Franklin D. Roosevelt & Franklin D. Roosevelt & the Shadow of Warthe Shadow of War

1933-19411933-1941

(Chapter 35)(Chapter 35)

1) The Purpose of the 1) The Purpose of the London London Economic ConferenceEconomic Conference (Summer of (Summer of 1933)1933)

66 nations attended66 nations attended Purpose was to attack the global depression Purpose was to attack the global depression

(an eagerness to stabilize national (an eagerness to stabilize national currencies and thus revive int’l trade.)currencies and thus revive int’l trade.)

FDR was FDR was opposedopposed to an international to an international agreement on currency. agreement on currency. Why?Why?

U.S. actions here plunged the world deeper U.S. actions here plunged the world deeper into isolationism and nationalism.into isolationism and nationalism.

2) 2) Why did FDR officially recognize Why did FDR officially recognize Russia in 1933Russia in 1933??

Because of its power and size (trade Because of its power and size (trade partner and possible military ally)partner and possible military ally)

Hitler was on the rise in Germany & Hitler was on the rise in Germany & Japan was stirring things up in the Japan was stirring things up in the Far East.Far East.

3) 3) Freedom for the Philippines in 1934Freedom for the Philippines in 1934 (Tydings-McDuffie Act)(Tydings-McDuffie Act)

Because of the depression, American Because of the depression, American taxpayers & organized labor put pressure taxpayers & organized labor put pressure on the government to let the Philippines on the government to let the Philippines go.go.

Americans were trying to “free” Americans were trying to “free” themselves of the Filipino burden.themselves of the Filipino burden.

This cost America “face” in the Far East.This cost America “face” in the Far East. Provided a boost to Japanese ambitions in Provided a boost to Japanese ambitions in

the Far East.the Far East.

4) 4) “Good Neighbors”“Good Neighbors” for Latin for Latin AmericaAmerica

Why? The U.S. was eager to line up Why? The U.S. was eager to line up allies to help defend the western allies to help defend the western hemisphere.hemisphere.

Policy emphasized consultation and Policy emphasized consultation and non-intervention in Latin American non-intervention in Latin American affairs.affairs.

Involved a repeal of TR’s corollary to Involved a repeal of TR’s corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.the Monroe Doctrine.

5) The Beliefs of 5) The Beliefs of Cordell Cordell HullHull

Secretary of State who believed in Secretary of State who believed in low low tariffstariffs because trade is a “two-way” street. because trade is a “two-way” street. (Can only sell abroad if you buy abroad.) (Can only sell abroad if you buy abroad.)

Believed that trade wars beget shooting Believed that trade wars beget shooting wars.wars.

Reciprocal Trade AgreementsReciprocal Trade Agreements (1934) (1934) We lower tariff rates, they lower tariff rates by We lower tariff rates, they lower tariff rates by

the same %.the same %. This reversed the “traditional” high-tariff policy This reversed the “traditional” high-tariff policy

of the U.S. which existed since the Civil War of the U.S. which existed since the Civil War and paved the way for the post-WWII free trade and paved the way for the post-WWII free trade international economic system.international economic system.

6) The Rise of 6) The Rise of TotalitarianismTotalitarianism

““the individual is nothing, the state is the individual is nothing, the state is everything”everything”

Germany – Hitler (1933)Germany – Hitler (1933) Italy – Mussolini (1922)Italy – Mussolini (1922) Japan – TojoJapan – Tojo Caused a Caused a boostboost to American to American

isolationismisolationism

7) The 7) The Neutrality ActsNeutrality Acts

Congress responded to overwhelming Congress responded to overwhelming popular pressure and attempted to popular pressure and attempted to actually “legislate” us out of war.actually “legislate” us out of war.

Neutrality Acts of 1935,36,37Neutrality Acts of 1935,36,37 When the President proclaimed the existence When the President proclaimed the existence

of a foreign war, certain restrictions would of a foreign war, certain restrictions would automatically take effect:automatically take effect:

1.1. No American could sail on a belligerent ship.No American could sail on a belligerent ship.2.2. No American could sell or transport munitions to a No American could sell or transport munitions to a

belligerent.belligerent.3.3. No American could make loans to a belligerent.No American could make loans to a belligerent.

7) The 7) The Neutrality ActsNeutrality Acts: : cont.cont.

This marked an abandonment of the This marked an abandonment of the traditional policy of freedom of the seas.traditional policy of freedom of the seas.

Acts were of dubious morality because Acts were of dubious morality because they made no distinction between they made no distinction between brutal aggressors (Hitler) and innocent brutal aggressors (Hitler) and innocent victims (Luxembourg)victims (Luxembourg)

These These incrediblyincredibly stupidstupid acts actually acts actually tipped the scales in favor of the tipped the scales in favor of the dictators.dictators.

8) 8) The “Appeasement” of The “Appeasement” of HitlerHitler

1935 – Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles by 1935 – Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles by announcing compulsory military service in Germany.announcing compulsory military service in Germany.

