1. Diplomacy & Events Abroad
Foreign Policy Before WWII

2. Diplomacy & WWII
By few believed the fragile peace established under the Treaty of Versailles would last
Japan threatening China
Rise of the Nazis in Germany
Worries of the depression in the U.S.
How did we go from disengagement to neutrality and from neutrality to total involvement?

3. U.S. Foreign Policy- Asia
September Japanese took over Manchuria and established a puppet government
League of Nations did nothing except pass a resolution condemning Japan for its actions
The Manchuria crisis showed the League’s inability to maintain peace
Would never again be taken seriously by potential aggressors
The Stimson Doctrine was a stronger response, but did nothing to stop Japan’s aggression
U.S. refused to recognize the legitimacy of any Japanese regime established by force

4. U.S. Foreign Policy- Latin America
President Hoover actively pursued friendly relations with Latin America during his term
Reversed interventionist policies of earlier presidents
President Roosevelt continued Hoover’s efforts through a “good-neighbor” policy
Reverse dollar diplomacy interventions (U.S. couldn’t afford these investments during the Depression)
Rise of militarist regimes in Europe and Asia prompted FDR to seek Latin America’s cooperation in defending the region

5. U.S. Foreign Policy- Latin America
Roosevelt implemented his good-neighbor policies on several occasions
Nullified the Platt Amendment in Cuba
At two different Pan-American Conferences:
Pledged to not intervene in the internal affairs of a Latin American country
Warned if a regime attempted to “commit acts of aggression towards us” it would find “a hemisphere wholly prepared to consult together for our mutual safety and our mutual good”

6. Events Abroad: Fascism and Aggressive Militarism
Nationalist resentment after WWI combined with economic hardships gave rise to military dictatorships in Italy in the s, Japan and Germany in the 1930s
1940- Japan, Italy, and Germany form an alliance
The Axis Powers

7. Italy 1922- Benito Mussolini’s Fascist Party seized power in Italy
Attracted dissatisfied war veterans, nationalists, and those who feared communism
The “Black Shirts” marched on Rome and installed Mussolini in power as “Il Duce” (the Leader)
Fascism became the dominant ideology in European dictatorships in the 1930s
The idea that people should glorify their race through aggressive show of force

8. Nazi Germany
The Nazi Party arose out of the 1920s in reaction to the terrible economic conditions in Germany after WWI
Largely a result of the reparation payments demanded by the Treaty of Versailles
Adolf Hitler was a young WWI veteran who quickly worked his way up through the then German Workers Party
Captivating speaker, drew upon the anger of unemployed workers and disgruntled veterans

9. The Beer Hall Putsch
November 8-9, 1923: Hitler and his followers staged a failed coup of the government in Bavaria, a state in southern Germany
Hitler was convicted of treason and sentence to 5 years, but only served less than 1
In prison, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, his political autobiography in which he explained his political ideologies and future plans for Germany

10. Hitler’s Rise to Power
After being released from prison, Hitler realized the Nazis had to gain power through legal means
His Beer Hall Putsch and trial had made him an instant celebrity
Hitler capitalized on his popularity to attack the weakness of the Weimar Republic and remind German’s of the unfairness of the Treaty of Versailles
The Emergency Decree after the Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act essentially give Hitler and the Nazis full control over the German government
After the death of President Hindenburg, Hitler declares himself President, Chancellor, and head of the NSDAP

11. Japan
Japan’s nationalists and militarists arose to power in response to worsening economic conditions there
Convinced the emperor the best way to ensure access to basic raw materials was to invade China and Southeast Asia
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

12. American Isolations
Nye Committee determined that U.S. entry into WWI was a mistake
Concluded the main reason for U.S. participation was to serve the greed of the bankers and arms manufacturers
The Nye Committee’s work influenced isolationist legislation for years to come
Congress adopted a series of neutrality acts that applied to nations who were at war:
Prohibit arms shipments, travel, extension of loans and credits to nations at war
The America First Committee employed celebrities and popular speaks to travel the country to warn against reengaging in another European conflict

13. ? What did the Manchuria crisis prove about the League of Nations?
What two factors led to the rise of dictatorships in Europe and Asia in the 1930s?
What three countries would ultimately make up the Axis Powers?
What was Mein Kampf?
Give two examples of attempts by Americans to stay isolated from the growing discord in Europe.