime draft Men, 21-35

Greenland In 1940, Hitler invades Denmark FDR declares that Greenland is covered under Monroe Doctrine US Coast Guard patrols Western Atlantic US occupies in 1941

Aiding the Allies Destroyers for Bases, 1940 – FDR agrees to exchange 50 US Destroyers in exchange for 99-year access to English air/naval bases in Newfoundland Bermuda Caribbean – Way to get around Neutrality Acts

Aiding the Allies Election of 1940 – Roosevelt defeats Wendell Willkie – Seen as mandate to continue aid to UK Lend-Lease Act, 1941 – US provides arms to UK for future repayment – De facto end of neutrality Occupation of Iceland – US marines occupy Iceland to keep it from Germans

Atlantic Charter August 9, 1941 FDR and Winston Churchill meet on British battleship off Newfoundland Agreement for post-war world committed to self-determination for all nations “Freedom from want and fear” Beginning of idea of United Nations

Final Moves, 1941 Shoot on Sight order – US destroyer Greer attacked by German submarine – FDR orders US military to shoot on sight any German or Italian ship in patrol zone US extends Lend-Lease to Russia – Germany invades Russia in 1941