END OF THE RECESSION 1939-1941

NEUTRALITY ACT OF 1939

• November 4, 1939• Affirmed US neutrality• Last of 4 neutrality acts• Put all trade with belligerent nations under the terms of “cash-and-

carry” • Lifted the arms embargo• Kept the ban on loans• American ships couldn’t transport the goods to belligerent ports• US ships and citizens were also banned from traveling through

"combat zones," designated by presidential discretion

Represented compromise between the US Government and the isolationist sentiment of the American people

HATCH ACT• Forbade civil servants from participating in political

campaigns• Public office holders could not use federal funds for

campaigns• People who received federal assistance could not

donate funds to politicians• Passed by congress• Meant to get rid of New Dealers who relied on the

poor's support• Weakened Roosevelt's executive power

RAISING THE DEFENSE BUDGET

• January 12, 1939- Roosevelt recommends a 2 year defense budget of $535 million in a special message to Congress

• January, 1940- President Franklin Roosevelt asks Congress for $1,800,000,000 for defense

• March 1940- Air Defense Command is established to plan air defense of US against possible attack.

• May 1940- President Roosevelt asks Congress for $1,300,000,000 in supplemental funds for military and naval development.

1940• US declined to renew commercial trade treaty with Japan• Roosevelt asked Congress for $1,800,000,000 for defense

budget• Social Security payments started• Roosevelt asked Congress for $1,300,000,000• Congress raised the national debt ceiling to

$49,000,000,000• Election of 1940• US provides Britain with 50 destroyers in return for 99

year leases of bases in 7 British territories• Peacetime draft enacted

SOCIAL SECURITY• Under 1935 Congressional law-

• Monthly Social Security benefits were to start in 1942, in the form of a single, lump-sum payment

• However, payments of monthly benefits began in January 1940 and not in 1942

• 1939 amendment• old-age benefits were extended to dependents of

workers• Test of retirement- earning less than $15 a month• Wife eligible for 50% benefit if over 65• Aged widows and those with dependent children

were eligible for 75%• Dependent children received 50% benefit

• Concerns about the overall economy in 1939 (which had slipped back into recession) made policymakers reluctant to limit domestic spending

• Other changes made later created a situation where Social Security was a very good deal for participants in the start-up phase of the program but not so much for future retirees

AID FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN

• Aid to dependent Children• Welfare program • Created in 1935 under the social security

act• To prevent poor families from placing their

children in orphanages in return for cash• Renamed in 1962• Single-parent families especially

unmarried mothers and their children• A family had to include a child 18 years or

younger unless they had a 19 year old attending high school

• Needed US citizenship and a lack of financial support

ISOLATIONISTS• Formed due to a combination of the Great

Depression and World War I• Ideology

• Advocated non-involvement in European or Asian conflicts and avoiding international politics

• Marginal US interests in conflicts did not justify the number of US casualties

• Stimson Doctrine• Created after the Japanese invasion of Manchuria• US would not recognize territory gained by

aggression and in violation of international agreements

• Expressed concern without committing to direct involvement

• Strong isolationist sentiment in Congress• Neutrality acts were to stop American

involvement in international conflict

ELECTION OF 1940• FDR ran for 3rd term, breaking 2 term precedent• Did not actively seek nomination• Believed America would need an experienced

leader as WWII was developing• Promised to keep America out of “foreign wars”

WENDELL WILLKIE• Born February 18, 1892• Corporate lawyer• Member of democratic party until 1939• Dark horse- One who achieves unexpected

support and success as a political candidate, typically during a party's convention• Had never run for public office• Wrote speeches and articles

attacking the New Deal• Died October 8, 1944

WILLKIE’S CAMPAIGN TACTICS

• Inefficacy and corruption of the New Deal• Unprecedented 3rd term• Governments lack of military preparedness• Relied on radio broadcasts• Later criticized FDR's lack of preparedness in military matters• Claimed FDR was planning got take the US in to war against

Germany• Attracted isolationists• Had letters from FDR’s running mate that contained exotic

religious beliefs• Believed it would alienate many voters• Democrats threatened to release info about Willkie's rumored affair

OUTCOME• Electoral vote• 449 vs 82• 54.7% of popular vote vs 44.8%• Unified government• FDR took 3rd term as president

PEACETIME DRAFT• October 16, 1940• The Selective Service and Training Act• First Peacetime draft• All men ages 21-35 were required to

register• Lottery system decided who would go into

military service• Established the Selective Service System

as an independent federal agency

LEND-LEASE• Enacted March 11, 1941• Provided extension of credit, weapons, and supplies to Britain• Allowed due to fall of France which left Britain fighting Hitler alone • While Britain could no longer pay cash for supplies due to the

Neutrality act• Law allowed President to grant aid to any country who defense was

deemed vital to US security• Clearly allied US with Britain• Granted more then $50 billion in aid to many countries during the

War• Isolationists opposed the bill• Payment would eventually take place but needn't be in the form of

cash

ATLANTIC CHARTER• August 14 ,1941• Joint declaration by FDR and Winston Churchill• The two meet in Newfoundland aboard the USS Augusta• Broad statement of US and British war aims and an outline of the post-war

world• Not a binding treaty• One of first key steps to the establishment of the United Nations• Included 8 common principles

• Both countries agreed not to seek territorial expansion• To seek the liberalization of international trade• To establish freedom of the seas,• International labor, economic, and welfare standards• Supporting the restoration of self-governments for all countries that had been

occupied during the war• Allowing all peoples to choose their own form of government

January 1, 1942 – 26 other governments pledged their support for the Charter’s principles

PEARL HARBOR• December 7, 1941, just before 8 AM• Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the

American naval base near Honolulu, HI• 20 American Naval vessels crippled or destroyed• 8 battleships• 200+ airplanes• 2,000+ soldiers and sailors died• 1,000+ were wounded• Declaring war

• 1 dissenting vote

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt - December 8, 1941

PRIMARY SOURCE• Origin

• December 8, 1941• FDR’s speech to Congress asking to declare war on Japan

• Purpose• Response to the attack on Pearl Harbor• Ask to declare war

• Value• Showed how many Americans felt after the attack• United Americans in a common cause• Took America to war with japan

• Limitations• Didn’t have all the facts yet• Emphasized American interests• Was meant to persuade isolationists

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