1. How would you describe the purpose of the Neutrality Act?
DO It: Use your knowledge of United States history and government and the cartoon below to answer the following question:
“Providing for the prohibition of the export of arms, ammunition, and implements of war to belligerent countries; the prohibition of the transportation of arms, ammunition, and implements of war by vessels of the United States for the use of belligerent states; for the registration and licensing of persons engaged in the business of manufacturing, exporting, or importing arms, ammunition, or implements of war; and restricting travel by American citizens on belligerent ships during war.”
-Neutrality Act August 1935
How would you describe the purpose of the Neutrality Act?

2. Aim: Could the U.S. have realistically remained neutral during World War II?

3. I. WWII Foreign Policy
1920’s & 1930’s the US pursued a policy of neutrality and Isolationism
Isolationism- national FP of remaining apart from political or economic entanglements with other countries
Neutrality- it deliberately takes no side in dispute or controversy( not- involved)
**Allowed to trade

4. Why does President Roosevelt want to remain neutral during World War II?
My countrymen and my friends: Tonight my single duty is to speak to the whole
of America. Until four-thirty o’clock this morning I had hoped against hope that some
miracle would prevent a devastating war in Europe and bring to an end the invasion of
Poland by Germany.
It is right that I should recall to your minds the consistent and at time successful
efforts of your Government in these crises to throw the full weight of the United States
into the cause of peace. In spite of spreading wars I think that we have every right
and every reason to maintain as a national policy the fundamental moralities, the
teachings of religion, the continuation of efforts to restore peace -- because some
day, though the time may be distant, we can be of even greater help to a crippled
humanity.
And it seems to me clear, even at the outbreak of this great war, that the influence
of America should be consistent in seeking for humanity a final peace which will eliminate, as far as it is possible to do so, the continued use of force between nations.
At this moment there is being prepared a proclamation of American neutrality. This would have been done even if there had been no neutrality statute on the books, for this proclamation is in accordance with international law and in accordance with American policy.
This will be followed by a Proclamation required by the existing Neutrality Act. And I trust that in the days to come our neutrality can be made a true neutrality.
We have certain ideas and certain ideals of national safety and we must act to preserve that safety today and to preserve the safety of our children in future years. We seek to keep war from our own firesides by keeping war from coming to the Americas.
I have said not once but many times that I have seen war and that I hate war. I say that again and again. I hope the United States will keep out of this war. I believe that it will. And I give you assurance and reassurance that every effort of your Government will be directed toward that end.
As long as it remains within my power to prevent, there will be no blackout of peace in the United States.

5. FDR Signs the Lend-Lease Act
This cargo plane was sent to Great Britain by the U.S. in 1941.
This M-3 tank was loaded aboard a ship destined for Africa as part of the 1941 Lend-Lease Act.

6. II. Neutrality Act III. Lend Lease Act Series of Neutrality Acts
“Cash and Carry”- non-military goods sold to nations at War must be paid for in cash and transported by the purchaser
III. Lend Lease Act
Lend Lease- Although the US was officially neutral, FDR found a way around the neutrality acts to provide aid, including warships
“arsenal of democracy”
FDR pledges to stay out of war but said that the nation would become the “arsenal of democracy” supplying arms to those who were fighting for FREEDOM

7. FDR and Winston Churchill
Atlantic Charter
The Atlantic Conference : Joint Statement by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill, August 14, 1941
Joint declaration of the President of the United States of America and the Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, representing His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, being met together, deem it right to make known certain common principles in the national policies of their respective countries on which they base their hopes for a better future for the world.
First, their countries seek no aggrandizement, territorial or other;
Second, they desire to see no territorial changes that do not accord with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples concerned;
Third, they respect the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they will live; and they wish to see sovereign rights and self government restored to those who have been forcibly deprived of them;
Fourth, they will endeavor, with due respect for their existing obligations, to further the enjoyment by all States, great or small, victor or vanquished, of access, on equal terms, to the trade and to the raw materials of the world which are needed for their economic prosperity;
Fifth, after the final destruction of the Nazi tyranny, they hope to see established a peace which will afford to all nations the means of dwelling in safety within their own boundaries
FDR and Winston Churchill

8. U.S. Neutrality during WWII
The U. S. was neutral at the beginning of World War II.
Lend-Lease Act (1941): FDR agrees to supply war materials to Great Britain in an effort to keep the U.S. out of the war
US thought of as the “Arsenal of Democracy”
The Atlantic Charter (1941): A document signed by Pres. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill that stated the U.S. and Great Britain will promote democracy after the war. The Charter was signed before the U.S. entered WWII.

10. Could the U.S. have realistically
remained neutral during World War II?