Chapter 34: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Shadow of War Study Guide
Chapter #34: IDENTIFICATIONS
Nuremburg Trials
Prosecuted those who helped Nazi Germany, trials held by Allies
Cordell Hull
Secretary of State for FDR, received Peace Nobel Prize for creating United Nations
Winston Churchill
British politician, great war time leader, Prime Minister
Charles Lindbergh
American aviator, author, inventor, activist
Good Neighbor Policy
Foreign policy FDR used toward Latin America
Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act
Trade was a two-way street, agreed to trade with countries that lowered tariffs too and did not show discrimination
Rome-Berlin Axis
Alliance between fascist Germany and Italy
Nye Committee
Senate committee, inspected banking interests and helped US stay neutral during WWII
Neutrality Acts
Sought to make sure that America would not get involved in foreign affairs again (WWII)
Russo-German Nonaggression Pact
Partitioned Eastern Europe into territories for Germany and Soviet Union to acquire
"cash and carry"
Allowed US to sell or provide war materials to foreign countries fighting in WWII but the country had to use their own vessels and pay with cash
America First Committee
Against intervention, anti-war organization
Lend-Lease Act
Aided Britain, billion dollars worth of supplies shipped abroad, step toward becoming less neutral
Atlantic Charter
Spelled out the goals of the Allies for postwar world
Chapter #34 Guided Reading Questions
The London Conference
Know: London Economic Conference
1. What were the results of Roosevelt's decision not to help stabilize currencies?
Because Roosevelt decided not to help stabilize currencies at the London Conference, it solidified U.S. isolationist policies. Roosevelt was going to send Hull but decided not to and without America’s participation; nothing got accomplished, much like the League of Nations.
Freedom for (from?) the Filipinos and Recognition for the Russians
Know: Tydings-McDuffie Act
2. What was the reason for America's decision to free the Philippines?
America passed the Tydings-McDuffie Act which said that the Philippines would be independent and free after 12 years. This is because the Philippines had been a headache ever since the U.S. took over the islands. American sugar growers wanted to cut free from Filipino sugar. Because times were hard, America was eager to let the Philippines go.
Becoming a Good Neighbor
Know: Good Neighbor Policy
3. Was the United States serious about the Good Neighbor policy? Explain.
Yes. The Good Neighbor policy said that America would no longer use the Big Stick Policy and no longer use military strength in Latin America. In 1934, U.S. marines left Haiti. Mexico, however, seized American oil properties. This was a test to see if the Good Neighbor Policy was the “Push Over Policy.” Roosevelt held back and came to a settlement in 1941 and proved that the U.S. was serious about the policy.
Secretary Hull's Reciprocal Trade Agreements
Know: Cordell Hull, Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act
4. Were reciprocal trade agreements a good idea? Explain.
Yes. The Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act cut down most of the offensive parts of the Hawley-Smoot tariff law. Also, as Cordell Hull said, low tariffs means higher trade. It started to reverse the high tariff trend and started a low tariff trend.
Storm-Cellar Isolationism
Know: Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, Fascism
5. What were the reasons for American isolationism?
Although many dictators, such as Stalin in the USSR, Mussolini in Italy, and Hitler in Germany, America simply stayed isolationist. The events were an ocean away and America had her own problems. America did not want to get drawn into Europe’s problems like with WW1. That is why America passed the Johnson Debt Default Act, which forbade countries that owed money to the U.S. from getting any more loans.
Congress Legislates Neutrality
Know: Gerald Nye, Neutrality Acts
6. How did the Neutrality Acts attempt to keep the U.S. out of war?
The Neutrality Acts said that when the president declared that a foreign war existed, certain restrictions would start. These were clearly to avoid the same mistakes that had occurred at the outset of WW1. The U.S. declared absolute neutrality, no matter how bad one side would be. It said that America would not sail on a belligerent ship, sell and haul munitions, or make loans to belligerents.
America Dooms Loyalist Spain
Know: Francisco Franco, Spanish Civil War
7. How did the Spanish Civil War contribute to WWII?
The Spanish Civil War was a mini-WW2. It saw a fascist government lead by General Franco fight a republican democratic government. Italy and Germany helped Franco so they could use him in the future and Hitler used the Spanish Civil War ground for his tanks and planes. Franco won and this helped embolden the dictators, especially Hitler.
