The USA and international relations 1920-45 Flashcards
Did the US seek isolationism or interventionism?
It sought non-involvement in European affairs after WW1 and tried to remain aloof in WW2 but it was too influential and powerful to remain isolated, despite the wishes of many Americans
How did the US try to remain isolationist and why didn’t this work?
During the 1920s, the USA participated in treaties and international agreements to defend its interests. It was the world’s largest trading nation and was owed over $12 billion in war debts. Even though it didn’t signed the peace treaties following the war and refused to join the League of Nations, it couldn’t be isolationist.
What disarmament agreements were the US involved in? What was the problem with them?
The Washington Disarmament Conference of 1921-22, which reduced the power of navies, and signed the Kellogg-Briand pact of 1928 renouncing war as a means of settling international grievances, however, neither of these agreements had sanctions attached.
What policies did the USA pursue with Latin America?
Good Neighbour Policy - the policy recognised US economic muscle but seemed less confrontational than earlier in the century.
Can you give an example of America pursuing the Good Neighbour policy?
Withdrawing troops from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua in 1924 and encouraging trade; by 1929 the volume of trade with Latin America exceeded $3.2 billion.
What was Roosevelt’s main foreign policy concern?
The rise of the European dictators
What was the mood in America towards isolationism?
It was generally one of strict neutrality, with the USA avoiding being drawn into future conflicts
When were the Neutrality Acts and what did they do?
They were passed between 1935-36 and stated arms sales to belligerent nations were banned: the fourth in fact banned US citizens to travel on ships of belligerent nations and insisted all goods should be sold on a cash and carry basis.
What events happened in the late 1930s that escalated to threaten the US stance?
- Full-scale war wetween Japan and China threatened US interests
- Germany pursued an expansionist programme which worried Roosevelt
When and how did America start to rearm?
In December 1938, Roosevelt began to rearm: in Jan. 1939 Congress appropriated $500 million for military spending and by 1941 the military budget had grown four times over. This rearmament restored prosperity to the US.
Why was non-involvement in WW2 becoming increasingly difficult by 1941?
Most Americans wanted the Allies to win, and saw the need to keep them supplied with the material to do so.
What did the “Lend-Lease” agreement mean?
The USA became the ‘arsenal of democracy’, ‘loaning’ material to Britain, despite the Neutrality Acts.
What was Germany doing by 1941 that encouraged the US to become involved in the war?
There was an undeclared naval war in the Atlantic as German U-boats targeted all ships en route for Britain, including US ones.
How did American relations with Japan provoke involvement in the Second World War?
The USA was boycotting crucial supplies to Japan, including oil. The Japanese were becoming increasingly desperate to secure new oil supplies, capturing the Dutch East Indies where there were plentiful supplies, for example. This involved destroying the US fleet in the Pacific so they couldn’t prevent this.
When did America become a full participant in the Second World War?
When Japan attacked the US fleet at Pearl Harbour on 7 Dec 1941, the USA declared war. Japan’s ally, Nazi Germany, declared war on the USA on 11 Dec.
