American Isolationism

As we have seen, America was not exactly the most “sociable” of nations. Our interactions with foreign countries were few and far between. There is a historical precedent for America to be isolated from foreign affairs; in particular, 8 different events pave the way for this country to stay out of World War II well past its beginning.

Name Summary

Washington's Farewell Address, 1796

Monroe Doctrine, 1823

Treaty of Versailles, 1919

Washington Conference, 1921

Four-Power Treaty, 1922

Nine-Power Treaty, 1922

Kellogg-Briand Pact, 1928

Neutrality Acts, 1935

Read Roosevelt's response about “the German Menace”. Based on the acts you see above, why was his position so difficult? Do you think he was persuasive enough?

Destroyers-for-Bases:

Lend-Lease:

Ignore for the moment anything that you might already know about World War II and focus on the facts:

• Fact: Most Americans did not want to get involved• Fact: It was illegal to lend support to Britain• Fact: France had surrendered, and Britain was on the verge• Fact: A depression is still going on in your country (unemployment is at a still

high 15%)

My question to you is: Would you have supported the war? Would you want your President focused more on domestic or foreign issues? Defend your response.

What is Roosevelt's problem?

What are Roosevelt's best solutions?

George Washington's Farewell Address

“The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as

possible. So far as we have already formed engagements let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop.

Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of

which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary

vicissitudes of her politics or the ordinary combination and collisions of her friendships or enmities.

Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course. If we remain one people, under an efficient government, the

period is not far off when we may defy material injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality

we may at any time resolve upon to be scrupulously respected; when belligerent nations, under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; when we may choose peace

or war, as our interest, guided by justice, shall counsel.

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any

part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor, or caprice?

It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world, so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me

not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense, but in my opinion it is

unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them.

Taking care always to keep ourselves by suitable establishments on a respectable defensive posture, we may safely trust to temporary alliances for

extraordinary emergencies.”

Monroe Doctrine

“In the wars of the European powers, in matters relating to themselves, we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy to do so. It is

only when our rights are invaded, or seriously menaced, that we resent injuries, or make preparation for our defence

…We owe it, therefore, to candor, and to the amicable relations existing between the United States and those powers, to declare, that we should consider any

attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace and safety. With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered, and shall not

interfere.…

We [declare] our neutrality at the time of their recognition, and to this we have adhered, and shall continue to adhere, provided no change shall occur, which, in the judgment of the competent authorities of this government, shall make a corresponding change, on the part of the United States, indispensable

to their security.…

Our policy, in regard to Europe, which was adopted at an early stage of the wars which have so long agitated that quarter of the globe, nevertheless

remains the same, which is, not to interfere in the internal concerns of any of its powers; to consider the government de facto [by default] as the legitimate

government for us; to cultivate friendly relations with it, and to preserve those relations by a frank, firm, and manly policy; meeting, in all instances, the just

claims of every power; submitting to injuries from none.…

It is still the true policy of the United States to leave the parties to themselves, in the hope that other powers will pursue the same course.”

Treaty of Versailles

Senator Henry Cabot Lodge (Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee) Library of Congress LC-USZ62-96172

Evans, p. 173

Resolved (two-thirds of the senators present concurring therein), that the Senate advise and consent to the ratification of the treaty of peace with

Germany concluded at Versailles on the 28th day of June, 1919, subject to the following reservations and understandings, which are hereby made a part and condition of this resolution of ratification, which ratification is not to take

effect or bind the United States until the said reservations and understandings adopted by the Senate have been accepted by an exchange of

notes as a part and a condition of this resolution of ratification by at least three of the four principal allied and associated powers, to wit, Great Britain,

France, Italy, and Japan:

1. The United States so understands and construes Article I that in case of notice of withdrawal from the League of Nations, as provided in said article, the United States shall be the sole judge as to whether all Its international

obligations and all its obligations under the said Covenant have been fulfilled, and notice of withdrawal by the United States may be given by a concurrent

resolution of the Congress of the United States.

