Chapter 25 Nora Keller
American Isolationists (Continued)
Spanish Civil War
-outbreak of civil war 1936 (fascism-led by General Francisco Franco VS. republicanism)
-Franco prevailed and established military dictatorship
America First Committee
-isolationists alarmed by Roosevelts pro-British policies...formed Am. First Comm. to mobilize
the public against war
Prelude to War
Appeasement-allowing Hitler to get away with relatively small acts of aggression/expansion to
stay out of war
(1) Ethiopia, 1935: Mussolini and the Italians take over Ethiopia
(2) Rhineland, 1936: was supposed to be permanently demilitarized under the Treaty of
Versailles...Hitler openly defied by having German troops go there
(3) China, 1937- war between Japan and China erupted 1937...Japan bombed and sunk a
US gunboat in China. Japans apology quickly accepted by US
(4) Sudetenland, 1938- Hitler takes part of Czechoslovakia unopposed by British or
French after a meeting in Munich
U.S. Response
-Roosevelt sees dangers of Fascist aggression, but is limited by isolationist feelings of majority
of Americans
Preparedness
-Roosevelt proposed an arms buildup...military and naval budgets increased
-some isolationists accepted thinking it would be used only to protect against possible invasion
FROM NEUTRALITY TO WAR, 1939-1941
Outbreak of War in Europe
Invasion of Poland (WWII begins)
-1939 Germany invades PolandBritain and France declared war
-Then Italy and Japan enter war
Blitzkrieg
-air power and fast moving tanks
-Only Great Britain remains free of German troops
Changing US Policy
-Roosevelt chips away at neutrality acts
Cash and Carry: ALL warring countries can buy ammo and such if they pay cash and bring it
back on their own ships (Benefits British in that THEY were the ones who had the cash
and SHIPS to carry it)
Selective Service Act (1940): compulsory military service...basically a draft
Destroyers-for-bases Deal: US trades 50 ships to Britain for a base in the Virgin Islands (US
didnt really need...this was all a farce to not upset isolationists)
Election of 1940
Roosevelt wins...serves third term
Arsenal of Democracy
Four Freedoms- Roosevelt said US lending money to Britain for the purchase of war materials
was justified because it was in defense of four freedoms-freedom of speech, religion, from
want, and from fear
Lend-Lease Act- permitting Britain to obtain all US arms on credit
Atlantic Charter- secret meeting with Britain (Winston Churchill) on a boat and decided at the
end of war: SELF DETERMINATION (end imperialism)
Shoot on Sight-US protecting Brit ships from submarine attack carrying lend-lease materials
from US...American destroyer attacked by a German sub...Roosevelt ordered the Navy to attack
all German ships on sight. So US was not fighting an undeclared naval war against Germany
VOCAB: Nora Keller
(defined within outline)
Spanish Civil War
America First Committee
Appeasement
Destroyers-for-bases Deal
Cash and Carry
Lend-Lease Act
Atlantic Charter
SO WHAT Nora Keller
1) Changing US policy: FDR was slowly bringing America from neutrality to war. There
was a facade to fool the American public and isolationists. The Cash and Carry,
Destroyer Deal, Lend-Lease, and Atlantic Charter were all moving toward war and in
favor of Britain. The sneakiness was all to keep the American public feeling safe
2) The election of 1940: Roosevelts third term broke the precedence set by Washington. He
was officially the first to break the two-term tradition. Important factors of his reelection
were: a strong economic recovery based on defense purchases and fear of war causing
voters to stay with the more experienced leader.
GRAPHICS Nora Keller
-Presidential Election of 1940: *with electoral vote by state...Wilkie referred to Roosevelt only
as the third-term candidate. On election eve, FDR hinted that communists and fascists were
among Wilkies supporters. Despite these campaign conflicts, the two men respected each other.
FDR later asked Wilkie to serve as his emissary abroad and even suggested that they run together
on a coalition ticket in 1944. The map shows quite a majority for Roosevelt on the Democratic
ticket. Roosevelt emerged as the only president ever to break the two term tradition.
-NO to Lend-Lease: Members of the Massachusetts Womans Political Club presented President
Roosevelt with a petition protesting adoption of the Lend-Lease Bill and picketed the White
House. They feared that Americas increasing involvement with the Allied cause would
eventually draw their sons into battle which it did, despite the presidents assurances to the
country otherwise. The Lend-Lease was heatedly debated throughout Congress and the land.
Most opposition was from isolationists and anti-Roosevelt republicans. Nevertheless, it was
approved in 1941 by sweeping majorities in both houses of Congress. The Lend Lease Bill
permitted Britain to obtain all US arms on credit.
