Interwar Period and Isolationism

Post WWI Isolationism

Kellogg-Briand Pact, 1928US manipulated it into a no-war pact between more than a dozen major nationsAided US in isolating itself

FDR’s “Good Neighbor” policyUS will respect the rights of others and not get involved in their affairsMexico nationalizes oil in 1938… US stays out despite British interference… Mexico pays for rights in 1941.

League of Nations and Japan

Did not include US

Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931; withdrew from League of Nations

League angrily decry’s action, but no force to back it upUSS Panay sunk in China by Japanese—Japan pays $2 million in reparations; issue glossed over and war avoided.

Rumblings of War

Italy invades Ethiopia, 1935

Germany occupies Rhineland (demilitarized at Versailles), 1936

http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/map10eu.htm

Germany and Italy support fascists in Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

Isolationism: An Act of Congress1934-Provisions for Philippine independence

1935-37: More Acts baring arms sales, especially to Spanish parties

Cash & Carry policy… a compromise

Popular Vote???

1938: FDR pushed for disarmament conference—even the Brits decline

War in Europe

Germany invades & occupies Austria, 1938

Germany invades Sudetenland, 1938Czechs mobilize—expect British/French supportBrits & French meet with Hitler—allow him to annex SudetenlandNeville Chamberlain: we have achieved “…peace in our time.”

War in Europe (Cont.)

Germany annexes rest of Czechoslovakia, 1939

Britain makes defense pact with Austria

Italy invades AlbaniaBrits make defense alliance with Greece and Romania

US meanwhile paralyzed by isolationists

War in Europe (Cont.)Germany signs non-aggression pact with USSR, 1939

Germany invades Poland, Sept. 1

Britain/France declare war on Germany, Sept. 3

Soviets invade Poland, Sept. 17

War in Asia

Japans invasion of and war against China slows

US ends treaty from 1911 that sells arms to JapanGermany (ally of Japan) makes pact with USSR (enemy of Japan)

War in EuropeBlitzkrieg—lighting war

Combined air & land assault…speed was the key

Germany invades…Norway, Denmark—April, 1940Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg—May, 1940France—June, 1940

British army driven back across English channel

Battle of BritainGermans bombed British cities

Brits had broken German secret code—helped RAF fight off some bombers

Germans not able to invade Brits because of British resilience

Postponed invasion plans

Britain begins pleadingfor US aid

The Home Front

War in Europe scares some Americans

Germany able to accomplish in several months more than all of WWI

If Britain fell, so might its navy…

… and combined with German navy would give Hitler access to whole Atlantic and our East coast

The Home Front (Cont.)

FDR issues policy of unrestricted aid to AlliesSent 50 old US destroyers to Brits in exchange for 8 sites to use as US bases in British land

Sept. 1940—FDR gets Congress to agree to peacetime draft

FDR wins unprecedented 3rd term in November 1940 over Wendel Wilkie (R)

Lend-Lease Act

March 1941

Congress authorized the President to… “…sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or

otherwise dispose of” arms to “any country the President deems vital to the defense of the United States.”

Eliminated the “cash” part of cash & carry

The Home Front (Cont.)FDR allows US navy to escort ships (mostly British) ½ way across Atlantic

October, 1941—German U-boats torpedo USS Kearny and USS Reuben James

FDR allows US navy to shoot U-boats on sight

Congress approves FDR’s request to repeal “carry” part of cash-and carry policy—US merchant and war ships now crossing whole Atlantic with license to kill

USS Reuben James burns

Undeclared War?

US engaged in undeclared war…

It was only a matter of time until we sunk enough U-boats or they torpedoed enough of our ships until open war broke out…

Who would be first?