The Diplomacy of the New Era

The Diplomacy of the New EraThe Diplomacy of the New Era

Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes secured Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes secured legislation from Congress in 1921 declaring the war legislation from Congress in 1921 declaring the war with Germany to be at an end, negotiated with with Germany to be at an end, negotiated with separate peace treaties with the former Central separate peace treaties with the former Central Powers, these separate treaties the lawmakers Powers, these separate treaties the lawmakers believed gave the US all the advantages of the believed gave the US all the advantages of the Versailles Treaty with none of the burdensome Versailles Treaty with none of the burdensome responsibilities, Hughes then embarked on a series responsibilities, Hughes then embarked on a series of efforts to build safeguards against future warsof efforts to build safeguards against future wars


The Washington Conference of 1921 was an The Washington Conference of 1921 was an attempt to prevent a naval arms race between attempt to prevent a naval arms race between America, Japan and Britain, proposed America, Japan and Britain, proposed reductions in the fleets of all 3 nations, 10-year reductions in the fleets of all 3 nations, 10-year moratorium on constructionmoratorium on construction of large of large warships, called for the actual scrapping of 2 warships, called for the actual scrapping of 2 million tons of existing shipping, the conference million tons of existing shipping, the conference ultimately agreed to accept most of the termsultimately agreed to accept most of the terms


The Five- Power Pact (1922) established both The Five- Power Pact (1922) established both limits for total naval tonnage and a ratio of limits for total naval tonnage and a ratio of armaments among the signatories, for every 5 tons armaments among the signatories, for every 5 tons of American and British warships, Japan would of American and British warships, Japan would maintain 3 tons, and France and Italy 1.75 tons maintain 3 tons, and France and Italy 1.75 tons each, this in fact confirmed Japanese superiority each, this in fact confirmed Japanese superiority in East Asia, Britain and the US had to spread in East Asia, Britain and the US had to spread their fleets around the globe while Japan was only their fleets around the globe while Japan was only concerned with the Pacificconcerned with the Pacific


The Nine-Power Pact pledged a The Nine-Power Pact pledged a continuation of the Open Door policy in continuation of the Open Door policy in China, and in the Four-Power Pact the US, China, and in the Four-Power Pact the US, Britain, France, and Japan promised to Britain, France, and Japan promised to respect one another’s Pacific territories and respect one another’s Pacific territories and cooperate to prevent aggressioncooperate to prevent aggression


The Kellog-Briand Pact (1928) was a The Kellog-Briand Pact (1928) was a multilateral treaty outlawing war as an multilateral treaty outlawing war as an instrument of national policy, 14 nations instrument of national policy, 14 nations signed the agreement, eventually 48 other signed the agreement, eventually 48 other nations would join the pact, it contained no nations would join the pact, it contained no instruments of enforcement but rested on instruments of enforcement but rested on the “moral force” of world opinionthe “moral force” of world opinion


The first responsibility of American The first responsibility of American diplomacy was to ensure that American diplomacy was to ensure that American overseas trade faced no obstacles to overseas trade faced no obstacles to expansion, and that, once established, it expansion, and that, once established, it would remain free of interference, would remain free of interference, preventing a dangerous armaments race preventing a dangerous armaments race and reducing the possibility of war were and reducing the possibility of war were steps to that endsteps to that end


The US was most concerned about Europe on whose The US was most concerned about Europe on whose economic health American prosperity in large part economic health American prosperity in large part depended on, Allied powers were struggling to repay depended on, Allied powers were struggling to repay 11 billion in loans they had contracted with the US 11 billion in loans they had contracted with the US during and shortly after the war, loans that the during and shortly after the war, loans that the Republican administrations were unwilling to reduce Republican administrations were unwilling to reduce or forgive, “They hired the money, didn’t they?”, or forgive, “They hired the money, didn’t they?”, with Germany also struggling to pay its reparations, with Germany also struggling to pay its reparations, the financial structure of Europe was on the brink of the financial structure of Europe was on the brink of collapsecollapse


Charles G. Dawes an American banker and Charles G. Dawes an American banker and diplomat, negotiated an agreement among France, diplomat, negotiated an agreement among France, Britain, Germany and the United States under Britain, Germany and the United States under which American banks would provide enormous which American banks would provide enormous loans to the Germans, enabling them to meet their loans to the Germans, enabling them to meet their reparations payments, in return, Britain and reparations payments, in return, Britain and France would agree to reduce the amount of those France would agree to reduce the amount of those payments, Dawes won the Nobel Peace Prize for payments, Dawes won the Nobel Peace Prize for his effortshis efforts


