Heimler's History: U.S. Foreign Policy Between the World Wars

Introduction

• Focus: American foreign policy between World War I and World War II
• Learning Objective: Explain the similarities and differences in attitudes about the nation’s proper role in the world

Post-World War I Isolationism

• Isolationism Defined: Desire for America to avoid European entanglements after World War I
• Warren G. Harding’s Presidency:
  • Elected in 1920 with promise of "return to normalcy"
  • Stressed healing and restoration, avoiding international entanglements

Policies Reflecting Isolationism

• Tariffs:
  • Fordney-McCumber Act (1922): Increased tariffs significantly
  • Smoot-Hawley Tariff (1930): Further raised tariffs, reducing international trade
• Kellogg-Briand Pact:
  • Pact signed by 63 nations to renounce war
  • Lacked enforcement mechanism; largely symbolic

Challenges to Isolationism in the 1930s

• Rise of fascist and totalitarian regimes in Europe:
  • Italy: Benito Mussolini and the Fascist party
  • Germany: Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party
  • Japan: Militaristic authoritarian government
• Aggressive moves by these regimes:
  • Japan invaded Manchuria (1931)
  • Germany occupied Rhineland (1936), Austria (1937), Czechoslovakia (1938)
  • Italy invaded Ethiopia (1936)
• Despite concerns, U.S. maintained isolationist stance

Outbreak of World War II

• Hitler's Invasion of Poland (1939): Triggered WWII
• American Neutrality:
  • Debate between isolationists and interventionists
  • Isolationists cited WWI casualties, Senate’s Nye Committee on war profits

Interventionist Argument

• Argued Atlantic Ocean no longer a viable buffer due to submarines and airplanes
• Concerns over potential defeat of Britain and spread of authoritarian regimes

Franklin D. Roosevelt's Position

• Intervening Isolationist:
  • Sympathetic to Britain, but lacked public support for full involvement
  • Implemented measures to aid Allies without overt involvement
• Key Policies:
  • Cash and Carry Program: Allowed purchase of arms with cash and own transportation
  • Destroyers for Bases: Exchanged destroyers for land rights with Britain
  • Lend-Lease Act (1941): Allowed Britain to obtain arms on credit

End of Isolationism

• Pearl Harbor Attack (December 7, 1941):
  • Japanese attack on U.S. naval base
  • Led to U.S. declaration of war against Japan and entry into WWII

Conclusion

• U.S. foreign policy shifted from isolationism to active involvement due to global events and threats from Axis powers
• Roosevelt’s gradual shift towards support for Allies demonstrated U.S. strategic interests

• Additional videos and resources are available for further study on Unit 7 of the AP U.S. History Curriculum.