FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT AND THE SHADOW OF WAR—
1933-1941Chapter 34
The London Conference Roosevelt’s willing to be an isolationist if it would
help the domestic economy. 66 nations meet. Purpose and primary goal? Roosevelt pulls the rug out from underneath the
conference and nothing is accomplished Results:
World depression gets worse and everyone pursues their own policies.
Leads to an increase in nationalism. Reduces chances for international cooperation on
other issues
Philippines and Russia
US ready to give up the Philippines Tydings-McDuffie Act in 1934—Provided
for the independence of the Philippines after a twelve-year period of economic tutelage (1946).Gave up army bases, but keep Naval bases
1933 US recognized the Bolshevik regime in USSR. Anticommunists and Catholics objected.
Becoming A Good Neighbor Roosevelt’s Good
Neighbor Policy (content to be a regional power, not world)
Policy receives a test in 1938 when Mexicans seize American oil properties.
Policy was a great success- improved image
Rise of Hitler in Germany Germans economically crushed
by Versailles treaty. Desperate and resentful
Hitler a powerful orator and politically aggressive
Germany has a potent industrial base and technological talent.
US made things worse by refusing to ratify the league of nations, thus eliminating the moral strength of that body.
Japan and Italy Japan also a growing threat.
Resentful. Growing increasingly militaristic Lusted after space and resources of
neighbors. 1934 terminated the naval Treaty and
started aggressively building navy. 1935 Mussolini attacks Ethiopia.
Easily crushes it. Seeking glory and empire for Italy in
Africa League of Nation reaction?
Isolationism Why didn’t America Act?
Distracted by the depression Vividly recall the losses of
WWI feel safe behind the protection
of two oceans, largely believed that what
happened in the rest of the world didn’t effect them.
Rise of fascists increased desire to avoid entanglement..
Johnson Debt Default Act –no more borrowing!
Better Keep to the Old Channel
Congress Legislates Neutrality
Who does the public now blame for WWI?
Congress passes Neutrality Acts in 1935, 36 and ’37
Basic Rule?
Effect of Neutrality Acts
Is an abandonment of Americas traditional policy of freedom of the high seas and the right of Americans to ship to both sides in a war.
Effectively removed America from the arena as an agent that can stop or blunt war and aggression. Made America reactive and at the mercy of world events.
Encouraged totalitarian regimes and hurt democratic ones, because they received no aid from US.
America Dooms Loyalist Spain The Spanish Civil War (1936-39)
shows fallacy of Neutrality policy Franco and other fascist rebels tried
to overthrow the left-leaning but democratic government of Spain. Franco is aided by Hitler and Mussolini.
Congress prohibits aid to EITHER side.
Condemns democratic Spain to slow strangulation
Dictators believe that Democracies will not take action to stop them.
Appeasing Japan
1937 Japan invades Manchuria with the intent of making it a Japanese colony. Roosevelt refuses to call this a war.
Fall 1937 Roosevelt makes famous Quarantine Speech
Dec. 1937, USS Panay. (Japanese attack on ship)
Japan abuses Americans in China. Thinks US wimpy
Hitler on the Rise 1935 breaches Versailles treaty by reintroducing the
draft. 1936 marches troops into the demilitarized Rhineland
Britain and France reaction. Hitler begins to persecute and discriminate against the
Jews. 1937 starts building the military at an aggressive pace, March 1938 Hitler marches without resistance into
Austria Hitler then begins making demands for the Sudetenland
Munich Conference
Allies desperate to avoid war.
Munich Conference 9/38 Democracies have no real
leverage. Appeasement Germany gets
Sudetenland. Neville Chamberlain:
“Peace in our time”
Hitler-Stalin Pact France-England attempt to negotiate a
mutual defense pact with Stalin. August, 1939, Stalin-Hitler sign a non-
aggression pact.Seals the fate of Europe. Poland.
Hitler’s demand on Poland.
WWII Begins Poland refuses and
Germany marches in unleashing its Blitzkrieg 9/1/39.
WWI has begun. Stalin moves into Eastern
Poland England and France
declare war, but can’t do much about Poland, which surrenders in three weeks.
US Reaction to Fall of Poland
Roosevelt issues proclamation of hostilities.
US attitude toward war. Roosevelt wants to amend Neutrality ActsKnows that European democracies are
woefully unprepared and will not win on their own.
