Lecture Notes: American Foreign Policy Between World Wars
Summary
In this session, we explored U.S. foreign policy between World War I and World War II, focusing on America's swing towards isolationism and eventual involvement in global conflicts despite initial resistance. The primary learning objective was to explain the similarities and differences in attitudes about America’s role in the world during this period.
Key Points
Post-World War I Isolationism
- 1920 Presidential Election
- Americans elected Warren G. Harding with his promise of a “return to normalcy”.
- His policy emphasized healing and restoration of national pride, avoiding international entanglements.
Protectionist Policies
- Increase in Tariffs
- 1922 Fordney-McCumber Act and 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff significantly raised tariffs on imported goods.
- Protective tariffs made foreign goods more expensive, encouraging domestic purchases but reducing international trade.
Diplomatic Efforts to Avoid War
- Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)
- Signed by 63 nations including the U.S., aimed to make war illegal in principle.
- Lacked enforcement as it was signed outside the authority of the League of Nations, rendering it ineffective.
Rise of Global Militarism in the 1930s
- Observations of increasing totalitarian and fascist regimes:
- Italy: Rise of Benito Mussolini and the Fascist party.
- Germany: Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party took control.
- Japan: Adopted militaristic and authoritarian governance.
- U.S. observed without involvement:
- Japan’s invasion of Manchuria (1931).
- Germany’s occupation of Rhineland (1936), Austria (1937), and Czechoslovakia (1938).
- Italy’s control over Ethiopia (1936).
Debate Over U.S. Involvement as WWII Approached
- Isolationists
- Highlighted fatalities of WWI, questioning the effectiveness of prior involvement.
- Nye Committee revealed that corporate profits may have influenced WWI engagement.
- Interventionists
- Argued the Atlantic Ocean was no longer a sufficient buffer due to technological advances in warfare.
- Feared that a defeated Britain could open the path for authoritarian regimes to target the U.S.
Shift Toward Involvement Under FDR
- Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Policies
- Adopted a stance of an “intervening isolationist”, sympathizing with Britain but contained by isolationist public opinion.
- Gradual Aid to Allies
- Cash and Carry Program: Allowed belligerents to buy U.S. arms if they paid cash and transported them themselves.
- Destroyers for Bases Agreement: Exchanged U.S. destroyers for British base rights.
- Lend-Lease Act (1941): Allowed Britain and later other Allies to acquire arms on credit.
Entry into World War II
- Attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941)
- Japanese attack on Hawaii resulted in massive U.S. casualties and material losses.
- Prompted the U.S. to officially enter the war after Roosevelt ’s request to Congress.
Conclusion
Initially committed to isolationism post-WWI, the U.S. was pulled gradually into global engagement due to rising threats from totalitarian regimes and attacks on its territories, culminating in its entry into WWII after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
For a deeper understanding, tune into related videos and resources provided by Heimler’s History on AP U.S. History.