America Comes Closer to War

Isolationism: FDR’s enemy Where we last left the US  Isolationist-not getting involved FDR wants to get involved  He’s trying all he can to get the US involved

Neutrality Act This is what prevents him from getting the US involved  Prohibits the sale of arms or making loans to warring countries.  Roosevelt needed the support of isolationists in Congress. They wanted to remain neutral  The United States did not intervene in the Spanish Civil War or the Japanese invasion of China.

Steps to Intervene When Italy invaded Ethiopia, Roosevelt stopped arms sales to both countries—which hurt only Italy. Roosevelt did not want to remain neutral—he was worried about the aggressive actions of totalitarian leaders.

FDR’s “Quarantine Speech” When an epidemic of physical disease starts to spread, the community approves and joins in a quarantine of the patients in order to protect the health of the community against the spread of the disease.

Most important of all, the will for peace on the part of peace-loving nations must express itself to the end that nations that may be tempted to violate their agreements and the rights of others will desist from such a course. There must be positive endeavors to preserve peace.

America hates war. America hopes for peace. Therefore, America actively engages in the search for peace.

The United States Prepares for War Roosevelt asked Congress for money to build new naval vessels.  Congress approved despite isolationist complaints. Congress changed the neutrality laws to a new policy called cash-and-carry.  Countries at war could buy American goods if they paid cash and picked up their goods at American ports.

“all aid short of war.” FDR traded 50 aging warships for eight British military bases. Isolationists opposed the deal, but were too weak to stop it. Roosevelt defeated business leader Wendell Willkie for an unprecedented third term as president. He felt world events required experience in the White House.

The Lend-Lease Act The next step from Cash-and-Carry  No Cash needed, no more carry. FDR proclaims the US will be an “Arsenal of Democracy” Most people in America thought it was necessary to help the British, but to not get involved.  A “European War”

Lend-Lease allowed the US 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.“  Signed on

How much was lent? $31.4 billion to Britain $11.3 billion to the Soviet Union $3.2 billion to France $1.6 billion to China Total= about $50 billion or $647 billion in today’s cash

"I don't say... 'Neighbor, my garden hose cost me $15; you have to pay me $15 for it' …I don't want $15 — I want my garden hose back after the fire is over.”- -- FDR

"Lending war equipment is a good deal like lending chewing gum. You don't want it back.“--- Robert Alonso Taft

Roosevelt and Winston Churchill met secretly in They agreed to the Atlantic Charter. This document proclaimed the shared goals of the United States and Britain in opposing Hitler and his Allies. Despite German U-boat attacks on U.S. ships trying to deliver goods under the Lend-Lease Act, isolationists continued to oppose entry into the war.

Final Straw USA enacts a trade embargo on Japan  This angers Japan, which relies heavily on US steel and oil. They retaliate…big time.