2. The United States assumes no obligation to preserve the territorial integrity or political independence of any other country or to interfere in

controversies between nations -- whether members of the League or not -- under the provisions of Article 10, or to employ the military or naval forces of the United States under any article of the treaty for any purpose, unless in

any particular case the Congress, which, under the Constitution, has the sole power to declare war or authorize the employment of the military or naval

forces of the United States, shall by act or joint resolution so provide.

3. No mandate shall be accepted by the United States under Article 22, Part 1, or any other provision of the treaty of peace with Germany, except by

action of the Congress of the United States.

4. The United States reserves to itself exclusively the right to decide what questions are within its domestic jurisdiction and declares that all domestic

and political questions relating wholly or in part to its internal affairs, including immigration, labor, coastwise traffic, the tariff, commerce, the suppression of traffic in women and children, and in opium and other

dangerous drugs, and all other domestic questions, are solely within the jurisdiction of the United States and are not under this treaty to be submitted in any way either to arbitration or to the consideration of the Council or of the Assembly of the League of Nations, or any agency thereof, or to the decision or

recommendation of any other power.

5. The United States will not submit to arbitration or to inquiry by the Assembly or by the Council of the League of Nations provided for in said

treaty of peace any questions which in the judgment of the United States depend upon or relate to its long-established policy, commonly

known as the Monroe Doctrine; said doctrine is to be interpreted by the United States alone and is hereby declared to be wholly outside the jurisdiction of said League of Nations and entirely unaffected by any

provision contained in the said treaty of peace with Germany.

Washington Conference

Treaty Between the United States of America, the British Empire, France, Italy, and Japan, Signed at Washington, February 6, 1922

Article III...Contracting Powers shall abandon their respective capital ship building

programs, and no new capital ships shall be constructed or acquired.

Article VINo capital ship of any of the Contracting Powers shall carry a gun with a

calibre in excess of 16 inches (406 millimetres).

Article XIINo vessel of war of any of the Contracting Powers, hereafter laid down, other than a capital ship, shall carry a gun with a calibre in excess of 8 inches (203

millimetres).

Article XIVNo preparations shall be made in merchant ships in time of peace for the

installation of warlike armaments for the purpose of converting such ships into vessels of war, other than the necessary stiffening of decks for the

mounting of guns not exceeding 6 inch (152 millimetres) calibre.

Article XVIIIEach of the Contracting Powers undertakes not to dispose by gift, sale or any mode of transfer of any vessel of war in such a manner that such vessel may

become a vessel of war in the Navy of any foreign Power.

Four Power Treaty

Treaty between the United States of America, the British Empire, France, and Japan, Signed at Washington December 13, 1921

I

The High Contracting Parties agree as between themselves to respect their rights in relation to their insular possessions and insular dominions in the

region of the Pacific Ocean.

If there should develop between any of the High Contracting Parties a controversy arising out of any Pacific question and involving their said rights

which is not satisfactorily settled by diplomacy and is likely to affect the harmonious accord now happily subsisting between them, they shall invite the other High Contracting Parties to a joint conference to which the whole

subject will be referred for consideration and adjustment.

II

If the said rights are threatened by the aggressive action of any other Power, the High Contracting Parties shall communicate with one another fully and

frankly in order to arrive at an understanding as to the most efficient measures to be taken, jointly or separately, to meet the exigencies of the

particular situation.

Nine Power Treaty

Treaty between the United States of America, Belgium, the British Empire, China, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Portugal, Signed at

Washington February 6, 1922

ARTICLE IThe Contracting Powers, other than China, agree:

(1) To respect the sovereignty, the independence, and the territorial and administrative integrity of China;

(2) To provide the fullest and most unembarrassed opportunity to China to develop and maintain for herself an effective and stable government;

(3) To use their influence for the purpose of effectually establishing and maintaining the principle of equal opportunity for the commerce and industry

of all nations throughout the territory of China;

(4) To refrain from taking advantage of conditions in China in order to seek special rights or privileges which would abridge the rights of subjects or

citizens of friendly States,[2] and from countenancing action inimical to the security of such States.

ARTICLE IIThe Contracting Powers agree not to enter into any treaty, agreement,

arrangement, or understanding, either with one another, or, individually or collectively, with any Power or Powers, which would infringe or impair the

principles stated in Article I.