The Dawes Plan was responsible for the The Dawes Plan was responsible for the growing American economic presence in growing American economic presence in Germany, created circular pattern: Germany, created circular pattern: America would lend money to Germany, America would lend money to Germany, which Germany would use to pay which Germany would use to pay reparations to France and England, who reparations to France and England, who would in turn use those funds to repay war would in turn use those funds to repay war debts to the USdebts to the US


American automobile manufacturers were American automobile manufacturers were opening European factories, capturing a opening European factories, capturing a large share of the overseas market, other large share of the overseas market, other industries were establishing subsidiaries industries were establishing subsidiaries worth more than $10 billion throughout the worth more than $10 billion throughout the Continent, taking advantage of the Continent, taking advantage of the devastation of European industry and the devastation of European industry and the inability of domestic corporations to recoverinability of domestic corporations to recover


Some in the American government warned that the Some in the American government warned that the reckless expansion of overseas loans and investments reckless expansion of overseas loans and investments threatened disaster; that the US was becoming too threatened disaster; that the US was becoming too dependent on unstable European economies, the high dependent on unstable European economies, the high Republican tariffs of the 1920s made it difficult for Republican tariffs of the 1920s made it difficult for European nations to export their goods to the US European nations to export their goods to the US making it difficult to find the money necessary to making it difficult to find the money necessary to repay their loans, these warnings fell on deaf ears and repay their loans, these warnings fell on deaf ears and US economic expansion in Europe continued until US economic expansion in Europe continued until 19311931


During the 1920s the American military maintained a During the 1920s the American military maintained a presence in many Latin American countries, US presence in many Latin American countries, US investments in Latin America more than doubled investments in Latin America more than doubled between 1924 and 1929, American corporations built between 1924 and 1929, American corporations built roads and other facilities in many areas, American roads and other facilities in many areas, American banks offered loans to Latin American governments banks offered loans to Latin American governments who were also having difficultly earning the money to who were also having difficultly earning the money to repay them in the face of American high tariffs, repay them in the face of American high tariffs, resentment of “Yankee Imperialism” was rapidly resentment of “Yankee Imperialism” was rapidly growing in the late 1920sgrowing in the late 1920s


The world financial crisis that began in 1929 and The world financial crisis that began in 1929 and greatly intensified after 1931 was not only creating greatly intensified after 1931 was not only creating economic distress, it was producing a dangerous economic distress, it was producing a dangerous nationalism that threatened the weak international nationalism that threatened the weak international agreements established during the previous decade, agreements established during the previous decade, the Depression was toppling some existing political the Depression was toppling some existing political leaders and replacing them with powerful, leaders and replacing them with powerful, belligerent governments bent on expansion as a belligerent governments bent on expansion as a solution to their economic problemssolution to their economic problems


In Latin America, Hoover worked diligently In Latin America, Hoover worked diligently to repair some of the damage created by to repair some of the damage created by earlier American policies, he made a 10-earlier American policies, he made a 10-week goodwill tour of the region before his week goodwill tour of the region before his inauguration, he tried to abstain from inauguration, he tried to abstain from intervening in the internal affairs of Latin intervening in the internal affairs of Latin American countries, and moved to American countries, and moved to withdraw troops from Haiti.withdraw troops from Haiti.

The Diplomacy of the New The Diplomacy of the New EraEra

America would grant diplomatic America would grant diplomatic recognition to any sitting government recognition to any sitting government without questioning the means it had used without questioning the means it had used to obtain power, Hoover even repudiated to obtain power, Hoover even repudiated the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine by refusing to permit American Doctrine by refusing to permit American intervention when several Latin American intervention when several Latin American countries defaulted on their debt obligations countries defaulted on their debt obligations to the US in 1931to the US in 1931


Hoover proposed a moratorium on debts in Hoover proposed a moratorium on debts in Europe in 1931, but this failed to attract Europe in 1931, but this failed to attract broad support or produce financial stability, broad support or produce financial stability, many economists and political leaders many economists and political leaders appealed to Hoover to cancel all war debts appealed to Hoover to cancel all war debts owed to the US, but Hoover refused to cancel owed to the US, but Hoover refused to cancel war debts in Europe, and several European war debts in Europe, and several European nations promptly went into defaultnations promptly went into default


At the World Disarmament Conference (1932) At the World Disarmament Conference (1932) France rejected idea of disarmament, called for France rejected idea of disarmament, called for the creation of an international army to counter the creation of an international army to counter the growing power of Germany, Hoover the growing power of Germany, Hoover continued to urge major reductions in continued to urge major reductions in armaments including an immediate abolition of armaments including an immediate abolition of all offensive weapons and a 30% reduction in all all offensive weapons and a 30% reduction in all land and naval forces, the conference ended in land and naval forces, the conference ended in failurefailure


