3.11 Foreign Policy 1920-1945

Question 1

What was the primary concern of US foreign policy in the 1920s?

Answer 1

Fear of spread of Communism

This concern influenced many diplomatic decisions and interventions during the decade.

Question 2

What was the purpose of the ‘Open Door’ policy in the Far East?

Answer 2

To maintain equal trading rights for all nations in China

This policy was a significant aspect of US foreign relations.

Question 3

What were the reasons for the Washington Conference 1921?

Answer 3

• Wanted to prevent the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance
• feared the spread of Japanese influence in the Far East, especially China
• Wanted to maintain Open Door Policy

Question 4

Which treaty involved the US, Great Britain, Japan, and France respecting the Open Door policy?

Answer 4

Four Power Treaty

Japan agreed to remove troops from a Chinese province as part of this treaty.

Question 5

What was a key limitation of the treaties established during the Washington Disarmament Conference?

Answer 5

Toothless treaty with tonnage limits only on battleships and aircraft carriers

This limitation made enforcement and sanctions difficult.

Question 6

What was the Dawes Plan of 1924?

Answer 6

An $800 million loan with reduced reparation payments to $250 million a year

It aimed to stabilize the German economy post-World War I.

Question 7

What did the Young Plan of 1929 achieve?

Answer 7

Reduced reparation payments to $26 billion, payable over 59 years

This plan further aimed to ease the financial burden on Germany.

Question 8

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928?

Answer 8

An agreement by 15 countries not to wage war except in self-defense

It had no enforcement mechanism, making it largely ineffective.

Question 9

During 1924-29, how much did US investment in Latin America increase?

Answer 9

$1.5 billion to $3 billion

This reflected increasing economic interests in the region.

Question 10

What was the ‘Good Neighbor Policy’ introduced by FDR in 1933?

Answer 10

A promise of friendship and non-intervention in Latin America

This marked a significant shift in US foreign policy.

Question 11

What did the Neutrality Act of 1935 establish?

Answer 11

• Policy of non-intervention in foreign wars
• Prevented the sale of armaments to comabatant nations
• Prevented US citizens from travelling on ships of countries at war.

Question 12

What was the Ludlow Amendment 1935?

Answer 12

A proposed amendment requiring a national referendum on war declarations, except if the US was attacked first

It was defeated in Congress despite public support.

Question 13

What was the significance of the Panay Incident in 1937?

Answer 13

A turning point in US-Japanese relations due to the attack on USS Panay

It increased tensions between the two nations.

Question 14

What did FDR’s Quarantine Speech in 1937 advocate?

Answer 14

An international ‘quarantine’ to counter aggressive nations

It suggested an alternative to US neutrality and favoured new economic pressures as opposed to a military response.

Question 15

What was the impact of the Wall Street Crash of 1929 on US foreign policy?

Answer 15

A shift towards isolationism

Economic problems led to a focus on domestic issues.

Question 16

What was the purpose of the Neutrality Acts passed in the 1930s?

Answer 16

To maintain US neutrality in foreign conflicts

They included restrictions on arms sales and loans.

Question 17

What did the Lend-Lease Act of 1941 provide?

Answer 17

Britain would be ‘loaned’ the means to keep fighting

This marked a shift away from neutrality and was stronger than cash and carry

Question 18

What event led to the US entering World War II?

Answer 18

Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941

This was a direct trigger for US involvement in the war.

Question 19

True or False: The US joined the League of Nations after World War I.

Answer 19

False

The US failed to ratify the Treaty of Versailles.

Question 20

What was the main reason for the US’s economic sanctions against Japan in 1940?

Answer 20

Japanese expansionism in Asia

This included the invasion of China.

Question 21

What was the outcome of the 1941 Atlantic Charter?

Answer 21

It outlined post-war goals for the US and Britain, such as destruction of Nazi tyranny, international peace, and freedom of the seas

This laid the groundwork for a special relationship.

Question 22

What were the achievement of the Washington Conference?

Answer 22

• Reduced tonnage of battleships in a 5:5:3 ratio between the US, Britain, and Japan
• Signed the Four Power Treaty

Question 23

What did the US do to show their committment to the Good Neighbour Policy?

Answer 23

• US troops left Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua
• Platt Amendment was repealed in 1934 which undid American involvement in Cuba
• Reciprocal Trade Agreement 1934 lowered tariffs

Question 24

What intervention did the US have with Latin America between 1924-1929?

Answer 24

• General Electric controlled the provision of electricity in 8 Latin American countries
• Kemmerer Plans were established to offer advice on currency and central banks
• Mexico forced to pay $500,000 of defaulted loans
• 5000 US troops sent to Nicaragua to intervene in a civil war in 1926

Question 25

What did the Neutrality Act of 1936 do?

Answer 25

Banned loans or crdits to countries at war (but not the trade of useful items such as oil)

Question 26

What did the Neutrality Act of 1937 do?

Answer 26

Forbade export of arms to players in Spanish Civil War

Question 27

What were public opinions on war involvement?

Answer 27

• Opinion polls showed 70% of the public were in favour of the Ludlow Amendment
• 95% of Americans were against any future involvement in war

Question 28

What would negatives of the Ludlow Amendment being passed be?

Answer 28

• Much slower reaction to be able to defend themselves
• Lack of education of the America population

Question 29

What were the events of the Panay Incident 1937?

Answer 29

• Japan invaded China
• USS Panay was evacuating American citizens when it came under attack from Japan
• 3 men were killed and more injured
• Japan claimed the attack was unintentional
• US received an apology and compensation

Question 30

How did the Atlantic Charter 1941 come about?

Answer 30

Roosevelt met with Churchill and after 3 days of talks issues the charter.

Question 31

How did America decide to aid the allies in November 1939?

Answer 31

Cash and carry - No American ships would carry weapons

Question 32

What phrase is given to America’s support of the allies under lend lease?

Answer 32

‘All aid short of war’

FDR still not prepared to go to war with Germany

Question 33

What was the objective of the Japanese in the Pearl Harbour attack?

Answer 33

to immobilise the US Navy so it could not stop Japan’s expansion into East Asia

Question 34

What damage did Pearl Harbour have?

Answer 34

• The surprise attack used fighter planes and bombers
• Destroyed 180 American aircraft
• Sank 7 battleships
• 2400 servicemen killed

Question 35

What was the result of Pearl Habour?

Answer 35

• US declared war on Japan
• Hitler declared war on the US