The road to WW2

• Who was elected president in 1932?

  Franklin D. Roosevelt
• What was Roosevelt's main goal during the Great Depression?

  To repair the American economy and institute the New Deal program
• During which years did Roosevelt's first administration take place?

  1933-1937
• What was Roosevelt's foreign policy priority during his first administration?

  It had a low priority
• In which political tradition did Roosevelt's beliefs firmly lie?

  Wilsonian tradition
• How did Roosevelt initially respond to the popular isolationist trend in US politics?

  He did little to challenge isolationism or resist the neutrality acts
• What was happening internationally in the mid-1930s that concerned Roosevelt?

  The international situation was deteriorating with aggressive actions from Germany, Italy, and Japan
• Who was the leader of Germany during the mid-1930s?

  Adolf Hitler
• What did Hitler do that violated the Versailles Treaty?

  He rearmed Germany
• Which country did Mussolini attack in defiance of the League of Nations?

  Ethiopia
• What was the significance of the Spanish Civil War during the 1930s?

  It rapidly involved Germany and Italy on the fascist side
• What event occurred in 1937 involving Japan and China?

  Japan invaded the Chinese province of Manchuria
• What was Roosevelt's reaction to the deteriorating international situation?

  He began to question the wisdom of isolationism
• What controversial suggestion did Roosevelt make in October 1937?

  That aggressive nations should be quarantined
• How did the press and Congress react to Roosevelt's suggestion in 1937?

  There was an isolationist backlash, and he was forced to deny specific actions
• What incident occurred in December 1937 involving Japanese aircraft?

  They sank the American gunboat Panay in the Yangtze River
• How did the American public react to the sinking of the Panay?

  The reaction was muted compared to previous incidents
• What was the most common public reaction after the Panay incident?

  To call for the removal of American ships from the Far East
• What was the outcome of the US government's protest to Japan after the Panay incident?

  Japan apologized
• How did the neutrality acts and military unpreparedness affect Roosevelt during the 1938 Munich crisis?

  He was reduced to a spectator's role
• Who was the British Prime Minister during the Munich crisis?

  Nevil Chamberlain
• What was Chamberlain's response to Roosevelt's idea of a world conference on disarmament?

  He contemptuously dismissed it and pursued appeasement
• What did the 1938 Naval Expansion Act signify?

  It was the largest peacetime funding for the navy to that date
• How much funding did Roosevelt obtain in early 1939 to expand the air force?

  $525 million
• What was the difference in the US's response to the outbreak of a European war in September 1939 compared to 1914?

  There was a proclamation of neutrality with significant changes
• What did Roosevelt say in one of his fireside chats regarding neutrality?

  “Even a neutral cannot be asked to close his mind or his conscience”
• What changes were made to the Neutrality Act in November 1939?

  The arms embargo was repealed, allowing belligerents to buy arms on a ‘cash and carry’ basis
• What remained banned under the new Neutrality Act passed in November 1939?

  The ban on American loans to belligerents
• How did Hitler's actions in 1939 affect American attitudes towards neutrality?

  His aggressive intentions were revealed, changing attitudes towards neutrality
• What was the outcome of Germany's victories in 1940 over France and Britain?

  It came as a rude shock to Americans
• Why was Germany's domination of Europe perceived as a threat to American security?

  If Germany controlled the British and French fleets, it posed a direct threat
• How did Britain's resistance to Germany inspire American support?

  It inspired sympathy and support in the USA
• Who was the new British Prime Minister that made the most of his American ancestry?

  Winston Churchill
• What impact did Ed Murrow's radio broadcasts have on American public opinion?

  They made a powerful impact during the Blitz
• What was the public reaction to Hitler's racist policies and the attacks on Jews during Kristallnacht?

  It caused fear and revulsion among many Americans
• What was the Tripartite Pact?

  A mutual aid treaty between Germany, Italy, and Japan
• How did Roosevelt argue for support for Britain?

  He claimed it was essential to protect America's security
• What executive order did Roosevelt arrange in 1940 regarding military equipment?

  Transfer of ‘surplus’ military equipment to Britain
• What did Roosevelt exchange with Britain in 1940?

  50 destroyers for 90-year leases of bases in 6 British colonies
• What did the British action in July 1940 regarding the French fleet do for the USA?

  It reassured the USA about the situation in Europe