Benito Mussolini and his Benito Mussolini and his Fascist Party had been in Fascist Party had been in power in Italy since the power in Italy since the early 1920s and by the early 1920s and by the 1930s it was increasingly 1930s it was increasingly nationalistic and nationalistic and militaristic, its leaders were militaristic, its leaders were threatening an active threatening an active campaign of imperial campaign of imperial expansionexpansion

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Hitler and the National Socialist Party Hitler and the National Socialist Party (Nazis) would be in power in Germany by (Nazis) would be in power in Germany by 1933, led by a belief in the racial superiority 1933, led by a belief in the racial superiority of the Aryan people, his commitment to of the Aryan people, his commitment to providing Lebensraum (living space) for his providing Lebensraum (living space) for his “master race”, his pathological anti-“master race”, his pathological anti-Semitism and his passionate militarism all Semitism and his passionate militarism all threatened European peace in the 1930sthreatened European peace in the 1930s


The Japanese, reeling from an economic The Japanese, reeling from an economic depression of their own, were concerned about depression of their own, were concerned about the increasing strength of the Soviet Union and the increasing strength of the Soviet Union and of Chiang Kai-Shek’s nationalist China, the of Chiang Kai-Shek’s nationalist China, the were alarmed at Chiang’s insistence on were alarmed at Chiang’s insistence on expanding his governments power in expanding his governments power in Manchuria, Japan had maintained effective Manchuria, Japan had maintained effective economic control of Manchuria since 1905.economic control of Manchuria since 1905.

The Diplomacy of the New The Diplomacy of the New EraEra

Japan’s military leaders staged a coup in Japan’s military leaders staged a coup in 1931, seized control of foreign policy from 1931, seized control of foreign policy from the weakened liberals and launched a major the weakened liberals and launched a major invasion of northern Manchuria and by invasion of northern Manchuria and by early 1932 the conquest of Manchuria was early 1932 the conquest of Manchuria was completecomplete


Secretary of State Henry Stimson issued stern Secretary of State Henry Stimson issued stern warnings to Japan and tried to use moral suasion to warnings to Japan and tried to use moral suasion to end the crisis, Hoover forbade him from cooperating end the crisis, Hoover forbade him from cooperating with the League of Nations in imposing economic with the League of Nations in imposing economic sanctions against the Japanese, the US refused to sanctions against the Japanese, the US refused to grant diplomatic recognition of new Japanese grant diplomatic recognition of new Japanese territories, Japan was unconcerned and in early 1932 territories, Japan was unconcerned and in early 1932 expanded its aggression farther into China, attacking expanded its aggression farther into China, attacking the city of Shanghai and killing thousands of civiliansthe city of Shanghai and killing thousands of civilians


By the time Hoover left office in early 1933 By the time Hoover left office in early 1933 it was clear that the international system it was clear that the international system that the US had attempted to create in the that the US had attempted to create in the 1920s, a system based on voluntary 1920s, a system based on voluntary cooperation among nations and on an cooperation among nations and on an American refusal to commit itself to the American refusal to commit itself to the interests of other countries, had collapsedinterests of other countries, had collapsed

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism Hoover had argued that only by resolving the Hoover had argued that only by resolving the

question of war debt and reinforcing the gold question of war debt and reinforcing the gold standard could the American economy hope to standard could the American economy hope to recover, Roosevelt agreed to participate in the recover, Roosevelt agreed to participate in the World Economic Conference (1933) in order to World Economic Conference (1933) in order to resolve these issues, FDR allowed the gold value of resolve these issues, FDR allowed the gold value of the dollar to fall in order to enable American goods the dollar to fall in order to enable American goods to compete in the world markets, at the conference to compete in the world markets, at the conference FDR’s Bombshell was announced in which he FDR’s Bombshell was announced in which he rejected any agreement on currency stabilizationrejected any agreement on currency stabilization

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism FDR singed a bill in 1934 forbidding FDR singed a bill in 1934 forbidding

American banks from making loans to any American banks from making loans to any nation in default on its debts, the result was nation in default on its debts, the result was to stop the old, circular system by which to stop the old, circular system by which debt payments continued only by virtue of debt payments continued only by virtue of increasing American loans, within months increasing American loans, within months war-debt payments from every nation war-debt payments from every nation except Finland stopped for goodexcept Finland stopped for good

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism The Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act (1934) The Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act (1934)

authorized administration to negotiate authorized administration to negotiate treaties lowering tariffs by as much as 50% treaties lowering tariffs by as much as 50% for reciprocal reduction by other nations, for reciprocal reduction by other nations, Secretary of State Cordell Hull negotiated Secretary of State Cordell Hull negotiated new treaties with 21 countries resulting in new treaties with 21 countries resulting in an increase in American exports of nearly an increase in American exports of nearly 40%.40%.

