Transcript American Foreign Policy, 1919-1941

American Foreign Policy, 1919-1941
Why did the U.S. enter
World War II?
Return to “Normalcy”
America’s present need is not heroics, but
healing; not nostrums, but normalcy; not
revolution, but restoration… not
submergence in internationality, but
sustainment in triumphant nationality.
- Warren G. Harding
Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936
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Outlawed arms sales to nations at war
Outlawed loans to nations at war
Outlawed shipment of materials to nations at
war
FDR’s “Quarantine” speech (1937)

After Germany, Japan, and Italy signed
alliance treaty, and a pledge of mutual
support against the Soviet Union (which
the US had recognized in 1933), FDR
called for an international quarantine of
aggressor nations.
“Cash and Carry”

Nations at war could
buy supplies other
than munitions from
the U.S., but they
would have to pay up
front and carry
supplies on their own
ships.
First Peacetime Draft (1940)
Destroyers for Bases Deal (1940)
Lend-Lease Act (1941)
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
Permitted the President of the United States
to "sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease,
lend, or otherwise dispose of, to any such
government [whose defense the President
deems vital to the defense of the United
States] any defense article".
US becomeS “ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY”
The Atlantic Charter (1941)

a published statement
agreed between Britain and
the U.S. It was intended as
the blueprint for the world
after the War, and turned out
to be the foundation for
many of the international
treaties and organizations
that currently shape the
world.
Japan Bombs Pearl Harbor
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1940 - Japan joined Axis Powers
FDR bans exporting steel and oil to Japan
“Surprise” attack on Pearl Harbor
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–
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US expected attack, had broken Japanese codes
2,400 Americans killed
December 8, 1941 – US Congress declared war
on Japan
–
3 days later, Germany and Italy declared war on US