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Interwar Period and Isolationism

Interwar Period and Isolationism. Post WWI Isolationism. Kellogg-Briand Pact, 1928 US manipulated it into a no-war pact between more than a dozen major nations Aided US in isolating itself FDR’s “Good Neighbor” policy

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Interwar Period and Isolationism

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  1. Interwar Period and Isolationism

  2. Post WWI Isolationism • Kellogg-Briand Pact, 1928 • US manipulated it into a no-war pact between more than a dozen major nations • Aided US in isolating itself • FDR’s “Good Neighbor” policy • US will respect the rights of others and not get involved in their affairs • Mexico nationalizes oil in 1938… US stays out despite British interference… Mexico pays for rights in 1941.

  3. 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 up • USS Panay sunk in China by Japanese—Japan pays $2 million in reparations; issue glossed over and war avoided.

  4. 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)

  5. Isolationism: An Act of Congress • 1934-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

  6. War in Europe • Germany invades & occupies Austria, 1938 • Germany invades Sudetenland, 1938 • Czechs mobilize—expect British/French support • Brits & French meet with Hitler—allow him to annex Sudetenland • Neville Chamberlain: we have achieved “…peace in our time.”

  7. War in Europe (Cont.) • Germany annexes rest of Czechoslovakia, 1939 • Britain makes defense pact with Austria • Italy invades Albania • Brits make defense alliance with Greece and Romania • US meanwhile paralyzed by isolationists

  8. 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

  9. War in Asia • Japans invasion of and war against China slows • US ends treaty from 1911 that sells arms to Japan • Germany (ally of Japan) makes pact with USSR (enemy of Japan)

  10. War in Europe • Blitzkrieg—lighting war • Combined air & land assault…speed was the key • Germany invades… • Norway, Denmark—April, 1940 • Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg—May, 1940 • France—June, 1940 • British army driven back across English channel

  11. Battle of Britain • Germans 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

  12. 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

  13. The Home Front (Cont.) • FDR issues policy of unrestricted aid to Allies • Sent 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)

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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?

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