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism

Most of the agreements admitted only Most of the agreements admitted only products not competitive with American products not competitive with American industry and agriculture, so imports into industry and agriculture, so imports into the US continued to lag, therefore other the US continued to lag, therefore other countries were not obtaining the US countries were not obtaining the US currency needed to buy American products currency needed to buy American products or pay off debts to US banksor pay off debts to US banks

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism America was eager for a new relationship with the America was eager for a new relationship with the

Soviet Union as a possible source of trade, the Soviets Soviet Union as a possible source of trade, the Soviets also wanted a new relationship with the US in order also wanted a new relationship with the US in order to help contain the growing influence of Japan who to help contain the growing influence of Japan who were viewed as a threat, in 1933 the US and Soviet were viewed as a threat, in 1933 the US and Soviet Union reached an agreement in which the Soviets Union reached an agreement in which the Soviets would cease their propaganda efforts in the US and would cease their propaganda efforts in the US and protect American citizens in Russia, in return the US protect American citizens in Russia, in return the US would recognize the communist regime, both would recognize the communist regime, both countries still viewed each other with considerable countries still viewed each other with considerable mistrustmistrust

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism During the 1930s the US increased During the 1930s the US increased

imports/exports with the other nations in imports/exports with the other nations in the Western Hemisphere by 100%, at the the Western Hemisphere by 100%, at the Inter-American Conference (1933) Inter-American Conference (1933) Secretary of State Hull signed a policy Secretary of State Hull signed a policy statement stating “no state has the right to statement stating “no state has the right to intervene in the internal or external affairs intervene in the internal or external affairs of another”.of another”.


The Good Neighbor Policy did not mean The Good Neighbor Policy did not mean that the US had abandoned its influence in that the US had abandoned its influence in Latin America, it meant that instead of Latin America, it meant that instead of military force the US would use economic military force the US would use economic influence in Latin America, it did nothing to influence in Latin America, it did nothing to stem the growing American domination of stem the growing American domination of Latin American economiesLatin American economies

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism Support for isolationism emerged after Support for isolationism emerged after

disarmament failures at conferences in disarmament failures at conferences in Geneva and London (Germany, Italy, and Geneva and London (Germany, Italy, and Japan walked out of them) Americans were Japan walked out of them) Americans were faced with a choice between more active faced with a choice between more active efforts to stabilize the world or more efforts to stabilize the world or more energetic attempts to isolate the nation from energetic attempts to isolate the nation from it, most Americans unhesitatingly chose the it, most Americans unhesitatingly chose the laterlater

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism Internationalists (old Wilsonians) were Internationalists (old Wilsonians) were

disillusioned with the League of Nations and disillusioned with the League of Nations and its inability to stop Japan in East Asia, its inability to stop Japan in East Asia, Populists were arguing that powerful Populists were arguing that powerful business interests (Wall Street, munitions business interests (Wall Street, munitions manufacturers, and others) had tricked the manufacturers, and others) had tricked the US into entering WWI.US into entering WWI.


An investigation by Senator Gerald Nye An investigation by Senator Gerald Nye (ND) revealed exorbitant profiteering and (ND) revealed exorbitant profiteering and blatant tax evasion by many corporations blatant tax evasion by many corporations during the war, and it suggested that during the war, and it suggested that bankers had pressured Wilson to intervene bankers had pressured Wilson to intervene in the war in order to protect their loans in the war in order to protect their loans abroadabroad

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism In 1935 FDR asked the Senate to ratify a In 1935 FDR asked the Senate to ratify a

treaty to make the US a member of the treaty to make the US a member of the World Court, isolationists (led by Hearst World Court, isolationists (led by Hearst newspapers and Father Charles Coughlin) newspapers and Father Charles Coughlin) opposed the treaty, which resulted in the opposed the treaty, which resulted in the defeat of the treaty, this was political blow defeat of the treaty, this was political blow to FDR and he did not challenge the to FDR and he did not challenge the isolationist tide any time soonisolationist tide any time soon

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism The Neutrality Act of 1935 was designed to The Neutrality Act of 1935 was designed to

prevent a recurrence of the events many prevent a recurrence of the events many Americans now believed had pressured the Americans now believed had pressured the US into WWI, this law established a US into WWI, this law established a mandatory arms embargo against both mandatory arms embargo against both victim and aggressor.victim and aggressor.


