32 Flashcards
London Conference
66 nations’ delegates hoped to create an international response to the great depression. Roosevelt opposed the conference because he didn’t want his plans to fix America to be messed up.
The conference failed which strengthened the global trend towards nationalism, which made international cooperation difficult.
Tyding-McDuffie Act
Passed in 1934, Congress gave the Philippines independence because the US didn’t want them if Japan attacked them.
Soviet Union was recognized in 1933, opening up trade and a friendship to counteract German and Japanese power in Europe and Asia.
Good Neighbor Policy
The US wouldn’t mess w/ Latin American countries: All marines left Haiti in 1934 and the US released some of its control over Cuba and Panama.
The Mexican Government sized US oil properties in 1938 but Roosevelt worked out a settlement in 1941.
Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act
Passed in 1934 by Congress, it allowed the President to lower tariffs w/ a country if they also lowered. Secretary of State Hull negotiated pacts w/ 21 countries at the end of 1939.
The pacts increased foreign trade and the act paved the way for the American-led free-trade international economic system.
Totalitarianism in Europe
Stalin took control of the USSR and killed hundreds of thousands of political opponents.
Mussolini took control of Italy in 1922, attacked Ethiopia in 1935 for power and glory. Joined the Rome-Berlin Axis with Hitler in 1936.
Hitler took control of Germany in 1933, most dangerous dictator b/c he had power and was impulsive.
US stayed out of it b/c they thought since they were surrounded by water, they’d be fine.
Johnson Debt Default Act
Passed by Congress in 1934, it prevented debt-dodging nations from borrowing more
Japan in 1934
Terminated the Washington Naval Treaty and accelerated the construction of large battleships.
Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, and 1937
When president proclaimed existence of a foreign war, certain restrictions would automatically go into effect. Americas couldn’t legally sail on a country at war’s ship, sell/transport munitions to them, or give them loans.
Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939
General Franco rose against left-wing republican gov in Madrid and overthrew the Loyalist regime that was supported by the Soviet Union, aided by Mussolini and Hitler.
Abraham Lincoln Brigade
Small group of American volunteers fought for the Loyalists. Congress amended to neutrality legislation to apply an arms embargo to the loyalists and rebels since they wanted to stay out of the war.
Japan invades China
Roosevelt refused to call it a war so the neutrality legislation didn’t take effect. If he did, it would cut munition sales to the Chinese but Japan could still buy from the US.
Quarantine Speech
Gave by Roosevelt in 1937, proposing economic embargo against dictators but since the public opposed this, he didn’t go through w/ it.
Hitler’s Violation of the Treaty of Versailles
When he introduced mandatory military service in Germany in 1935. He then voted against the treaty in 1936 when he took over the demilitarized German Rhineland.
Hitler, Austria, and Czechoslovakia.
Hitler invaded Austria in March 1938 but they did vote for the occupation b/c if they didn’t, Germany would forcefully take over.
In September of 1938, W Euro allowed Germany to keep part of Czechoslovakia in hopes it would stop Hilter from taking over other countries.
Hitler took over all of Czechoslovakia in March 1939.
Hitler-Stalin Pact
On August 1939, the Soviet Union and Hitler signed a nonaggression treaty which made it so Germany could declare war on Poland and W Demo w/o fear of the Soviets retaliating.
Start of War
Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939 which caused Britain and France to declare war on him due to their commitments to Poland.
Neutrality Act of 1939
Passed by Congress because Americans, though anti-Nazi, wanted to stay out of the war but Britain and France needed materials.
Let Eruo Demos buy US war materials if they transported the goods themselves and paid in cash. It allowed the US to avoid loans, war debts, and US ships sinking.
Solved the decade-long unemployment crisis.
Fall of France
Months after Poland fell was the “phony war” b/c France and UK weren’t involved yet. Ended in April/May 1940 when Hitler took over Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, and Belgium.
France fell in June1940 and Americans realized England was the last part of Euro Hitler hadn’t taken over. Roosevelt and Congress set out to build large air fleets and a two-ocean Navy.
Congress passed conscription law in September 6,1940 - initiated America’s first peacetime draft.
Havana Conference of 1940
US agreed to protect Latin America from Germany.
War Refugee Board
Created by FDR after he learned about the Nazi genocide to help victims of Nazis and other Axis powers. Over 6 million Jews died.
Battle of Britain
Hitler launched air attacks on Britain in August 1940, radio broadcasts brought the drama from London air raids to American homes. Sympathy for Britain grew but not enough to push US to war.
Committees
Committee to Defend America by Aiding Allies - Most powerful group who supported aid for Britain
America first Committee - Isolationists contending that America should concentrate on defending its shores.
Election of 1940
Condemned by Repub for “dictatorship” and New Deal’s inefficiencies, FDR ran for his 3rd term arguing that US needed his experience during war. Voter agreed with this and he won.
Lend-Lease Bill of 1941
Allowed US to lease arms to demos, since Eruo didn’t have $ to buy them if they would be returned after war. Pitched as a program that let demos win the war and keep US out of it. Criticized since the arms would be destroyed.
Hitler saw it as unofficial declaration of war. Robin Moor, unarmed US merchant, destroyed by Germans outside of war-zone.
U-Boats
Congress voted in Nov 1941 to repeal neutrality Act to let merchant ships be armed and enter combat zones with munitions for Britain.
WW II
Fall of France in June 1940 and Hitler invading Soviet Union in June 1941.
Hitler attacked in hope to take oil and other resources and concentrate on Britain. FRD sent military supplies to USSR.
Atlantic Conference
In August 1941, FRD and Churchill created Eight-Point Atlantic Charter, goals of the war.
No territorial changes of the inhabitants didn’t want
Affirmed right of people choosing their own form of government
Disarm the aggressors.