Appeasing Japan and Germany
Know: Quarantine Speech, Panay, Rhineland, Sudentenland, Munich Conference, Appeasement
8. What actions were taken by fascist governments that showed that they were a threat?
FDR gave the Quarantine Speech in which he asked for America to quarantine aggressors and to morally side against them. This was a large step away from isolationism. Japan bombed and sank the American gunboat Panay in which two were killed and 30 were injured. In Europe, Hitler broke the Treaty of Versailles and made military service mandatory and marched troops into the Rhineland region. Hitler was given Sudetenland by Chamberlain in the Munich Conference, which was a mistake.
Hitler's Belligerency and U.S. Neutrality
Know: Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, Cash and Carry
9. How did the United States respond to the start of WWII in Europe?
America rooted for France and Britain but was committed to neutrality. The Neutrality acts were invoked which cut supplies to belligerents. They passed the Neutrality Act of 1939 which said that the U.S. would sell war materials on a cash and carry basis. This meant that no credit and no U.S. ships hauled the stuff.
The Fall of France
Know: Phony War, Blitzkrieg, Winston Churchill
10. What further steps did the United States take after the fall of France?
After the fall of France, the U.S. realized how Britain was 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. The conscription law was passed which was America’s first peacetime draft. It would train 1.2 million troops yearly and 800,000 reserves.
Makers of America: Refugees from the Holocaust
Know: Anti-Semitism, Albert Einstein, American Jewish Committee, Father Coughlin, American Jewish Congress
11. Why did America not make more room for European Jews in the 1930's?
The reduced immigration in the late 1930s was due to economic pressures, high unemployment, social frustration & disillusionment.
Bolstering Britain with the Destroyer Deal (1940)
Know: Battle of Britain, Royal Air Force, Fortress America, America First, Charles Lindbergh, Destroyer Deal
12. Describe the conflict between interventionists and isolationists in America in 1940.
Isolationists set up the America First Committee while the Interventionists set up the Committee to Defend the Allies. Both sides campaigned their sides but FDR took the middle road. The Destroyer Deal said that America would transfer 50 old destroyers from WW1 days to Britain. In return, the U.S got eight defensive bases in the Americas, from the Newfoundland down to South America.
FDR Shatters the Two-Term Tradition (1940)
Know: Wendell Willkie
13. Interpret the results of the 1940 election.
Wendell Willkie came out of nowhere to capture the Republican nomination. FDR set aside the two term tradition and was nominated again. Willkie criticized the New Deal but the New Deal was not the big issue anymore. Willkie’s main point was to attack the two term tradition since Washington. FDR came up with “better a third term than a third rater.” FDR promised not to send “boys” to “any foreign war.” FDR won big, 449 to82.
Congress Passes the Landmark Lend-Lease Law
Know: Lend-Lease
14. What was so controversial about Lend-Lease?
The Lend- Lease became the “arsenal of democracy.” By 1945, America had sent about $50 billion worth of arms and materials to the Allies. This marked an almost abandonment of isolation. This caused Germany to finally attack American ships that they had been avoiding.
Hitler's Assault on the Soviet Union Spawns the Atlantic Charter
Know: Atlantic Charter
15. What was the reaction in America to the Nazi attack on the Soviet Union?
FDR sent $1 billion to Russia to help defend Moscow. Germany made quick and early gains, but the Red Army slowed the Nazis until winter set in. The Germans literally froze at the gates of Moscow. The Atlantic Charter was formed at the Atlantic Conference and was later okayed by the Soviet Union. The charter set up goals for after the war was won. Isolationists criticized the Atlantic Conference and Charter but they simply failed to see that America was no longer neutral.
U.S. Destroyers and Hitler's U-Boats Clash
16. How did America's implementation of the Lend-Lease policy bring us closer to war?
Sending war materials would be risky with German sub “wolfpacks” prowling around. FDR decided that a convoy system would be used and that merchant ships would be escorted by U.S. warships to Iceland. Then, the British would take over the escorting. Germany attacked the American destroyer Greer. Later FDR said that merchant ships could arm and enter combat zones.