Empowered the President to warn Empowered the President to warn American citizens that they might travel on American citizens that they might travel on the ships of warring nations only at their the ships of warring nations only at their own risk, thus “protection of neutral rights” own risk, thus “protection of neutral rights” could not be used as an excuse for American could not be used as an excuse for American intervention in a European war, these intervention in a European war, these provisions were easily renewed in 1936provisions were easily renewed in 1936

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism The Neutrality Act of 1937 established a The Neutrality Act of 1937 established a

cash-and-carry policy in which belligerents cash-and-carry policy in which belligerents could purchase only nonmilitary goods from could purchase only nonmilitary goods from the US, had to pay cash, and had to carry the US, had to pay cash, and had to carry the goods away on their own vesselsthe goods away on their own vessels

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism Mussolini launched attack on Ethiopia in Mussolini launched attack on Ethiopia in

October 1935, the League of Nations October 1935, the League of Nations protested, Italy simply resigned from the protested, Italy simply resigned from the organization, completed its conquest of organization, completed its conquest of Ethiopia and formed an alliance with Nazi Ethiopia and formed an alliance with Nazi Germany (the Axis), this action on the part Germany (the Axis), this action on the part of Italy renewed American determination to of Italy renewed American determination to isolate themselvesisolate themselves

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism General Francisco Franco (1937), leader of the General Francisco Franco (1937), leader of the

Falangists (similar to the Fascists in Italy), Falangists (similar to the Fascists in Italy), fought the Spanish Civil War supported fought the Spanish Civil War supported militarily and economically by Hitler and militarily and economically by Hitler and Mussolini, some individual Americans traveled Mussolini, some individual Americans traveled to Spain to fight the fascists (Abraham Lincoln to Spain to fight the fascists (Abraham Lincoln Brigade) but the US government joined with Brigade) but the US government joined with France and Britain in an agreement to offer no France and Britain in an agreement to offer no assistance to either sideassistance to either side

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism In 1937 Tokyo attacked China’s five In 1937 Tokyo attacked China’s five

northern provinces, in response FDR gave northern provinces, in response FDR gave the Quarantine Speech, aggressors should the Quarantine Speech, aggressors should be “quarantined” by the international be “quarantined” by the international community to prevent the contagion of war community to prevent the contagion of war from spreading, American public response from spreading, American public response to the speech was hostile and FDR drew to the speech was hostile and FDR drew back from taking a standback from taking a stand

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism On December 12, 1937 the US gunboat On December 12, 1937 the US gunboat

Panay was bombed and sunk by Japanese Panay was bombed and sunk by Japanese aviators on the Yangtze Rover in China, the aviators on the Yangtze Rover in China, the attack occurred in broad daylight with clear attack occurred in broad daylight with clear visibility, a large American flag had been visibility, a large American flag had been painted on the deck of the Panay, painted on the deck of the Panay, isolationists argued bombing had been an isolationists argued bombing had been an accident and pressured FDR to accept accident and pressured FDR to accept Japan’s apologyJapan’s apology

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism In 1936 Hitler marched the German army In 1936 Hitler marched the German army

into the Rhineland violating the Treaty of into the Rhineland violating the Treaty of Versailles, in March 1938 German forces Versailles, in March 1938 German forces marched into Austria to complete the marched into Austria to complete the Anschluss making a union of all German-Anschluss making a union of all German-speaking people under one flag, in speaking people under one flag, in September 1938 Hitler demanded that September 1938 Hitler demanded that Czechoslovakia cede to him the Czechoslovakia cede to him the Sudetenland. Sudetenland.

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism Most Western nations Most Western nations

were appalled at the were appalled at the prospect of another war prospect of another war and were willing to pay and were willing to pay almost any price to almost any price to settle the crisis settle the crisis peacefully (it was in peacefully (it was in October 1937 that the October 1937 that the famous War of the famous War of the Worlds radio broadcast Worlds radio broadcast was made setting off a was made setting off a panic)panic)

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Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism Munich Conference – on September 29, Munich Conference – on September 29,

1937 Hitler met with the leaders of Britain 1937 Hitler met with the leaders of Britain and France in an effort to resolve crisis, the and France in an effort to resolve crisis, the French and the British agreed to accept the French and the British agreed to accept the German demands in Czechoslovakia in German demands in Czechoslovakia in return for Hitler s promise to expand no return for Hitler s promise to expand no further “This is the last territorial claim I further “This is the last territorial claim I have to make in Europe”.have to make in Europe”.


