1. In the years , a series of aggressive actions by Fascist dictatorships made democratic governments in Britain and France extremely nervous.
The Road to World War II “The epidemic of world lawlessness is spreading. When an epidemic of physical disease starts to spread, the community approves and joins in a quarantine of the patients in order to protect the health of the community against the spread of the disease…there must be positive endeavors to preserve peace.”

2. FDR “Traveling Salesman for Peace”
Economic isolationism from Europe
London Conference
Freedom from American imperialism
Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934
“Good Neighbor” policy
Cuba
Haiti
Panama
Mexico – a true test!
Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act of 1934 by Secretary of State Cordell Hull
Lowered tariff rates
“Trade wars beget shooting wars.”

3. Spain
Led a fascist rebel group of Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War ( )
Received munitions and soldiers from Italy and Germany
Republicans were covertly supported by Stalin and openly by Mexico
An indicator of growing European instability prior to WWII

4. Fascism and Aggressive Militarism
Italy
Fascists rise to power – war veterans, nationalists, and those fearing Communism, under Mussolini
Fascism defined: the idea that people should glorify their nation and their race through an aggressive show of force
Wanted to re-create the Roman Empire
Path of least resistance was through Ethiopia

5. Fascism and Aggressive Militarism
Germany
Nazi party was the German equivalent to Italy’s Fascist party
Nazi party rose out of the ashes of Versailles
Hitler rises to power in 1932
Seizes the opportunity
Plays upon anti-Semitic hatred
“brown shirts” work to get Hitler control of legislature in 1933

6. Fascism and Aggressive Militarism
Japan
Nationalists and militarists convince emperor to invade China and Southeast Asia
Needed raw materials – oil, tin, and iron
Japanese leaders referred to the coveted region as the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

7. American Isolationism
Isolationist sentiment was strongest among mid-westerners and Republicans
Wanted to make sure America would never again be “drawn” into a foreign war
Senator Gerald Nye of North Dakota headed up an investigating committee on WWI
Congress adopts a series of neutrality acts
Neutrality Act of 1935 – authorized the president to prohibit all arms shipments and to forbid travel of U.S. citizens on ships of belligerent nations
Neutrality Act of 1936 – forbade the extension of loans and credits to belligerents
Neutrality Act of 1937 – forbade shipment of arms to Spain

8. Prelude to World War II
Appeasement: the following events show how unprepared the democracies were to confront Fascist aggression
Ethiopia, 1935 – Mussolini attacks and conquers the country in one year, while the U.S. and League of Nations do nothing
Rhineland, 1936 – Hitler defies the Treaty of Versailles by ordering German troops into the “permanently demilitarized” region

9. Prelude to World War II
China, 1937 – Japan attacks China in 1937, violating the Open Door and sinks a U.S. gunboat. U.S. readily accepts apology.
Sudetenland, 1938 – FDR encourages Daladier and Chamberlain to meet with Hitler in Munich and allow him to take the Sudetenland unopposed – appeasement – “I believe it will be peace in our time!”
Churchill derides Chamberlain’s actions – “He had to choose between dishonor and war. He chose dishonor and he shall have war.”

10. U.S. Response President Roosevelt is limited by isolationists
He tests American public opinion with the “Quarantine Speech” in 1937– negative reaction
He then argues for “preparedness” – proposing an arms build-up
Congress agrees in late 1938 and approves a 2/3 increase in military and naval budgets
Some isolationists accept “preparedness” as a means of protection for the Western hemisphere

11. From Neutrality to War, 1939-1941
March Hitler breaks Munich agreement by occupying all of Czechoslovakia
Britain and France pledge to fight if Hitler or Stalin attacks Poland
In August 1939, Hitler and Stalin sign a nonaggression pact, dividing Poland equally
September 1,1939 – German tanks and planes begin a full-scale invasion of Poland – they fall quickly
Britain and France declare war on Germany – Italy and Japan (Axis) - war had begun
Blitzkrieg – Poland first – then Scandinavia and France – Denmark, Norway, and France surrender in a week

12. Changing U.S. Policy
FDR believed that British survival was crucial to American security
By 1940, most Americans accepted the need to militarize and strengthen our defenses, but still debated direct aid to Britain
“Cash and Carry” – neutral policy that strongly favored Britain
Selective Service Act (1940) – 1.2 million troops in one year – peacetime draft
“Destroyers for Bases” deal – 50 old destroyers in exchange for naval bases in the Caribbean

13. The Election of 1940
“Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt
FDR accepts the nomination – breaks tradition
Republicans nominate Wendell Willkie
FDR wins with 54% of the popular vote – less than in 1932 and because:
Strong economic recovery due to war
You don’t change horse mid-stream

14. Arsenal of Democracy
FDR concludes a fireside chat in December 1940 by saying… “We must be the great arsenal of democracy.”
Four Freedoms - religion, speech, want, and fear
Lend-Lease Act – $50.1 billion of aid to allies, most to Britain, it was like lending a neighbor a garden hose to put out a fire
Atlantic Charter – FDR and Churchill meet to affirm peacetime plans – self-determination, no territorial expansion, and free trade
Shoot-on-sight – U.S. destroyer Greer sunk by German submarine in September 1941 and FDR begins undeclared naval war against Germany