The Road to WW 2 How America went from Isolation to World War

1. The London Conference FDR fails to attend due to currency stabilization and the gold standard demands from Europe without considering tariff reductions until after currency. Impact: blow to International cooperation U.S. drifts towards isolationism

2. The Recognition of the USSR FDR recognizes USSR in hopes for trade (fails to materialize) in exchange for USSR pledge: Not interfere in U.S. domestic affairs and propaganda (fails to happen) Religious freedoms for Americans in USSR (fails to happen) Settle debts (fails to happen)

3. Independence of the Philippines (1934) U.S. beet sugar dairy interests, American labor, and anti-imperialists push for independence. Tydings-McDuffie passed allowing for independence in 12 years (July 4, 1946) Provides for removal of U.S. military posts and negotiations to remove naval bases

4. Relations with the Western Hemisphere ( ) End to Dollar Diplomacy and Roosevelt Corollary

5. The Tariff issue (1934) FDR under Trade Agreements Act can enter into arrangements to lower tariffs up to 50% without Congressional approval. Reciprocal trade agreements!

6. Johnson Debt Default Act (1934) Prohibits loans to any foreign country in default to U.S. G.B., Czechoslovakia, Italy, Rumania, Latvia, and Lithuania. Only exception: Finland

7. Nye Committee (1934) Sen. Gerald Nye ((N.D.) Senate Munitions Committee findings stress profits in WW 1 to U.S. financiers and armament makers. No conclusive evidence, but isolationism benefits from this and leads to Neutrality Acts

7. Neutrality Acts 1935 Italy attacks Ethiopia: President after declaring “ state of war ” prohibit ALL arm shipments and forbid citizens travel on belligerent ships except AT THEIR OWN RISK FDR: this will “ drag us into war instead of keeping us out. ” Embargo NOT include oil, steel, and copper

7. Neutrality Acts 1936 extends 1935 Act and forbids loans and credit 1937 Spanish Civil War not covered b 1935 and thus embargoes both sides in Spain thus favoring dictator Franco and Italy and Germany After Japan attacks China FDR not invoke Neutrality act but then invokes ban on munitions and travel

8. Panay 1937 U.S. gunboat, Panay, bombed by Japanese 2 killed and 30 wounded U.S. demands apologies, reparations, and guarantees against future acts Japan apologizes and gives reparations “ Open Door ” inapplicable to world of “ today and tomorrow. ” FDR ’ S Quarantine Speech and the reaction

9. Attack on Poland 1939 FDR “ This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well. ” Repeals arms embargo and provides for “ cash and carry. ”

10. U.S. Preparedness and Aid to G.B Jan 3 FDR asks for billion for defense and 50,000 planes per year May 31 $1.3 billion more Release surplus and outdated weapons to GB $43 million Sept 3 Destroyers for bases 50 destroyers for 99 year leases

11. The Election of 1940 Issues? Results?

11. FDR and 4 Freedoms Freedom of Speech Freedom of Religion Freedom from Want Freedom from Fear

12. Lend Lease Act Allows President to deem national “ vital ” to U.S. lend/lease initial $7b end of war $50b+

13. Battle of the Atlantic Feb- May 1941 “ Wolf packs ” destroy 2,314,000 tons of supplies FDR declares U.S. “ security zone ” North Atlantic West Longitude 26 degrees

14. The Atlantic Charter The war aims…

15. U.S.S. Greer and Reuben James Greer “ shoot on sight ” James sunk in “ convoy ” and arming of merchant marines and travel to belligerent ports

16. U.S. relations with Japan deteriorates Sept U.S. embargo scrap iron and steel all but G.B. post Indochina takeover July FDR freezes all Japanese credits- MacArthur in charge of Philippines. Nov 20 negotiations begin with new Tojo government Nov 25 Japanese carrier force leaves for Pearl Harbor Dec 6 FDR appeal to Hirohito for peace and withdrawal 7:55 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor attacked