As the depression swept through the United States it also laid
waste to the continent of Europe. America wrapped itself in the
cocoon of isolationism and took a rather dim view of the affairs of
Europe. We were concerned about preserving our way of life but little
did we know that the greatest threat to the American way of life lie
in the continent we so casually regarded. As America embraced
democracy and a modified capitalism many European turned to fascism
and aggression. The rise of dictators in Europe had a profound impact
on the world order. Fascist leaders promised their citizens
prosperity through aggression. Militarism relieved psychological
depression by promising world domination and power as well was
economic relief by employing millions in the production of military
hardware. The question was, how would the world respond? Would the
fear of war outweigh the hard choices required to pursue peace? Would
the actions of these dictators be challenged? These were the
questions that had to be asked as America and the world entered a new
era. It would only be a matter of time before America would be forced
to respond.
I. The Road to War
A. In what nations did dictators rise to power?
1. Germany - Adolf Hitler
2. Italy - Benito Mussolini
3. Japan - General Togo (It bears noting that Japan was already
ruled by an Emperor named Hirohito. Hirohito. however was a young man
and was controlled by General Togo.)
4. We have to add Josef Stalin here. Stalin was dictator of the
Soviet Union and came to power after Lenin's death. Even though
Stalin was on our side he was a brutal dictator who would later
become America's chief world opponent.
B. What aggressive acts were taken by the dictators of the 1930's?
1. Hitler rearms the nation in direct violation of the
treaty of Versailles and then proceeds to remilitarize the strategic
Rhineland region. All of this was in direct violation of the Treaty
but yet no nation attempted to stop Hitler. France was in particular
position to act and could have easily ended Hitler's militaristic
expansion but did not do so fearing war.
2. Hitler annexed Austria, a nation traditionally and culturally
bound to Germany. The combination of Germany and Austria (known as
Anschluss) was also specifically prohibited by the Treaty of
Versailles.
3. Hitler asks for permission to annex the half of Czechoslovakia
known as the Sudatenland. In the Munich Pact the powers of Europe
agree to this in exchange for a promise from Hitler that this would
be the end of his expansion. Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister of
England and author of the Munich Pact and this policy of appeasement,
declare "Peace in our time!" Weeks later Hitler takes the rest of
Czechoslovakia by force violating the Munich Pact.
4. Mussolini attacked and invaded Ethiopia
5. Japan led by General Togo attacked and annexed the Chinese
province of Manchuria, a great source of natural resources.
6. Hitler and Stalin sign a non aggression pact. Each hate each
other but wish to secure that border first. Hitler knows he will
someday attack the Soviet Union but does nit wish to at this time.
Stalin knows he will be attacked and is just buying time as he
attempts to prepare and rebuild his nation.
7. On September 1st 1939 Germany invaded Poland. At this point
Hitler cannot be ignored and England and France declare war on
Germany.
C. How did the world respond to these aggressive acts?
1. League of Nations chose not to respond to Italy's
attack.
2. Most nations refused to recognize Japan's annexation but did
nothing to stop it.
3. After Hitler annexed Austria and requested Czechoslovakia the
European powers met and signed the Munich Pact which gave ½ the
Sudatenland. to Hitler. This policy and pact brokered by British PM
Neville Chamberlain was called appeasement and clearly failed as
discussed above.
4. In short what did the League of Nations do... NOTHING!!!!
D. What was the US policy during this time?
1. Recognized Soviet Union
2. Reciprocal trade agreements made to improve international
trade.
3. Good Neighbor Policy formulated towards Latin America. In this
policy America attempts to improve relation with Latin American
nations.
4. Nye Committee urges isolation.
5. Neutrality Acts of 1935 and 1936 attempt to create a
foreign policy that will keep America out of war.
6. In 1936 FDR issues his famous quarantine speech in which
he argues for the quarantine of "lawless nations."
Innocent peoples are being cruelly sacrificed to a greed for
power and supremacy...Let no one imagine that America will
escape...There is no escape through mere isolation or
neutrality...War is a contagion, whether it be declared or not. It
seems unfortunately true that the epidemic of lawlessness is
spreading. When an epidemic of physical disease starts to spread,
the community joins in a quarantine of the patients in order to
protect the health of the community against the spread of the
disease. I call today for a similar quarantine. A quarantine of the
lawless, a quarantine of those that threaten world peace.
--Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
7. Stimson Doctrine articulated Secretary of Sate Henry
Stimson call for non recognition of annexed lands
8. The Neutrality Act of 1939 declares that the United States
would only sell weapons to belligerent nations on a Cash and
Carry basis. This clearly aided England who had a merchant marine
and Navy large enough to ship away these military supplies.
9. America makes a deal with England to trade out of date
destroyers to the British in exchange for naval bases in the Pacific.
This was designed to support British defense against German U
Boat activity.
10. America agrees to a policy of Lend/Lease where we
basically become the arsenal of democracy and supply our
allies with weapons. We also helped to defend British Convoys loaded
with weapons against German U Boats even though no formal declaration
of war existed between the Us and Germany.
11. America issues a trade embargo against Japan preventing
them from buying vital natural resources from America. This severely
hurt the Japanese effort to arm themselves and eventually led them to
attack Pearl Harbor.
Clearly our attempts at neutrality were a failure. We slowly
moved closer and closer towards involvement in WWII. The United
States eventually is forced to enter the war on December 7th 1941
when Japan attacks Pearl Harbor.