ARTICLE IIIWith a view to applying more effectually the principles of the Open Door or

equality of opportunity in China for the trade and industry of all nations, the Contracting Powers, other than China, agree that they will not seek, nor

support their respective nationals in seeking-

(a) any arrangement which might purport to establish in favour of their interests any general superiority of rights with respect to commercial or

economic development in any designated region of China;

(b) any such monopoly or preference as would deprive the nationals of any other Power of the right of undertaking any legitimate trade or industry in China, or of participating with the Chinese Government, or with any local authority, in any category of public enterprise, or which by reason of its

scope, duration or geographical extent is calculated to frustrate the practical

application of the principle of equal opportunity.

It is understood that the foregoing stipulations of this Article are not to be so construed as to prohibit the acquisition of such properties or rights as may be necessary to the conduct of a particular commercial, industrial, or financial

undertaking or to the encouragement of invention and research.

China undertakes to be guided by the principles stated in the foregoing stipulations of this Article in dealing with applications for economic rights and

privileges from Governments and nationals of all foreign countries, whether parties to the present Treaty or not.

ARTICLE IVThe Contracting Powers agree not to support any agreements by their

respective nationals with each other designed to create Spheres of Influence or to provide for the enjoyment of mutually exclusive opportunities in

designated parts of Chinese territory.

...

ARTICLE VIIThe Contracting Powers agree that, whenever a situation arises which in the opinion of any one of them involves the application of the stipulations of the present Treaty, and renders desirable discussion of such application, there

shall be full and frank communication between the Contracting Powers concerned.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

THE PRESIDENT OF THE GERMAN REICH, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF

GREAT BRITAIN IRELAND AND THE BRITISH DOMINIONS BEYOND THE SEAS, EMPEROR OF INDIA, HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF ITALY, HIS

MAJESTY THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE CZECHOSLOVAK REPUBLIC

ARTICLE I

The High Contracting Parties solemnly declare in the names of their respective peoples that they condemn recourse to war for the solution of

international controversies, and renounce it, as an instrument of national policy in their relations with one another.

ARTICLE II

The High Contracting Parties agree that the settlement or solution of all disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be,

which may arise among them, shall never be sought except by pacific means.

ARTICLE III

The present Treaty shall be ratified by the High Contracting Parties named in the Preamble in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements, and shall take effect as between them as soon as all their several instruments

of ratification shall have been deposited at Washington.

This Treaty shall, when it has come into effect as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, remain open as long as may be necessary for adherence by all the

other Powers of the world. Every instrument evidencing the adherence of a Power shall be deposited at Washington and the Treaty shall immediately

upon such deposit become effective as; between the Power thus adhering and the other Powers parties hereto.

It shall be the duty of the Government of the United States to furnish each Government named in the Preamble and every Government subsequently

adhering to this Treaty with a certified copy of the Treaty and of every instrument of ratification or adherence. It shall also be the duty of the

Government of the United States telegraphically to notify such Governments immediately upon the deposit with it of each instrument of ratification or

adherence.

PROBLEM: Very few Americans have television sets, and even if they did, there is no CNN or satellite news to beam the terrible images of Nazi occupation into viewers homes. How can FDR bring the war to the people?

SOLUTION:

PROBLEM: The German Luftwaffe (air force) has stepped up their bombing raids on Britain. The British Royal Air Force has responded, but still no luck. FDR knows that he can't send troops or military support, but he desperately wants to help his British allies. How can FDR help the British without violating U.S. law?

SOLUTION:

PROBLEM: FDR is gearing the country up for war. He has instituted the first peacetime draft in U.S. history, and most observers see that he is preparing for American involvement on the continent. Here's the problem: the country is still in the midst of a Depression, with unemployment at almost 15%. Most of the federal money is being used in the New Deal. It seems as though FDR is going to bring the country out of a Depression AND fight a war at the same time. How can FDR pay for the war?

SOLUTION:

PROBLEM: The so-called “Axis Powers” of Germany, Italy, and Japan have begun their assault. Despite the presence of the Axis on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe), most of the attention has centered on Europe with the Nazis. But policymakers can't forget the Pacific Ocean either. FDR is faced with a tactical decision. Where should FDR focus his troops and support?

SOLUTION: