22. Foreign Policy in the 1930s

I. Hoover/Stimson Diplomacy Japan
    A. Japan alleges provocation – invades Manchuria – Japan quits League of Nations
        1. Interventionist Sec. of State Stimson encourages embargo/Isolationist Hoover disagrees
        2. 1932  - Stimson doctrine – US would not recognize new territorial acquisitions
        3. League proves useless World War II technically begins

II. Good Neighbor Policy – economic imperialism difficult with slowing economy – alters Roosevelt Corollary
    A. Hoover takes troops out of some S. American nations – treat Southern neighbors more fairly

III. London Economic Conference – Summer 1933
    A. American wants to stay isolated so doesn’t meet with other nations to work on ending Depression
        1. Led to extreme nationalism among European countries – working together ain’t happening

IV. Disarmament
    A.

V. Congress Legislates Neutrality – World War I blamed on munitions makers wanting money
A. Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, 1937 – America could not sell/transport to belligerents, sail on their boats, or make loans – only effects American-declared wars
    1. Ended freedom of the seas – also won’t even help victims – considered belligerent
    2. Some even ask for Constitutional Amendment

VI. Aggressors: Japan, Italy, and Germany – nations swept up in nationalism, militarism – dictators rule

VII. Appeasement – avoiding World War II at all costs – gives into demands of leaders
    A. Germany – Ignore Treaty of Versailles – Austria > Czechoslovakia – Munich Conference
    B. Japan invades China – Roosevelt’s Quarantine Speech decried by isolationists

VII. Rearmament – cash and carry policy first – to stop Germany’s blitzkrieg (lightning fast war)
    A. Lend-lease – US would be arsenal of democracy – send guns, not sons – lend arms and then they can return later – led to America’s rearmament
    B. Destroyers for bases – give old destroyers in exchange for bases around world

VIII. Atlantic Charter – Atlantic Conference 1941 – Churchill and Roosevelt meet for first time
    A. Discuss how to make world safer for democracies at end of war
    B. People can choose own government, can take no territory without consent of people
    C. Looked at as non-isolationist – Roosevelt making treaties with other nations

IX. Pearl Harbor – 1940 embargo on Japan bound supplies – taking oil hurts Japan
    A. Broke Japanese code – knew war was coming – thought in Malaya or Philippines
    B. December 8, 1941declared war on Japan after “date that will live in infamy” short by one vote