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Chapter 28: AMERICA IN A WORLD AT WAR
Q #1DQ #4: Describe and explain the process by which American public opinion gradually
shifted from a policy of neutrality in 1935 to one of intervention in 1941.
I.
II.
Churchill
III.
Policy of Neutrality (1935):
“This nation will remain a neutral nation but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well”
A. Neutrality Acts (1935, 1936, 1937)
o FDR attempt to revise Neutrality Acts to sell armaments to Allies weakened by isolationist sentiment
o Cash-and-carry policy (nonmilitary goods) now applies to arms to belligerents
B. Moral Embargo
o Shipments of armaments to Russia who annexed Baltic states (Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania) and invade Finland
C. America First Committee
o Chairman= Robert E. Wood (ex-president of Sears Roebuck); other members = Nye, Hearst (news), Lindberg
o Support by majority of Republican Party, Nazi sympathizers, anti-Semites
Progressing towards Policy of Intervention (1941)
A. Fall of France (June 22, 1940)
o Spring of 1940- German invade west (Denmark, Norway  Netherlands, Belgium  France)
o June 10 – Mussolini (Italy) enters France- invade from south while Hitler from North  Nazi march in Paris
o Futile resistance to blitzkrieg  Brit. army rescued by military and civilian vessel (i.e. boats) from Dunkirk
B. Public Opinion
o 1940: FDR ask and receive $1 billion for defense quickly and easily (a couple of weeks before Fall of France)
o Opinion shift to believe Germany was direct threat to U.S especially after France (66% of public)  aid to Allies
o Burke-Wadsworth Act – first peacetime military draft (prepare for war – September 1940)
o Swayed by propaganda, newspapers (Hearst- isolationist) (after Pearl Harbor- capitalize on attack- unite nation)
C. Winston Churchill - British
o Prime minister lists of requests for ships, armaments, assistance (gets 50 destroyers – WWI leftovers)
o FDR circumvent cash-and-carry part in Neutrality Act  trade for right to build US bases on Brit. Territory in West
D. Committee to Defend America
o Increase American assistance to Allies but oppose actual intervention  William Allen White = chairman
o In response- those who urged an immediate declaration of war became Fight for Freedom Committee
E. Third-Term Elections
o FDR= coy, not share intentions choose Wallace as VP (previous Sec. of Agriculture—too liberal)
o Rep, party  Wendell Willkie (businessman) - FDR’s strategy- evoke voter enthusiasm, unclear about war
o Although elections closer than 1932 or 1936, FDR decisively won (55% 449 votes to 45% 82 votes)
Policy of Intervention (1941)
Willkie
A. Lend-Lease Program
o End of 1940, Britain bankrupt – no more cash-carry policy
o New L-L program allow gov’t sell and lend/lease arms to a nation which seems fit  US involve in economy
o US shipping to transport supplies German subs destroy ½ million tons shipping per month  British convoys
o Hemispheric Defense- US defend transport ships in western Atlantic (neutral zone), patrol along coast
B. USSR
o Fall of 1941 Nazi-Soviet Pact broken – Germ. invade Russia :: US extend L-L to Russ.  Soviet- Amer. alliance
C. Atlantic Charter
o Fight between Nazi submarines and American vessels (Germans fire and attack American Greer, Reuben James)
Congress allow merchant vessels to be armed and sail into belligerent ports  naval war against Germany
o Secret strategy that US to enter into war  August 1941- FDR and Churchill off coast of Newfoundland release AC
o Common principles- basis of better future for world = war aims to destroy Nazi tyranny
D. Tripartite Pact
o Britain and France occupied, Japan extend empire in Pacific  loose alliance with German and Italy
o Japan continued to move into Indochina, Vietnam despite FDR’s warnings  US embargo and froze Jap. Assets
o Prince Konoye attempt to negotiate w/ US but did not have enough control of own gov’t overthrown in Oct.
o General Hideki Tojo- new gov’t willing to negotiate but not compromise about China  WAR!
E. Pearl Harbor
o 7:55 AM December 7, 1941 Jap. Bombers attack US naval base (2nd wave an hour later)
o No precautions- ships & airplanes = defenselesslose 8 battleships, 3 cruisers, 4 vessels, 188 planes, 2000 soldiers
o Unify American ppl- committed now to war December 8;war against Japan Dec. 11th, against Germ. and Italy
CONCLUSION: Despite much initial opposition to intervention in the earlier years leading up to an international crisis, FDR
found intervention in foreign affairs inevitable both because of his own friendships with Britain and the actions of Germany
and other Axis Powers. As Germany and Italy gained control of France and became more belligerent, the United States sided
with the Allies and Russia. Through the Lend-Lease program and other assistance from the US, other nations supported US
intervention. Ultimately, the attack on Pearl Harbor officially united the American citizens behind of policy of intervention.