Wants to lift the arms-sale restrictions entirely. But, knows that neither the nation nor
Congress is ready for that.
Cash and Carry
FDR calls a special session of Congress; passes Neutrality Act of 1939Cash-and-CarrySelling point of Cash and Carry?
Purchases from England and France help lift US economy
Hitler Runs Amok April 1940 Hitler attacks Denmark and Norway. May attacks Netherlands and Belgium, then
France. June 1940 France is forced to surrender Miracle of Dunkirk
Very significant because saves a huge chunk of British army.
US shocked by quick fall of France Impact on public attitude Threat to US of German domination Europe
US Starts to Arm
FDR calls for building of huge air fleet and a two-ocean navy that would check both Germany and Japan.
Congress approves 37 Billion More than the cost of WWI and 5-times larger than
any annual budget for New Deal. Congress passes a conscription law, Sept. 1940.
America’s first peace-time draft. Havana Conference of 1940
Battle of Britain
August 1940 Battle of Britain begins
Battle rages for months.
German advantages British advantages. British planes chew
up Luftwaffe
Battle of Britain in US
Edward R. Murrow. Impact of radio reports on
Battle of Britain on US public opinion.
Hitler eventually indefinitely postpones invasion—huge mistake.
Fortress America?
Issue: Whether to provide scarce resources to GB or to husband all resources so that available to US
Destroyer Deal
British in desperate need of destroyers. Destroyer Deal: U.S. transfers 50 old
destroyers to Britain in exchange for use of eight British Atlantic bases.
Isolationists scream Is a clear departure from neutrality But public opinion supported all aid to GB
short of war.
Wilkie?
In 1940 Republicans nominate Wendell Wilkie.
Wilkie does not exploit resentment against FDR among isolationists
FDR Three-peat
FDR keeps the country in suspense, but decides to run for a third term.
FDR pledges that “Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.”
FDR wins easily, but not as triumphantly as the first two times.
FDR might not have won if not for war. Also might not have run.
Lend-Lease By late 1940 Cash and Carry not
working for Britain. Why? FDR knows that Congress will not
approve cash loans to allies. Proposes Lend-lease. How does it
work? FDR proposes making the US the
arsenal of democracy. This bill is vigorously debated
throughout the nation. Passes in March, 1941. Was a clear
declaration of hostility to Hitler. May, 1941 Germans sink first US
merchant ship
Atlantic Charter June 1941 Hitler invades the Soviet Union and
opens up a second front in his rear. Takes the pressure off GB and divides his army. Soviets are on the edge of defeat.
Roosevelt extends lend-Lease to Soviets. Extends 1 Bill. of what will eventually be 11 Billion.
Atlantic Conference-8/41. First of a series of meetings between Churchill and Roosevelt.
Atlantic Charter Leads to 8-point plan for
post-war world. Atlantic Charter. Similar to Wilson’s 14 points Pledges that countries will
not have borders changed Self determination and
return to pre-war governments
League of nations type organization.
U.S. Destroyers And Hitler’s U-boats
Lend-Lease to GB was faltering. FDR response. Clashes with Subs— 9/41—Greer attacked without damage 10/41—Kearny attacked but not sunk 10/41—Reuben James sunk with loss of more
than 100. Congress pulls Neutrality legislation and
authorizes the arming of Merchant ships.
In the meantime……out in the Pacific Japan is mired in China. US is pressuring them to get
out, Japan is heavily dependent on US steel, oil, gasoline
and other war supplies. If US cuts them off, Japan is toast.
FDR reluctant to impose sanctions. Late 1940 US does impose sanctions. 1941 freeze Japanese assets and ends all oil shipments. Japan’s choices US has broken code and knows that Japan plans to
attack somewhere. Warnings from US to Pearl Harbor are late in arriving.
Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 Japanese aircraft carriers
launch waves of attack planes. Destroy most of US Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor. 8 battleships, most of aircraft, 3000 casualties. But, three US carriers were out to sea and were
spared. Japanese failed to destroy repair facilities, allowing
US to stay at Pearl and repair the fleet. Big mistake. Next day—Congress declares war. Japan and Germany are allies—Germany and
Italy then declare war on US. U.S. declares war on Germany. We are in.
FDR Signs Declaration of War