1936 – Hitler invades the Rhineland (another violation of 1936 – Hitler invades the Rhineland (another violation of the Treaty of Versailles)the Treaty of Versailles)

1937 – FDR gives his 1937 – FDR gives his “Quarantine Speech“Quarantine Speech”” in Chicago in Chicago (calls for economic embargoes of Japan and Spain.(calls for economic embargoes of Japan and Spain.

March 1938 – Hitler annexed AustriaMarch 1938 – Hitler annexed Austria Later 1938 – Hitler takes the SudetenlandLater 1938 – Hitler takes the Sudetenland Later yet in 1938 – Hitler is Later yet in 1938 – Hitler is “appeased”“appeased” at the at the MunichMunich

ConferenceConference by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain who claims “who claims “I have preserved peace for our timeI have preserved peace for our time” - What a ” - What a gutless excuse for a man!!!!!!gutless excuse for a man!!!!!!

6 months later, Hitler takes the 6 months later, Hitler takes the restrest of Czechoslovakia. of Czechoslovakia.

9) 9) The Effect of the Soviet-The Effect of the Soviet-German “non-aggression” pact German “non-aggression” pact

of 1939of 1939 Meant that Hitler could now focus on

Poland and western Europe without having to worry about a Soviet attack from the East.

10) 10) Germany Invades Poland (Sept. 1939)

Caused Britain and France to declare war on Nazi Germany.

Marked the beginning of WW II in Europe.

Triggers a neutrality debate in the U.S. Neutrality Act of 1939

Permits the U.S. to sell goods to its allies on a “cash and carry” basis. (The hope was that America would avoid loans, war debts, and torpedoed ships.)

11) 11) The Fall of FranceThe Fall of France (June (June 1940)1940)

In April of 1940, Hitler overran Denmark and In April of 1940, Hitler overran Denmark and Norway. (ends the “phony war” – lull after the Norway. (ends the “phony war” – lull after the invasion of Poland)invasion of Poland)

May 1940 – Netherlands and Belgium fall to May 1940 – Netherlands and Belgium fall to Germany.Germany.

June 1940 – June 1940 – France falls to the NazisFrance falls to the Nazis France’s fall shocked Americans France’s fall shocked Americans outout of their of their

isolationist daydreams.isolationist daydreams. U.S. begins to increase military production.U.S. begins to increase military production. Congress appropriates $37 billion in the year following Congress appropriates $37 billion in the year following

the fall of France. (That is more than the total cost of the fall of France. (That is more than the total cost of WW I and is 5x larger than any New Deal budget.)WW I and is 5x larger than any New Deal budget.)

12) 12) The Battle of Britain The Battle of Britain

August 1940 – July 1941August 1940 – July 1941 Churchill vows “We Shall Never Churchill vows “We Shall Never

Surrender”Surrender” Triggers a debate in the U.S.:Triggers a debate in the U.S.:

Help Britain or hunker down and take a Help Britain or hunker down and take a defensive posturedefensive posture

The The Destroyer DealDestroyer Deal (September (September 1940)1940)

13) FDR Breaks the “Two-13) FDR Breaks the “Two-Term Tradition” in 1940Term Tradition” in 1940

Challenged by recently-converted Challenged by recently-converted Republican Wendell WillkieRepublican Wendell Willkie

FDR was 1) experienced and 2) knew FDR was 1) experienced and 2) knew the Allied leaders of Europethe Allied leaders of Europe

** Japan joined the Nazis in Sept. ** Japan joined the Nazis in Sept. 19401940

14) The 14) The Lend-Lease ActLend-Lease Act

Approved by Congress in March of 1941Approved by Congress in March of 1941 Lend-lease conceptLend-lease concept Made America the “arsenal of Made America the “arsenal of

democracy”democracy” Before it ended in 1945, America sent Before it ended in 1945, America sent

$50 billion of arms and equipment to $50 billion of arms and equipment to our European Alliesour European Allies

**** **** Ends the neutrality of the U.S.Ends the neutrality of the U.S.

15) Germany Invades the Soviet 15) Germany Invades the Soviet Union (June 1941)Union (June 1941)

Hitler breaks the non-aggression pact Hitler breaks the non-aggression pact and launches a massive attack on and launches a massive attack on the Soviet Union.the Soviet Union.

A HUGE BLOODBATH!!!!!A HUGE BLOODBATH!!!!!

16) 16) The Atlantic CharterThe Atlantic Charter (Aug. 1941)(Aug. 1941)

FDR & Churchill met on a ship off the FDR & Churchill met on a ship off the coast of Newfoundland.coast of Newfoundland.

Agreement on war strategy and Agreement on war strategy and plans for the post-war world (plans for the post-war world (Beat Beat Hitler 1Hitler 1stst !!!) !!!)

Laid groundwork for the Laid groundwork for the United United NationsNations

17) 17) The Attack on Pearl The Attack on Pearl

HarborHarbor December 7December 7thth, 1941 - “a day which , 1941 - “a day which

will live in infamy.”will live in infamy.” Triggered by a U.S.-led embargo of Triggered by a U.S.-led embargo of

steel, scrap-iron, & oil to Japansteel, scrap-iron, & oil to Japan