Chamberlain returned to Britain a hero Chamberlain returned to Britain a hero assuring the British that the agreement assuring the British that the agreement meant “peace on our time”, this policy meant “peace on our time”, this policy became known as appeasement, Hitler became known as appeasement, Hitler occupied Czechoslovakia in March of 1939 occupied Czechoslovakia in March of 1939 and in April Hitler began making threats and in April Hitler began making threats against Poland, Britain and France assured against Poland, Britain and France assured Poland that they would come to its defense Poland that they would come to its defense in the event of an invasionin the event of an invasion

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism The British and French attempted to draw The British and French attempted to draw

the Soviet Union into a mutual defense the Soviet Union into a mutual defense agreement, but Stalin had already decided agreement, but Stalin had already decided that he could expect no protection from the that he could expect no protection from the West, Stalin had not even been invited to the West, Stalin had not even been invited to the Munich Conference, Stalin signed a non-Munich Conference, Stalin signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler in August 1939aggression pact with Hitler in August 1939

Isolationism and InternationalismIsolationism and Internationalism September 1, 1939 September 1, 1939

Poland was invaded Poland was invaded by Germany, Britain by Germany, Britain and France declared and France declared war on Germany, war on Germany, and WWII had and WWII had begunbegun

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From Neutrality to InterventionFrom Neutrality to Intervention

““This nation will remain a neutral nation, This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well” – FDR remain neutral in thought as well” – FDR 1939, there was never any question that 1939, there was never any question that FDR and the majority of the American FDR and the majority of the American people favored Britain, France, and the people favored Britain, France, and the other Allied nations in WWIIother Allied nations in WWII


At the very least Roosevelt believed the US At the very least Roosevelt believed the US should make armaments available to the should make armaments available to the Allied armies to help them counter the highly Allied armies to help them counter the highly productive German munitions industry, in productive German munitions industry, in September 1939 FDR asked Congress for a September 1939 FDR asked Congress for a revision of the Neutrality Acts, specifically revision of the Neutrality Acts, specifically the provisions prohibiting the sale of US the provisions prohibiting the sale of US weapons to any nation engaged in war.weapons to any nation engaged in war.

From Neutrality to From Neutrality to InterventionIntervention

FDR wanted the arms embargo lifted, FDR wanted the arms embargo lifted, powerful isolationist opposition forced him powerful isolationist opposition forced him to accept a weaker revision that still to accept a weaker revision that still prohibited American ships from sailing into prohibited American ships from sailing into war zones but did allow the belligerents to war zones but did allow the belligerents to buy arms on the same cash-and-carry basis buy arms on the same cash-and-carry basis as nonmilitary materialsas nonmilitary materials


After the occupation of Poland the war settled into a After the occupation of Poland the war settled into a quiet lull (the “phony war”) that lasted through the quiet lull (the “phony war”) that lasted through the winter and spring of 1939 and 1940, the only real winter and spring of 1939 and 1940, the only real fighting occurred as the Soviets advanced on their fighting occurred as the Soviets advanced on their neighbors and occupied Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, neighbors and occupied Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Finland, most Americans were outraged but and Finland, most Americans were outraged but neither FDR nor Congress were willing to do more neither FDR nor Congress were willing to do more than impose a “moral embargo” on the shipment of than impose a “moral embargo” on the shipment of armaments to the Soviet Unionarmaments to the Soviet Union


In the spring of 1940 In the spring of 1940 Germany attacked Germany attacked Denmark, Norway, the Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Netherlands, Belgium, and into France, the blitzkrieg into France, the blitzkrieg was revolutionary in the was revolutionary in the history of warfare, on history of warfare, on June 22, 1940 France fell June 22, 1940 France fell to the Germansto the Germans


On May 16, 1940 FDR asked Congress for On May 16, 1940 FDR asked Congress for $1 billion for defense purposes, most of this $1 billion for defense purposes, most of this was spent on the new fleet of warplanes, was spent on the new fleet of warplanes, Churchill quickly sent a lengthy list of Churchill quickly sent a lengthy list of requests for ships and armaments without requests for ships and armaments without which England could not long survive.which England could not long survive.


Many Americans thought that the British Many Americans thought that the British plight was already hopeless (including the plight was already hopeless (including the US ambassador to London Joseph P. US ambassador to London Joseph P. Kennedy) and that any aid to the British Kennedy) and that any aid to the British was wasted effort, FDR made the politically was wasted effort, FDR made the politically dangerous decision to “scrape the bottom of dangerous decision to “scrape the bottom of the barrel” to make war materials available the barrel” to make war materials available to Churchillto Churchill


FDR traded 50 US destroyers left over from WWI to FDR traded 50 US destroyers left over from WWI to England in return for the right to build American England in return for the right to build American bases on British territory in the Western Hemisphere, bases on British territory in the Western Hemisphere, FDR also returned to the factories a number of new FDR also returned to the factories a number of new airplanes purchased by the American government so airplanes purchased by the American government so that the British could buy them instead, FDR could do that the British could buy them instead, FDR could do this because of a major change in American public this because of a major change in American public opinion, after the invasion of France 66% of the opinion, after the invasion of France 66% of the American people believed Germany posed a direct American people believed Germany posed a direct threat to the USthreat to the US


