Shifting Away from Isolationism Activity Inquiry Question How did the United States' foreign policy shift in the 1930s from isolationism and neutrality to entrance into World War II in 1941? Before the United States got involved in World War II, it began taking steps to move away from a policy of isolationism, adopting foreign policies that began creating better relations with the Allied nations in Europe, starting with Great Britain. Use information from the provided sources to identify and summarize what actions the U.S. took to move away from isolationism into eventual formal participation in World War II. Clarifying Questions What is a policy of "isolationism"? How does isolationism differ from neutrality? Why might a nation choose to remain isolationist during wartime? Vocabulary isolationism: Isolationism refers to a foreign policy based on limited involvement in the world outside the homeland. This usually includes the avoidance of political or military commitments. intervention: Intervention is the act of one country interfering in another country's plans, whether that involves military, political, or financial interference. neutrality: Neutrality is the act of staying neutral in a decision and refusing to take a side, especially as it relates to U.S. foreign policies during the late 1930s. cash and carry: Cash and carry was a U.S. program, implemented in 1939, that allowed countries that were the victims of aggression to purchase weapons in order to fight the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan). Lend-Lease: Lend-Lease was a U.S. military program begun during World War II, in which the U.S. assisted Great Britain with credit, weapons, and supplies without becoming directly involved in the war. Background Information After World War I, the United States adopted a policy of isolationism, believing that it was better served remaining uninvolved with other nations and their interests. Soon thereafter, in 1929, the Great Depression broke out. The United States turned inward, focusing on its own financial troubles as unemployment rose as high as 25%. Policies adopted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt stressed cooperation and neutrality. But as the 1930s progressed, policies firmed up which allowed the U.S. to support such allies as Great Britain. Although the U.S. officially stayed out of World War II at the time, the programs that developed during this period pushed the nation to the brink of war. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the U.S. officially became involved in World War II. Source Reference Author: ABC-CLIO Description: This reference article covers U.S. foreign policy after World War I and up to U.S. participation in World War II, focusing on isolationism and neutrality policies. Context and Things to Consider Note the role the Great Depression played in determining foreign policy. What types of policies did President Franklin D. Roosevelt roll out in the middle of the 1930s? How would you characterize those programs? Pay attention to the development of the Lend-Lease program. What was its impact on Allied powers? How did the Japanese respond? World War II: Isolationism and Neutrality In the 1930s, both Germany and Italy adopted fascism and began moves to expand their territory. Japan's totalitarian government was also looking to expand. Great Britain's prime minister Neville Chamberlain urged Britain to maintain a policy of appeasement—giving in to the dictators in order to avoid a war. In part, Chamberlain had to try appeasement because the British Empire did not have the resources to fight Japan in Asia, Italy in the Mediterranean, and Germany in Europe all at the same time. Unfortunately, the policy failed because the dictators believed that Britain was weak and inferior and therefore no threat to their desires for land. When Britain became aware that Germany's air force was rapidly overtaking their own, they looked to the United States for help. Isolationism and Neutrality Following World War I, the United States had once again retreated into isolationism. The U.S. government believed that its interests were best served by secluding itself from other nations and avoiding alliances with them. The United States had a history of isolationism dating back to the presidential terms of George Washington; he had urged commercial treaties and expansion of trade with other nations but no political or military alliances. In 1823, in keeping with that practice and at the urging of President James Monroe, Congress adopted the Monroe Doctrine, which called on the United States to stay out of European affairs and warned Europeans to stay out of American affairs. Following the beginning of the Great Depression, more legislation was passed to ensure the United States' stance of isolationism. With 25% of the nation unemployed and Americans struggling to meet their basic needs, the focus was on domestic issues, not on a war across the sea. The Johnson Act of 1934 prohibited loans to foreign countries that had not paid their war debts. The Neutrality Acts of 1935 and 1936 prohibited the sale of war materials to aggressors. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued his Good Neighbor Policy in his first inaugural address. The policy promoted condemnation of aggression, no forcible collection of debts, equality of states, respect for treaties, and continental solidarity. America Pulled to the Brink As the 1930s drew to a close, despite the neutrality laws, the United States found itself on the side of Great Britain. Roosevelt brought about the cash and carry policy, which was a way to get around the Neutrality Act. The United States would sell war materials to Great Britain if they paid cash and arranged to transport them. In addition, a destroyer deal was arranged with the British Navy, whereby the United States loaned 52 destroyers to Britain in exchange for a 99-year lease on the Virgin Islands. This action led to the Lend-Lease Act of 1941, which initially appropriated $7 billion to be used to loan or lease weapons and to provide aid to other countries. Much of that money was invested to help Britain secure the seas in order to ensure the delivery of badly needed resources and supplies to the island. The United States still hoped to ensure a victory over the Axis powers without involving its own troops. Isolationism remained popular, however, with many Americans joining antiwar organizations, such as the America First Committee. Celebrities such as Charles Lindbergh and many influential businessmen joined this very vocal antiwar political organization, which remained popular even after Germany conquered most of Europe and invaded the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, Japanese aggression was spreading. In September 1940, Japan occupied northern Indochina. Bound by the Neutrality Acts, the United States responded by prohibiting the export of steel, scrap iron, and aviation gasoline to Japan. Roosevelt also approved a loan of $100 million to the Nationalist Chinese under the provisions of the Lend-Lease Act to combat Japanese aggression. Still, Japan was determined to carve out a new empire. Pearl Harbor Tension continued to rise between the United States and Japan throughout 1941, until militarists in Japan decided that war was eminent with the United States and they should go ahead and attack first. On December 1, 1941, Japan's premier Tojo Hideki concluded, "Japan has no other way than to wage war . to secure its existence and self-defense." On Sunday, December 7, a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was launched from Japanese aircraft carriers, resulting in more than 2,000 American casualties and 21 U.S. ships damaged or destroyed, including all eight of the battleships that made up the Pacific Fleet. News of the attack reached Washington, D.C., and the following day, President Roosevelt declared that it was "a day which will live in infamy" and asked Congress for a declaration of war on Japan. The outrage of U.S. citizens following the attack meant the end isolationism in the country. Americans realized that this was a war that they would need to join and that it was time for the United States to enter World War II. On December 11, Germany's Adolf Hitler and Italy's Benito Mussolini honored their pact with Japan and declared war on the United States. The United States would now be fighting two wars, engaged with the Japanese in the Pacific and with Germany and Italy in Europe. Source Video Creator: ABC-CLIO with history teacher Krister Swanson Description: This video discusses the decade before the United States entered World War II. Context and Things to Consider Consider the cash and carry policy and who it favored during World War II prior to U.S. participation in the war. Note that the Lend-Lease Act allowed the U.S. to "lend" Britain billions of dollars' worth of war materials. Consider how this policy contributed to rising tensions during the war. Notice that even after the Nazis had taken over most of Europe by 1941, there remained vocal isolationists like the America First Committee and its spokesperson, Charles Lindbergh, who even at that point did not want the U.S. to get involved in the war. America Pulled to the Brink [3:39] Source Reference Authors: James Carroll, historian at Iona College, and military historian Spencer Tucker Description: This article covers the cash and carry policy, a U.S. program that allowed nations that were victims of aggression to purchase arms to fight the Axis powers. Context and Things to Consider Who did the cash and carry policy favor? Why was this so? How did the cash and carry policy reflect a move away from true isolationist policies in the U.S.? Cash and Carry Cash and carry was a U.S.