American Isolationism in
the 1930's
Franklin Roosevelt was
the 32nd American President who served in office from March 4, 1933 to April 12, 1945. One of the important events during his presidency was the
policy of Isolationism that was favored by many Americans after WW1,
especially in the 1930's.
For addition facts refer to
Isolationism in the
1920's.
American Isolationism in the 1930's
During the turbulent period
of the 1930's President Roosevelt was battling the
financial crisis
and introducing the New Deal programs to address the devastating effects of the Great Depression
to bring about economic recovery. FDR signed the Reciprocal
Trade Agreements Act in 1934 that reduced the tariff levels set by
Hoover in the
1930 Hawley-Smoot Tariff
and promoted trade liberalization and cooperation
with foreign governments moving to free international trade.
As he watched the events
in the 1930's unfold in Europe and Asia FDR maintained a position
of isolationism and neutrality, encouraging international trade through his policy of
Internationalism. The majority of
Americans at this time favored Isolationism, fearing America
would be dragged into another war.
American Isolationism
Facts for kids
The following fact
sheet contains interesting facts and information on American Isolationism
for kids.
Facts about
American Isolationism for kids
American Isolationism Fact 1:
World War I had
left the American public suspicious of foreign wars and
diplomatic entanglements. Americans were questioning
whether the deaths and sacrifices of WW1 had been
worthwhile.
American Isolationism Fact
2: Deep in the midst
of the terrible effects of the economic crisis and the
Great Depression
anti-war and isolationist sentiments surged in America.
American Isolationism Fact
3: Americans watched
in horror as countries assumed
Totalitarianism
governments following WW1 and witnessed the rise of the
Dictators who adhered to political ideologies such as
Fascism, Nazism,
Militarism and Communism.
American Isolationism Fact
4: The aggressive and
expansionist policies of Italy, Germany and Japan sent out strong
warning signals that the world might be heading for yet another
major international war.
American Isolationism Fact
5: The land mass of the United
States, distanced from the troubles in Asia and Europe by the
Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, made the policy of
Isolationism seem the most obvious and safest of policies.
American Isolationism Fact
6:
FDR achieved great public support for his greatest
foreign policy success through his
Good Neighbor Policy towards Latin America in countries of the Western
Hemisphere that covered South America, Central America
and the Caribbean.
American Isolationism Fact
7:
Many Americans believed that the money made by US arms
manufacturers in WW1 had played a major part in the US involvement
in the Great War.
American Isolationism Fact
8:
Isolationist ideas spread through the media and American
popular culture during the mid-1930s. The 1934 publication of the
'Merchants of Death' followed by 'War Is a Racket' increased public
suspicions of wartime profiteering.
American Isolationism Fact
9:
In 1934 the Nye Committee (Special Committee on
Investigation of the Munitions Industry) was a Senate
committee established to investigate the financial
interests behind the United States involvement in WW1.
The Nye Committee investigations covered the U.S. entry
into WW1, the munitions industry, banks and war profits.
American Isolationism Fact
10:
The Nye Committee report detailed the massive profits
made by arms factories during WW1 and commented on
excessive influence that the munitions industry had held
on American foreign policy leading up to and during
World War One.
Continued...
Facts
about American Isolationism for kids
Facts about
American Isolationism for kids
The following fact
sheet continues with facts about American Isolationism for kids.
Facts
about American Isolationism for kids
American Isolationism Fact
11: Disillusionment over WW1 fed
opposition to foreign entanglements and support for the policy of
American Isolationism. An opinion poll taken in 1935 found that 70%
of Americans believed that intervention in World War I had been a
mistake. The findings of the Nye Report influenced American public
opinion in the direction of Isolationism and the neutrality of the
US.
American Isolationism Fact 12:
Strong anti-war and
non-interventionist sentiments were expressed by the 'America First
Committee' a group who favored Isolationism and staunchly opposed US
intervention or providing aid to the allies. The National hero and
aviator Charles Lindbergh was the most famous isolationist.
American Isolationism Fact
13: American
Isolationism was gaining support from the younger
generation and another 1935 public opinion poll
indicated that 39% of college students would refuse to
participate in any war, even if the country was invaded
American Isolationism Fact
14:
The Neutrality Acts of
the mid-1930's were passed in response to the growing
turmoil in Europe and Asia and designed to prevent the
US from being entangled in another possible foreign war.
The Neutrality Act in 1935 made it illegal to sell arms
to any countries at war and was based on the belief that
the sale of arms had helped bring the US into WW1.
American Isolationism Fact 15:
Following the German invasion
of Poland, Great Britain declared war on Germany on September 3,
1939. Due to the public backing of American Isolationism the USA did
not join the Second World War and the United States declared its
neutrality on September 5, 1939
American Isolationism Fact 16:
FDR began to move away from
the policies of Isolationism, Non-intervention and neutrality when
he used a loophole in the Neutrality Acts to set up the
Destroyers-for-Bases deal with Great Britain.
American Isolationism Fact 17:
The
1941 Lend-Lease Act removed the
cash requirement of the Neutrality Acts allowing the allies
continued access to American arms, munitions and supplies despite
their rapidly deteriorating financial situation.
American Isolationism Fact 18:
In June 1941 Germany launched
a massive invasion of the Soviet Union and Lend-Lease aid was
extended to the USSR. China was already benefiting for their war
against the Japanese. Many members of the Isolationist movement were
furious that the US was supporting the Soviet Union with its
communist and atheistic regime. The view being expressed by the
Isolationists was that the Fascists, Nazis and Communists should be
left to fight it out alone.
American Isolationism Fact 19:
Public opinion in America
against involvement in World War II and American Isolationism began
to change following the "Greer incident" on September 4, 1941, the
attack on the USS Kearny on October 17, 1941, the speech given by
FDR on the "Navy Day Address" on October 27, 1941 and sinking of the
U.S.S. Reuben James on October 31, 1941.
American Isolationism Fact
20: The United States declared war on Japan on
December 8 1941 and joined the fight in WW2 following the Japanese
bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Facts about
American Isolationism for kids
American Isolationism for kids - President Franklin Roosevelt Video
The article on the American Isolationism
in the 1930's provides detailed facts and a summary of one of the important events during his presidential term in office. The following
Franklin Roosevelt video will
give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 32nd American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1933 to April 12, 1945.
American Isolationism in the 1930's
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American Isolationism in the 1930's - important, key
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Franklin Roosevelt
Presidency from March 4, 1933 to April 12, 1945
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