"Isolationism" and FDR (1935-1941)

1. What were the goals of the isolationists? Why is "isolationism" a misleading term?

The goals of isolationists were to stay out of war and believed neutrality was the best way to do that. They feared that technology would make the war even worse than WWI and that america's economy would not be able to stand another war. Their primary goal was to put American interests first. However the term isolationism is misleading because isolationists did not seek to completely sever ties with other countries, most favored international trade and respected the laws put into place since WWI.

2. What did some isolationists feel that there was no need for Americans to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia?

Some isolationists felt this way because of the pacific and atlantic oceans that separated America from Europe and Asia and the US had good relationships with the other countries in the western hemisphere.

3. What were the purposes of the Nye Committee hearings?

The purposes of the Nye Committee hearings were to uncover the reasons that the US had gotten involved with WWI through investigation of the munitions industry and the banking industry.The Nye Committee hearings hoped to prevent the U.S. from entering another world war.

4. List two impressions that the Nye Committee hearings created.

1. The Nye committee hearing increased the isolationist mood in the US and
2. Through newspaper coverage it created the impression that many American soldiers had died in WWI due to big corporations convincing Wilson to go to war.



5. What were the purposes of the Neutrality Acts?

The purposes of the Neutrality Acts were to keep the United States out of war through a strict policy of neutrality.

6. List two reasons that some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous.

1. When Roosevelt tried to "pack" the Supreme Court some Americans felt that he was becoming a dictator and 2. When he ran for a third term some Americans also saw this as too much power.

7. What was "Cash and Carry"?

Cash and Carry was part of the Neutrality acts that allowed the US to trade with other countries if the countries paid cash and picked up the goods themselves.

8. Why did President Roosevelt freeze Japanese assets in the United States?

Roosevelt froze Japanese assets in the US because he hoped it would prevent the Japanese from becoming more aggressive.

9. What was the purpose of the America First Committee?

The purpose of the America First Committee was to keep the United States out of war.