Congress was aware of the change and was Congress was aware of the change and was becoming more willing to permit expanded becoming more willing to permit expanded American assistance to the Allies, the American assistance to the Allies, the Burke-Wadsworth Act created the first Burke-Wadsworth Act created the first peacetime draft in American history in peacetime draft in American history in September 1940September 1940


A spirited and vicious debate broke out in the US in A spirited and vicious debate broke out in the US in the Spring of 1940 between the Interventionists who the Spring of 1940 between the Interventionists who advocated expanded American involvement in the advocated expanded American involvement in the war and the Isolationists who continued to insist on war and the Isolationists who continued to insist on neutrality, the Committee To Defend America neutrality, the Committee To Defend America (William Al1en White) advocated increased (William Al1en White) advocated increased American assistance to the Allies but opposed actual American assistance to the Allies but opposed actual intervention, the Fight for Freedom Committee intervention, the Fight for Freedom Committee urged an immediate declaration of warurged an immediate declaration of war


The America First The America First Committee (Robert E. Committee (Robert E. Wood, Charles Wood, Charles Lindbergh, Gerald Nye, Lindbergh, Gerald Nye, Hearst newspapers, most Hearst newspapers, most of the Republican Party) of the Republican Party) were opposed to any were opposed to any American intervention in American intervention in EuropeEurope


In the middle of this debate was the In the middle of this debate was the Presidential Election of 1940, the Democrats Presidential Election of 1940, the Democrats re-nominated Roosevelt and Harry Wal1ace re-nominated Roosevelt and Harry Wal1ace for vice-president, the Republicans for vice-president, the Republicans nominated political1y inexperienced nominated political1y inexperienced Wendell Willkie, Roosevelt won decisively Wendell Willkie, Roosevelt won decisively 55% to 45% in the popular vote and 449 to 55% to 45% in the popular vote and 449 to 82 in the Electoral College82 in the Electoral College


In December 1940, FDR announced a new policy, In December 1940, FDR announced a new policy, “Lend-Lease” would al1ow the government not “Lend-Lease” would al1ow the government not only to sel1 but to lend or lease armaments to any only to sel1 but to lend or lease armaments to any nation deemed “vital to the defense of the United nation deemed “vital to the defense of the United States”, this allowed FDR to funnel weapons to States”, this allowed FDR to funnel weapons to Britain on the basis of no more than Britain’s Britain on the basis of no more than Britain’s promise to return or pay for them after the war, promise to return or pay for them after the war, isolationists attacked this bill but it passed isolationists attacked this bill but it passed Congress easilyCongress easily


German submarines were sinking 500,000 tons of German submarines were sinking 500,000 tons of shipping each month and Britain was losing ships shipping each month and Britain was losing ships more rapidly than they could replace them, it was more rapidly than they could replace them, it was getting very difficult for the British to get the vital getting very difficult for the British to get the vital supplies they needed from the US, FDR decided supplies they needed from the US, FDR decided that the US would practice “hemispheric defense” that the US would practice “hemispheric defense” which would allow the US navy to defend ships in which would allow the US navy to defend ships in the western Atlantic.the western Atlantic.


By July 1941 US navy ships were patrolling By July 1941 US navy ships were patrolling as far east as Iceland escorting convoys of as far east as Iceland escorting convoys of merchant ships and radioing information to merchant ships and radioing information to British vessels about the location of German British vessels about the location of German submarinessubmarines


In June of 1941 Hitler In June of 1941 Hitler broke the Nazi-Soviet broke the Nazi-Soviet pact and attacked the pact and attacked the Soviet Union , FDR Soviet Union , FDR persuaded Congress persuaded Congress to America extended to America extended its lend lease policy to its lend lease policy to the Soviet Union.the Soviet Union.


In September of 1941 a German submarine fired In September of 1941 a German submarine fired on the American destroyer Greer (which was on the American destroyer Greer (which was radioing the position of the sub at the time), FDR radioing the position of the sub at the time), FDR responded by ordering American ships to fire on responded by ordering American ships to fire on German submarines “on sight”, in October of German submarines “on sight”, in October of 1941 the Reuben James was sunk by a German 1941 the Reuben James was sunk by a German submarine and Congress voted approval of a submarine and Congress voted approval of a measure allowing the US to arm its merchant measure allowing the US to arm its merchant vessels and to sail all the way into belligerent vessels and to sail all the way into belligerent ports, the US had in effect launched a naval war ports, the US had in effect launched a naval war against Germanyagainst Germany