America's Transformation from Bystander to Belligerent
17. Was United States entry into WWII sudden or gradual? Explain.
It was gradual. The U.S. was standing by and being patient when Japan attacked Panay, Germany attack Greer, and other incidents. They slowly broke out of isolationism, first with the Quarantine Speech, to cash and carry, to the Destroyer Deal, to the Lend-Lease Bill, and then finally war, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
Nuremburg Trials
Prosecuted those who helped Nazi Germany, trials held by Allies
Cordell Hull
Secretary of State for FDR, received Peace Nobel Prize for creating United Nations
Winston Churchill
British politician, great war time leader, Prime Minister
Charles Lindbergh
American aviator, author, inventor, activist
Good Neighbor Policy
Foreign policy FDR used toward Latin America
Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act
Trade was a two-way street, agreed to trade with countries that lowered tariffs too and did not show discrimination
Rome-Berlin Axis
Alliance between fascist Germany and Italy
Nye Committee
Senate committee, inspected banking interests and helped US stay neutral during WWII
Neutrality Acts
Sought to make sure that America would not get involved in foreign affairs again (WWII)
Russo-German Nonaggression Pact
Partitioned Eastern Europe into territories for Germany and Soviet Union to acquire
"cash and carry"
Allowed US to sell or provide war materials to foreign countries fighting in WWII but the country had to use their own vessels and pay with cash
America First Committee
Against intervention, anti-war organization
Lend-Lease Act
Aided Britain, billion dollars worth of supplies shipped abroad, step toward becoming less neutral
Atlantic Charter
Spelled out the goals of the Allies for postwar world
Chapter #34 Guided Reading Questions
The London Conference
Know: London Economic Conference
1. What were the results of Roosevelt's decision not to help stabilize currencies?
Because Roosevelt decided not to help stabilize currencies at the London Conference, it solidified U.S. isolationist policies. Roosevelt was going to send Hull but decided not to and without America’s participation; nothing got accomplished, much like the League of Nations.
Freedom for (from?) the Filipinos and Recognition for the Russians
Know: Tydings-McDuffie Act
2. What was the reason for America's decision to free the Philippines?
America passed the Tydings-McDuffie Act which said that the Philippines would be independent and free after 12 years. This is because the Philippines had been a headache ever since the U.S. took over the islands. American sugar growers wanted to cut free from Filipino sugar. Because times were hard, America was eager to let the Philippines go.
Becoming a Good Neighbor
Know: Good Neighbor Policy
3. Was the United States serious about the Good Neighbor policy? Explain.
Yes. The Good Neighbor policy said that America would no longer use the Big Stick Policy and no longer use military strength in Latin America. In 1934, U.S. marines left Haiti. Mexico, however, seized American oil properties. This was a test to see if the Good Neighbor Policy was the “Push Over Policy.” Roosevelt held back and came to a settlement in 1941 and proved that the U.S. was serious about the policy.
Secretary Hull's Reciprocal Trade Agreements
Know: Cordell Hull, Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act
4. Were reciprocal trade agreements a good idea? Explain.
Yes. The Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act cut down most of the offensive parts of the Hawley-Smoot tariff law. Also, as Cordell Hull said, low tariffs means higher trade. It started to reverse the high tariff trend and started a low tariff trend.
Storm-Cellar Isolationism
Know: Joseph Stalin, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, Fascism
5. What were the reasons for American isolationism?
Although many dictators, such as Stalin in the USSR, Mussolini in Italy, and Hitler in Germany, America simply stayed isolationist. The events were an ocean away and America had her own problems. America did not want to get drawn into Europe’s problems like with WW1. That is why America passed the Johnson Debt Default Act, which forbade countries that owed money to the U.S. from getting any more loans.
Congress Legislates Neutrality
Know: Gerald Nye, Neutrality Acts
6. How did the Neutrality Acts attempt to keep the U.S. out of war?
The Neutrality Acts said that when the president declared that a foreign war existed, certain restrictions would start. These were clearly to avoid the same mistakes that had occurred at the outset of WW1. The U.S. declared absolute neutrality, no matter how bad one side would be. It said that America would not sail on a belligerent ship, sell and haul munitions, or make loans to belligerents.
America Dooms Loyalist Spain
Know: Francisco Franco, Spanish Civil War
7. How did the Spanish Civil War contribute to WWII?
The Spanish Civil War was a mini-WW2. It saw a fascist government lead by General Franco fight a republican democratic government. Italy and Germany helped Franco so they could use him in the future and Hitler used the Spanish Civil War ground for his tanks and planes. Franco won and this helped embolden the dictators, especially Hitler.
