1. Today’s Objective
Analyze the changing position of the United States from neutrality to entry into World War II.
Ask yourself: What events brought the US into the Second World War?

2. US Neutrality Between WWI and WWII the US was neutral
US Neutrality Between WWI and WWII the US was neutral. We did not want to fight.

3. US Neutrality Between WWI and WWII the US was neutral
US Neutrality Between WWI and WWII the US was neutral. We did not want to fight.
“The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible.”

4. Neutrality Acts: 1935, 1936, 1937 Designed to keep us out of war
When the President proclaimed the existence of a foreign war, certain restrictions would automatically go into effect:
Prohibited sales of arms to warring nations.
Prohibited loans and credits to warring nations.
Forbade Americans to travel on vessels of nations at war [in contrast to WWI—Lusitania, Sussex…].
Non-military goods must be purchased on a “cash-and-carry” basis  countries must pay in cash when they up goods from the United States.
This would prevent the President from getting the military involved in foreign conflict.
America in the 1930s declined to build up its forces!

5. 1939 Neutrality Act…we decide to help out the Allies a little more…
Hitler and the Germans invaded Poland…
FDR persuades Congress in special session to allow the US to aid European democracies in a limited way:
The US could sell weapons to the European democracies on a “cash-and-carry” basis.
Results of the 1939 Neutrality Act:
The US economy improved as European demands for war goods helped bring the country out of the recession.
America becomes the “Arsenal of Democracy.”

6. US is slowly creeping closer to war…
Neutrality Act of 1935 and 1937-US doesn’t sell any weapons to Allies
Neutrality Act of 1939-US begins to sell weapons to the Allies
Lend-Lease Act of 1941-US gives military aid to Allied nations…huge factor in Allied victory

7. US is slowly creeping closer to war…
But we still don’t officially enter the war…we’re just giving military aid
Neutrality Act of 1935 and 1937-US doesn’t sell any weapons to Allies
Neutrality Act of 1939-US begins to sell weapons to the Allies
Lend-Lease Act of 1941-US gives military aid to Allied nations…huge factor in Allied victory

8. What finally brings us into war after all these preparations??!!

9. World War II and American Neutrality
Unpopular war among many people
Government needed large propaganda campaign to convince people to support it…
Most people do NOT want to enter it…
US passes Neutrality Acts to prevent itself from getting involved
No trading with nations at war

10. Roosevelt feels US eventually needs to join the war
Eventually, he will want the country to join the war
How do presidents persuade a people to join a war they don’t want to fight?