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Published Time: 2025-04-28T09:51:44.000Z
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## In 1939, Hitler invaded Poland launching the Second World War. The United States still reeling from the
## Great Depression remained neutral. In the 1930s, while many Americans were concerned about the rise
## of fascism and totalitarianism, most opposed taking direct action against the aggression of Nazi Germany
## and Japan untilPearl Harbor (Key Concept, 7.3 II E)
Source: Report from the Nye Committee
The committee finds, under the head of the effect of armaments on peace, that some of the munitions companies have
occasionally had opportunities to intensify the fears of people for their neighbors and have used them to their own profit.The
committee finds, further, that the very quality which in civilian life tends to lead toward progressive civilization, namely the
improvements of machinery, has been used by the munitions makers to scare nations into a continued frantic expenditure for
the latest improvements in devices of warfare. The constant message of the traveling salesman of the munitions companies to
the rest of the world has been that they now had available for sale something new, more dangerous and more deadly than ever
before and that the potential enemy was or would be buying it.While the evidence before this committee does not show that
wars have been started solely because of the activities of munitions makers and their agents, it is also true that wars rarely
have one single cause, and the committee finds it to be against the peace of the world for selfishly interested organizations to
be lef t free to goad and frighten nations into military activity..
> Source: Neutrality Act of 1935
> . . . Resolved by the Senate and House of
> Representatives of the United States of
> America in Congress assembled, That upon
> the outbreak or during the progress of war
> between, or among, two or more foreign
> states, the President shall proclaim such
> fact, and it shall thereafter be unlawful to
> export arms, ammunition, or implements of
> war from any place in the United States, or
> possessions of the United States, to any
> port of such belligerent states, or to any
> neutral port for transshipment to, or for
> the use of, a belligerent country.
Belligerent: nation engaged in war
Source: America First by Charles Lindbergh, April 1941
Whether or not we do enter the war, rests upon the shoulders of you in this
audience, upon us here on this platform, upon meetings of this kind that are
being held by Americans in every section of the United States today. It depends
upon the action we take, and the courage we show at this time. If you believe
in an independent destiny for America, if you believe that this country should
not enter the war in Europe, we ask you to join the America First Committee in
its stand. We ask you to share our faith in the ability of this nation to defend
itself, to develop its own civilization, and to contribute to the progress of
mankind in a more constructive and intelligent way than has yet been found by
the warring nations of Europe. We need your support, and we need it now. The
time to act is here. Source: FDRs Quarantine Speech, October 1937
..It is true that the moral consciousness of the world must recognize the importance of removing injustices and well-founded
grievances; but at the same time, it must be aroused to the cardinal necessity of honoring sanctity of treaties, of respecting
the rights and liberties of others, and of putting an end to acts of international aggression. It seems to be unfortunately true
that the epidemic of world lawlessness is spreading. When an epidemic of physical disease starts to spread, the community
approves and joins in a quarantine of the patients in order to protect the health of the community against the spread of the
diseaseIf civilization is to survive, the principles of the Prince of Peace must be restored. Shattered trust between nations must
be revived. Most important of all, the will for peace on the part of peace-loving nations must express itself to the end that
nations that may be tempted to violate their agreements and the rights of others will desist from such a cause. There must be
positive endeavors to preserve peace.
Source: FDR, Four Freedoms Speech, 1941
In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we
look forward to a world founded upon four essential
human freedoms
The first is freedom of speech and expression--
everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to
worship God in his own way--everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want--which,
translated into world terms, means economic
understandings which will secure to every nation a
healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants-everywhere in
the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear--which,
translated into world terms, means a world-wide
reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a
thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to
commit an act of physical aggression against any
neighbor--anywhere in the world.
Source :Dr. Seuss, 1941