U.S. Foreign Policy 1930s

From Neutral to non-belligerent to belligerent

On your post-it

Write your class period

Write a question about the origins and beginning years of WWII in Europe and/or Asia. (This should be a question that is NOT answered in the book.)

Eg: (fr. Pg 539) Why was Germany so militarily strong despite the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles?

History is NOT black and white

Read the description of U.S. sentiment in the beginning years of U.S. involvement in WWII.

◦Underline statements that reveal the “gray” of history. Eg: “most” rather than “all” people

◦When does American consensus build for inolvement?

◦Explain the significance of the last sentence.

FDR’s Foreign Policy Background

Sec’y of Navy under Wilson

1928 blamed Rep. isolationism

1930s-free trade & disarmament◦Eg:Recogn. Russia

Trade is focus of Foreign Policy(1928-1935)

Pan-Americanism◦1933-conference◦Cordell Hull (Sec’y

State)◦No-intervention

Compromises◦U.S. business

w/dictators◦Reciprocal trade

agreementsUS LA Trade Increase

1935-1937: Congress passed neutrality acts

Nye Committee- WWI for business interests

Neutrality Acts◦No loans◦No travel on ships of belligerent nations◦No arms sales to belligerents

Cash & Carry◦Permitted trade of non-military

US neutrality w/regard to Spa Civil War

Spanish Civil WarU.S. inaction despite challenge to values

Nationalism v. Republicanism

1939-1941: U.S. is non-belligerent

1937-FDR speaks against inactionGov’t Focus on Japanese invasion of China

◦Supply China◦Embargo against Japan by 1941

Americans see events as too remote◦Protestors◦Media charges Pres w/ being internationalist

FDR estab. Committee to Defend AmericaFDR re-elected after reacting to accusation

of warmonger

America First

America First is described as an anti-war group. How is this misleading?

Mobilizing for War

In groups of 4…◦Examine sources and answer the questionsQuestions from docs should be in your notes. As a group, answer these to turn in…

◦Political Mobilization What was FDR’s method of political mobilization?

◦Government Spending What was the significance of the gov’t spending during

WWII?◦Manufacturing Shifts

How were shifts in manufacturing similar to WWI?◦Demographic Shifts

How were demographic shifts similar to WWI?

Arsenal of Democracy

Read FDR’s speech “Great Arsenal of Democracy”◦How have the events in Euro and Asia

threatened American interests?◦What actions does Roosevelt propose?

Dec. 7th 1941

Immediate Consequences

1941◦U.S. & Britain declared war on Japan◦Germany declared war on U.S.

1942◦Japanese Americans sent to relocation centers

For Homework…

Watch “Civilians at War”◦Link under “U.S. History Links”

◦View segments 1, 2 & 3 and answer the questions