Appeasing Japan and Germany
Know: Quarantine Speech, Panay, Rhineland, Sudentenland, Munich Conference, Appeasement
8. What actions were taken by fascist governments that showed that they were a threat?
FDR gave the Quarantine Speech in which he asked for America to quarantine aggressors and to morally side against them. This was a large step away from isolationism. Japan bombed and sank the American gunboat Panay in which two were killed and 30 were injured. In Europe, Hitler broke the Treaty of Versailles and made military service mandatory and marched troops into the Rhineland region. Hitler was given Sudetenland by Chamberlain in the Munich Conference, which was a mistake.
Hitler's Belligerency and U.S. Neutrality
Know: Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, Cash and Carry
9. How did the United States respond to the start of WWII in Europe?
America rooted for France and Britain but was committed to neutrality. The Neutrality acts were invoked which cut supplies to belligerents. They passed the Neutrality Act of 1939 which said that the U.S. would sell war materials on a cash and carry basis. This meant that no credit and no U.S. ships hauled the stuff.
The Fall of France
Know: Phony War, Blitzkrieg, Winston Churchill
10. What further steps did the United States take after the fall of France?
After the fall of France, the U.S. realized how Britain was 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. The conscription law was passed which was America’s first peacetime draft. It would train 1.2 million troops yearly and 800,000 reserves.
Makers of America: Refugees from the Holocaust
Know: Anti-Semitism, Albert Einstein, American Jewish Committee, Father Coughlin, American Jewish Congress
11. Why did America not make more room for European Jews in the 1930's?
The reduced immigration in the late 1930s was due to economic pressures, high unemployment, social frustration & disillusionment.
Bolstering Britain with the Destroyer Deal (1940)
Know: Battle of Britain, Royal Air Force, Fortress America, America First, Charles Lindbergh, Destroyer Deal
12. Describe the conflict between interventionists and isolationists in America in 1940.
Isolationists set up the America First Committee while the Interventionists set up the Committee to Defend the Allies. Both sides campaigned their sides but FDR took the middle road. The Destroyer Deal said that America would transfer 50 old destroyers from WW1 days to Britain. In return, the U.S got eight defensive bases in the Americas, from the Newfoundland down to South America.
FDR Shatters the Two-Term Tradition (1940)
Know: Wendell Willkie
13. Interpret the results of the 1940 election.
Wendell Willkie came out of nowhere to capture the Republican nomination. FDR set aside the two term tradition and was nominated again. Willkie criticized the New Deal but the New Deal was not the big issue anymore. Willkie’s main point was to attack the two term tradition since Washington. FDR came up with “better a third term than a third rater.” FDR promised not to send “boys” to “any foreign war.” FDR won big, 449 to82.
Congress Passes the Landmark Lend-Lease Law
Know: Lend-Lease
14. What was so controversial about Lend-Lease?
The Lend- Lease became the “arsenal of democracy.” By 1945, America had sent about $50 billion worth of arms and materials to the Allies. This marked an almost abandonment of isolation. This caused Germany to finally attack American ships that they had been avoiding.
Hitler's Assault on the Soviet Union Spawns the Atlantic Charter
Know: Atlantic Charter
15. What was the reaction in America to the Nazi attack on the Soviet Union?
FDR sent $1 billion to Russia to help defend Moscow. Germany made quick and early gains, but the Red Army slowed the Nazis until winter set in. The Germans literally froze at the gates of Moscow. The Atlantic Charter was formed at the Atlantic Conference and was later okayed by the Soviet Union. The charter set up goals for after the war was won. Isolationists criticized the Atlantic Conference and Charter but they simply failed to see that America was no longer neutral.
U.S. Destroyers and Hitler's U-Boats Clash
16. How did America's implementation of the Lend-Lease policy bring us closer to war?
Sending war materials would be risky with German sub “wolfpacks” prowling around. FDR decided that a convoy system would be used and that merchant ships would be escorted by U.S. warships to Iceland. Then, the British would take over the escorting. Germany attacked the American destroyer Greer. Later FDR said that merchant ships could arm and enter combat zones.
America's Transformation from Bystander to Belligerent
17. Was United States entry into WWII sudden or gradual? Explain.
It was gradual. The U.S. was standing by and being patient when Japan attacked Panay, Germany attack Greer, and other incidents. They slowly broke out of isolationism, first with the Quarantine Speech, to cash and carry, to the Destroyer Deal, to the Lend-Lease Bill, and then finally war, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.