"Isolationism" and FDR (1935-1941)

1. What were the goals of the isolationists? Why is "isolationism" a misleading term?

The goals of the isolationists were staying out of war, keeping the peace, and being neutral and have a good standing. They thought that America wouldn't be able to make enough in industry or survive the war with the Great Depression still going on. Also, they wanted to keep the peace as means to keep foreign trade and etc. with Europe peaceful. Lastly, they wanted to be neutral and have a good standing in the war (be strong but not be active in the war), they didnt want to be on any side and wanted America to be a good strong example almost. "Isolationism" is a misnomer because it implies that some Americans should isolate itself but in fact this group of people favored international trade and certain bilateral agreements set in the 1930s. Also, many isolationists agreed with some of the terms set during World War I.

2. What did some isolationists feel that there was no need for Americans to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia?

They felt that the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans cushoned them from the war, and the U.S. had made friendly alliances with the western hemisphere therefore America was safe all the way around (at least this is what some isolationists thought).

3. What were the purposes of the Nye Committee hearings?

The purposes of the Nye Committee hearings were to investigate why the U.S. went into World War I, let the people know and hopefully understand those reasons, and make people not want war inturn making the United States stay out of the problems in Europe and Asia.

4. List two impressions that the Nye Committee hearings created.

One impression the Nye Committee hearings created was that soldiers had died in WWI because of corporations looking to make profits and had convinced President Wilson to go to war. Secondly, it made Americans believe that big businesses again would drag them into this war too.

5. What were the purposes of the Neutrality Acts?

The purposes of the Neutrality Acts were to keep America from choosing sides in the war, prohibited the shipping of arms and weapons to nations at war, to bring the armament industry under the control of the government, and no Americans on warring country’s ships or American ships in the war.xd

6. List two reasons that some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous.

One reason, Americans considered Roosevelt’s leadership radical and dangerous because FDR attempted to “pack” the court with leaders he appointed himself to add to the court, for every man over the age of seventy. Secondly, FDR tried becoming president a third term in 1940, therefore people thought he was becoming overly powerful and in turn dangerous.

7. What was "Cash and Carry"?

“Cash and Carry” was part of the Neutrality Act of 1939 and allowed America to sell products to the warring nations but they would have to pay in cash and find a means as to bring the products to them (America wouldn’t send ships with the products to the warring nations the nations would have to get it themselves).

8. Why did President Roosevelt freeze Japanese assets in the United States?

FDR froze Japanese assets in the United States because FDR thought that Japan was moving too aggressively and after Japan took control of northern French Indochina FDR couldn’t take it anymore.

9. What was the purpose of the America First Committee?

The sole purpose of the America First Committee was to keep the country out of WWII. The AFC called FDR two-faced by saying he was against war but was forcing Congress to pass acts that aided the warring countries like Britain. Also, they urged America to not help any of the warring countries at all.