Chapter 34: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Shadow of War 1933-1941 Flashcards
- Why did the neutrality laws fail to prevent Americas growing involvement with the military conflicts in Europe and Asia?
• The US’s neutrality acts failed to prevent America from entering the military conflicts because the country saw the growing threat that the Nazis posed to Europe. The rise of fascist dictators in Europe such as Mussolini and Hitler caused Congress to allow cash and carry arm sales to Britain, which was at that time the only power standing in the way of the Nazis, until the Russians later joined the effort. Congress then authorized a draft, and when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, American lives were endangered and the United States declared war.
- How did the process of American entry into World War II compare with the entry into World War I?
• After World War 1, many people were reluctant to enter into another World War. America isolated itself from Europe during the period between the World Wars due to fear of being pulled into another war. However, when fascist dictators such as Hitler and Mussolini rose to power, Americans began to fear the consequences, and FDR sided with the allies as Congress authorized a draft and a cash and carry arms sale to aid Great Britain. America was not fully launched into the war until Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, however. The entry into World War 1, likewise, was also initiated by a direct attack on the US, when American citizens were killed in an attack due to unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman note was intercepted.
- Would it have been more straightforward of Roosevelt to have openly called for a declaration of war against Hitler rather than increasing involvement gradually while claiming that he did not want war?
• It would have been more straightforward of Roosevelt to have openly called for a declaration of war, but not necessarily better. After just experiencing a destructive war and a depression, Americans were reluctant to involve themselves in more heartache. Roosevelt likely would have met serious resistance if he had tried to declare war directly on Germany. It wasn’t until the United States and its citizens were directly threatened that FDR could request a declaration of war.
- Would the United States have entered World War II even if the Japanese had not attacked Pearl Harbor?
• The United States might have entered World War II without the attack on Pearl Harbor, but it would have taken a much longer time for them to enter the war. The US was already aiding Britain and was unhappy with the rise of European dictators, but the people were reluctant because of the most recent world war. It is difficult to determine the actions of the country had history taken a different course, but America probably would have entered the war, if not for protection from dictators, then for an economic boost that was necessary to rescue them from the Great Depression.
