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U.S. Neutrality and the Beginning of WWII. U.S. Neutrality and Isolation. Conferences to reduce armaments/keep peace were failures U.S. had 2 options 1. More energetic attempts at stabilizing world 2. More energetic attempts at isolating the nation - Americans chose Option #2
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U.S. Neutrality and Isolation • Conferences to reduce armaments/keep peace were failures • U.S. had 2 options 1. More energetic attempts at stabilizing world 2. More energetic attempts at isolating the nation - Americans chose Option #2 • U.S. Congress wanted to design safeguards from U.S. being dragged into another war, result was:
Neutrality Acts - 1935 • Goal: Protect US from events which pressured US to enter WW1 • Requirements: • Can not sell weapons to Aggressor OR victim • President has power to warn American citizens that traveling on ships of warring nations is at own risk.
Neutrality Act of 1937 • Prohibited from transporting any passengers or articles to belligerents • U.S. citizens forbidden from traveling on ships of belligerent nations. • Cash and Carry Policy – people in a fight could purchase only non-military goods from the US, but had to pay cash and carry goods away on their own vessels.
Why do you think FDR/Congress added the cash and carry stipulation?
World War II Begins • Germany invades Poland = GB and France declare war on Germany • Phony War – no fighting between Allies and Axis (Winter-Spring ‘39-’40) • Germany invades Denmark, Norway, Belgium and France • Threatens Great Britain
U.S. Becomes More Involved • US extends Cash and Carry to military goods to help allies. • Slowly, US becomes more and more involved on the side of Allies • LEND-LEASE • Britain is bankrupt can’t pay cash for weapons, so U.S. “lends” weapons on promise G.B. will return or pay U.S. back after the war.
Is the U.S. Neutral? • Why did the U.S. start to lean towards the allies?