Isolationism and Pearl Harbor

Isolationism and Pearl Harbor

War Breaks Out!

Tension boiled over in Europe and Asia!

Economic strife, nationalism, imperialism and political ideology led to a second world war.

How does the United States

factor in?

Multiple Choice

Which sentiment matches how most Americans probably felt about joining the war in Europe?

• Join! Our friends are in trouble and need our help!

• It is not our problem! Let the Europeans figure it out!

It is Not Our Problem!

• Many Americans still felt disillusioned about exactly what WWI had been fought for. This war also seemed meaningless.

• The United States had not joined the League of Nations because Congress did not want to give up national autonomy.

• Congress did not want to get involved, so it passed the Neutrality Acts - A series of laws made to prevent exporting weapons, ammunition and other tools of war.

Isolationism vs Interventionism

Isolationism- The desire to avoid involvement in foreign affairs and wars.

Interventionism- Government interference in economic and political affairs of other countries.

An American Interventionist

President Roosevelt's an interventionist and believed the United States had a role in protecting democracy around the world. He was originally elected because of domestic policies.

He pushed for several laws to try to promote American assistance to Great Britain.

FDR's Foreign Policy Laws

• Cash and carry- Countries at war were allowed to purchase American goods as long they paid cash and picked up orders from American ports.

• Lend-Lease Act- This allowed the US to send weapons to Great Britain without Britain having the ability to pay.

Multiple Choice

Do you think countries like Germany and Italy were pleased to see the United States passing these laws?

• Yes

• No