US NeutralityUS Neutrality

Neutrality Acts: 1935, 1936, 1937

When the President proclaimed the existence of a foreign war, When the President proclaimed the existence of a foreign war, certain restrictions would automatically go into effect:certain restrictions would automatically go into effect:

Prohibited sales of arms to belligerent nations.Prohibited sales of arms to belligerent nations.

Prohibited loans and credits to belligerent nations.Prohibited loans and credits to belligerent nations.

Forbade Americans to travel on vessels of nations at Forbade Americans to travel on vessels of nations at war [in contrast to WW I].war [in contrast to WW I].

Non-militaryNon-military goods must be purchased on a “cash- goods must be purchased on a “cash-and-carry” basis and-carry” basis pay when goods are picked up. pay when goods are picked up.

Banned involvement in the Spanish Civil War.Banned involvement in the Spanish Civil War.

This limited the options of the President in a crisis.This limited the options of the President in a crisis.

America in the 1930s declined to build up its forces!America in the 1930s declined to build up its forces!

European Developments-1938

• Germany takes Sudetenland

• Germany takes Austria

• Munich Conference- “Appeasement”

• Should US reconsider Neutrality Policies?

1939 Neutrality Act1939 Neutrality ActIn response to Germany’s invasion of Poland.In response to Germany’s invasion of Poland.

FDR persuades Congress in special session to allow the US FDR persuades Congress in special session to allow the US to aid European democracies in a limited way:to aid European democracies in a limited way:

The US could sell weapons to the European democracies The US could sell weapons to the European democracies on a “cash-and-carry” basis.on a “cash-and-carry” basis.

FDR was authorized to proclaim danger zones which US FDR was authorized to proclaim danger zones which US ships and citizens could not enter.ships and citizens could not enter.

Results of the 1939 Neutrality Act:Results of the 1939 Neutrality Act:

Aggressors could not send ships to buy US munitions.Aggressors could not send ships to buy US munitions.

The US economy improved as European demands for The US economy improved as European demands for war goods helped bring the country out of the war goods helped bring the country out of the 1937-38 recession.1937-38 recession.

America becomes the “Arsenal of Democracy.”America becomes the “Arsenal of Democracy.”

Developments in 1940Hitler takes Denmark, Norway, Netherlands and Belgium

By June, France has fallen to the Nazis

US Response:37 billion appropriated to build up defenses

First peacetime draft passed

Havana Conference

Transfer of fifty US destroyers to GB in exchange for eight base sites

1941-Lend-Lease (Bill “1776”)

Send munitions to victim nations and return the used weapons (or theirequivalents) after the war

Sparked intense debate

US clearly abandoned neutrality

“Lend-Lease” Act (1941)Great Britain.........................$31 Great Britain.........................$31 billionbillionSoviet Union...........................$11 Soviet Union...........................$11 billionbillionFrance......................................$ 3 France......................................$ 3 billionbillionChina.......................................$1.5 China.......................................$1.5 billionbillionOther European.................$500 Other European.................$500 millionmillionSouth America...................$400 South America...................$400 millionmillionThe amount totaled: The amount totaled: $48,601,365,000$48,601,365,000

June, 1941- Hitler invades the Soviet Union

US Response- Atlantic Charter

1941- Japan:

US Embargo in late 1940 + freezing of Japanese assets=

December 7, 1941

“A Day that will live in Infamy”

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