Splendid IsolationThe U.S. in the 1920s and 1930s

Focus Question

What should the U.S. do when other nations are threatened by hostile powers?

Objectives

After today’s lesson, you will Define the weekly vocabulary terms

accurately Describe the foreign policy opinions

in the U.S. during the 1930s

Splendid Isolation

U.S. retreated to isolationism after WWI U.S. disgust with the war Strong sense of anti-military fervor Perception that U.S. interest weren’t at

risk U.S. refused to take role in League of

Nations

Active Foreign Policy

Took a leadership role in disarmament talks Washington Conference of 1921▪ Naval “Holiday”

Five Power Naval Treaty of 1922▪ Limited Naval tonnage▪ Froze certain classes of ships

Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928▪ Formally outlawed war▪ Lacked the ability to enforce the pact

Rise of Belligerent Powers Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931

Invaded China in 1937 Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935 Spanish Civil War 1936-39

U.S. Reaction As war threatened, many became concerned Fear of U.S. involvement Senate hearings on World War I

War blamed on arms manufacturers Took steps to prevent

the U.S. involvement

Neutrality Acts Designed to keep U.S. from war

1935: No arms sales to belligerent nations 1936: No loans or credit to belligerent nations 1937: U.S. could not ship goods to

belligerents

Tied the hands of the U.S.

FDR’s efforts FDR and his cabinet recognized the threat Prepare the U.S. for involvement

Quarantine Speech 1937 Cash-and-Carry 1939 Lend-Lease 1940

German invasion of Poland, September 1, 1939 World War II begins

Atlantic Charter August 1941

Pearl Harbor Japanese attack brings U.S. into the war U.S. sets strategy in motion

Initial outrage against Japan Determined to defeat Germany first

Summary

Describe two ways you would improve today’s lesson