Chapter 34

Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Shadow of War

The London Conference
America's non-participation in the conference solidified U.S. isolationist policies. In war and in the economy.
American sugar growers also wanted to cut free from Filipino sugar.
FDR formally recognized the Soviet Union in 1933.
Becoming a Good Neighbor
In his inaugural address, FDR affirmed America's ambition to be a "Good Neighbor" with Latin America.
The next year, 1934, the last of the U.S. Marines left Haiti. America lessened her influence in Cuba and Panama as well.
Oil companies wanted armed intervention. FDR held back and came to a settlement in 1941
All told, the Good Neighbor policy was very successful in improving America's image to Latin America.
Secretary Hull’s Reciprocal Trade Agreement
Sec. of State Cordell Hull believed in low tariffs. He felt low tariffs mean higher trade. He and FDR felt trade was a two-way street. Congress passed the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act which set up low tariff policies.
Storm-Cellar Isolationism
In a totalitarian nation, the individual and his or her rights are nothing; the only thing that matters is the state.
Germany and Italy linked up when Hitler and Mussolini agreed on the Rome-Berlin Axis (1936).
In 1940, Japan joined Germany and Italy with the Tripartite Pact.
The League of Nations did nothing, not even cutting oil to Italy, and the League died as a nice idea that was powerless.
Trying to avoid getting sucked further into foreign problems, Congress passed the Johnson Debt Default Act which forbade countries that owed money to the U.S. from getting any more loans.
Congress Legislates Neutrality
These were clearly to avoid the same mistakes that had occurred at the outset of WWI. WWII, however, would have different circumstances. The U.S. declared absolute neutrality, no matter how hideous one side would be.
America Dooms Loyalist Spain
Though neutral, America didn't build up her military for defense. America actually let the navy get weaker.
Congress passed a law to build up the navy in 1938, very late in the game and only one year before WWII broke open.
Japan invaded China in 1937. FDR did not name the action a war, however, so the Neutrality Acts were not invoked and both China and Japan could still buy American war-stuffs.
This was a step away from isolationism. When isolationists complained, FDR backed off a bit in his words.
Japan went at it again when they bombed and sank the American gunboat the Panay. Two were killed, 30 wounded—possible grounds for war.
Japan apologized, paid an indemnity, and the situation cooled.
Americans in China, however, were jailed and beaten as the Japanese took out anti-American frustrations.
The "Panay Incident" further supported American isolationism.
Back in Europe, Hitler was taking increasingly bold steps.
All told, about 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, about 11 million people total.
Hitler kept up his march by taking his birth nation of Austria in 1938.
Next he declared he wanted the Sudetenland, a section of Czechoslovakia inhabited mostly by Germans.
At each step, Hitler said this would be his last. Naively, Britain and France were eager to appease (give in) to Hitler.
Chamberlain returned and gave his infamous claim that he’d achieved “peace in our time.” True, but it proved to be a very short time.
Hitler broke his promise and took over all of Czechoslovakia in March of 1939.
Hitler’s Belligerency and U.S. Neutrality
Without having to fear a two-front war like in WWI, the nonaggression pact opened the door for Germany attack Poland.
Still, little was done to halt Hitler. Britain and France did finally draw one last line-in-the-sand, saying that if Poland was taken, war would start.
America rooted for Britain and France, but was committed to neutrality.
Cash-and-carry meant no credit and no U.S. ships hauled the stuff.
Though technically open to Germany too, the British and French navies could keep the Germans away.
The U.S. improved her moral standing with the law, but also made some bucks.
The Fall of France
The only action was when the USSR attacked Finland. The U.S. gave Finland $30 million for nonmilitary supplies; Finland lost to Russia.
The attack on France came very quickly and surrender came quickly, by late June of 1940.
Mussolini attacked France while she was down to get some of the booty.
The only good news was a miraculous evacuation at Dunkirk. Pinned against the English Channel, a waters suddenly settled to an unusual calm and small boats were able to cross the channel and evacuate the troops.
Americans how realized Britain was now the only major European country left standing between the U.S. and Nazi Germany.
FDR called for America to build up the military. Congress appropriated $37 billion, a huge number.
Bolstering Britain with the Destroyer Deal (1940)
Britain was next on Hitler's list. To attack Britain, Hitler first needed air superiority. He began bombing, but the British Royal Air Force fought back and halted Germany in the world's first all-air war, the Battle of Britain.
In America, two voices spoke to FDR on whether the U.S. should get involved:
Isolationists set up the America First Committee. Charles Lindbergh was a member.
Interventionists set up the Committee to Defend the Allies.
FDR Shatters the Two-Term Tradition (1940)
1940 was also an election year. Wendell L. Willkie came out of nowhere to capture the Republican nomination. Franklin Roosevelt set aside the two-term tradition, and was nominated for a third term.
FDR won big again, 449 to 82.
Congress Passes the Landmark Lend-Lease Law
Hitler’s Assault on the Soviet Union Spawns the Atlantic Charter
In June of 1941, Hitler broke his pact with Russia and invaded the USSR. Neither trusted the other, so Hitler moved to double-cross Stalin first. This was great news for the democracies. Now those two could beat up on one another.
The thinking was that the Germans would quickly defeat the Russians.
FDR sent $1 billion to Russia to help defend Moscow. Germany made quick and early gains, but the red army slowed the Nazis until the winter set in. The Germans literally froze at the gates of Moscow.
The Atlantic Conference (Aug 1941) saw Winston Churchill of England meet with FDR in Newfoundland.
Disarmament would be sought.
A new peace-keeping organization, like the League of Nations, would be set up.
Isolationists criticized the Atlantic Conference and Charter. They simply failed to see that the U.S. was no neutral anymore.
U.S. Destroyers and Hitler’s U-Boats Clash
Incidents happened, including German attacks on the American destroyer Greer. FDR declared a shoot-on-sight policy.
The American Kearny saw 11 men killed and was damaged.
The destroyer Reuben James was torpedoed and sunk off of Iceland, killing over 100 Americans.
Surprise Assault at Pearl Harbor
Meanwhile, Japan was marching toward their vision of an empire of the rising sun. They were still beating the Chinese.