In August 1941, FDR and Churchill met onboard a In August 1941, FDR and Churchill met onboard a British vessel off the coast of Newfoundland and British vessel off the coast of Newfoundland and released the Atlantic Charter which set out “certain released the Atlantic Charter which set out “certain common principles” on which to base “a better common principles” on which to base “a better future for the world”, it was basically a statement of future for the world”, it was basically a statement of war that cal1ed for “the final destruction of the Nazi war that cal1ed for “the final destruction of the Nazi tyranny”, FDR remained convinced that public tyranny”, FDR remained convinced that public opinion would support a declaration of war only in opinion would support a declaration of war only in the event of an actual enemy attackthe event of an actual enemy attack


In September 1940 Japan signed the In September 1940 Japan signed the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy which was a loose defensive alliance that which was a loose defensive alliance that seemed to extended the Axis into Asiaseemed to extended the Axis into Asia


In July 1941 Japan moved into Indochina and In July 1941 Japan moved into Indochina and seized the capital of Vietnam, the US had broken seized the capital of Vietnam, the US had broken all of Japan’s codes and knew that the next target all of Japan’s codes and knew that the next target of Japan was the Dutch East Indies, when Japan of Japan was the Dutch East Indies, when Japan failed to heed FDR’s stern warnings the president failed to heed FDR’s stern warnings the president froze all Japanese assets in the US and established froze all Japanese assets in the US and established a complete trade embargo that severely limited a complete trade embargo that severely limited Japan’s ability to purchase essential supplies Japan’s ability to purchase essential supplies (especially oil)(especially oil)


Japan now faced a choice, either repair relations with Japan now faced a choice, either repair relations with the US to restore the flow of supplies or it would have the US to restore the flow of supplies or it would have find those supplies elsewhere (British and Dutch find those supplies elsewhere (British and Dutch possessions in the Pacific), the Japanese Prime possessions in the Pacific), the Japanese Prime Minister requested a personal meeting with FDR but Minister requested a personal meeting with FDR but the US rebuffed the overture saying they would only the US rebuffed the overture saying they would only meet if Japan would give guarantees in advance that meet if Japan would give guarantees in advance that it would respect the territorial integrity of China, it would respect the territorial integrity of China, negotiations broke off and the situation quickly negotiations broke off and the situation quickly deteriorateddeteriorated


On November 27, 1941 Secretary of State Hull On November 27, 1941 Secretary of State Hull cabled Secretary of War Stimson “I have washed cabled Secretary of War Stimson “I have washed my hands of the Japanese situation, and now it is my hands of the Japanese situation, and now it is in the hands of you and Knox (the Secretary of the in the hands of you and Knox (the Secretary of the Navy), the Army and the Navy”, US intelligence Navy), the Army and the Navy”, US intelligence had already decoded Japanese messages which had already decoded Japanese messages which made clear that war was imminent, that after made clear that war was imminent, that after November 29 an attack would only be a matter of November 29 an attack would only be a matter of daysdays


Most US officials assumed that an attack Most US officials assumed that an attack would not be against American territory would not be against American territory but rather British or Dutch territory in the but rather British or Dutch territory in the South Pacific, a large Japanese convoy was South Pacific, a large Japanese convoy was moving southward through the China Sea moving southward through the China Sea while a smaller Japanese fleet moved east while a smaller Japanese fleet moved east from the Kurile Islands in the general from the Kurile Islands in the general direction of Hawaiidirection of Hawaii


7:55 AM on Sunday, December 7, 1941 7:55 AM on Sunday, December 7, 1941 a wave of Japanese bombers taking off a wave of Japanese bombers taking off from aircraft carriers attacked the US from aircraft carriers attacked the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, within 2 naval base at Pearl Harbor, within 2 hours the US lost 8 battleships, 3 hours the US lost 8 battleships, 3 cruisers, 4 other vessels, 188 airplanes, cruisers, 4 other vessels, 188 airplanes, and other shore installations, more and other shore installations, more than 2,000 US soldiers and sailors died than 2,000 US soldiers and sailors died in the attack, none of the American in the attack, none of the American aircraft carriers had been at Pearl aircraft carriers had been at Pearl Harbor at the time of the attack.Harbor at the time of the attack.


““Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a day which will Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a day which will live in infamy – the United States of America was live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan” with 4 and air forces of the Empire of Japan” with 4 hours the Senate had voted unanimously and hours the Senate had voted unanimously and House 388 to 1 (the lone dissenter was Jeannette House 388 to 1 (the lone dissenter was Jeannette Rankin of Montana who had voted against WWI Rankin of Montana who had voted against WWI as well) to approve a declaration of war against as well) to approve a declaration of war against JapanJapan

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