Question 1 To what extent did the United States, under President Roosevelt, maintain neutrality leading up to WWII? Use the documents and your knowledge of the period from 1937 to 1945 to answer the question. The 8-9 Essay Contains a thesis that clearly outlines the changes in American feelings The thesis is supported throughout the essay Uses a significant number of documents effectively Draws on extensive outside information to reinforce each document Small errors are acceptable Clearly organized Shows evidence of sophisticated analysis Clearly articulates arguments The 5-7 Essay Thesis outlines changes less effectively Thesis is moderately supported throughout essay Effectively uses some documents Outside information is used for some documents Several small errors Moderately organized Fairly sophisticated analysis Effectively expresses points The 2-4 Essay Thesis that fails to outline changes in American feelings Rarely supports thesis in essay Uses some documents incorrectly, others mildly effectively Little to no outside information Distracting, large errors Little to no organization Simplistic analysis of documents Fails to effectively prove point The 0-1 Essay No thesis, or off topic thesis Shows failure to understand the question Uses documents incorrectly, if at all No outside information Errors that invalidate argument No organization Simple arguments, if any Generally fails at accomplishing anything
Document A Source: Excerpt of Neutrality Act (1937) Export of Arms, Ammunition, and Implements of War Section 1. (a) Whenever the President shall find that there exists a state of war between, or among, two or more foreign states, the President shall proclaim such fact, and it shall thereafter be unlawful to export, or attempt to export, or cause to be exported, arms, ammunition, or implements of war from any place in the United States to any belligerent state named in such proclamation, or to any neutral state for transshipment to, or for the use of, any such belligerent state. Document B
Document C Source: Radio address on the outbreak of war in Europe (1939) Franklin D. Roosevelt This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well. Even a neutral has a right to take account of facts. Even a neutral cannot be asked to close his mind or close his conscience I hope the United States will keep out of this war. I believe that it will And I give you assurance and reassurance that every effort of your Government will be directed toward that end As long as it remains within my power to prevent, there will be no blackout of peace in the United States. Document D Source: Declaration of War on Nazi Germany (1941) On the morning of December eleventh, the Government of Germany, pursuing its course of world conquest, declared war against the United States Delay invites greater danger. Rapid and united effort by all of the peoples of the world who are determined to remain free will insure a world victory of the forces of justice and of righteousness over the forces of savagery and of barbarism I therefore request the Congress to recognize a state of war between the United States and Germany
Document E Document F Source: Radio Address on Selective Service Registration Day (1940) Franklin D. Roosevelt Calmly, without fear and without hysteria, but with clear determination, we are building guns and planes and tanks and ships--and all the other tools which modern defense requires. We are mobilizing our citizenship, for we are calling on men and women and property and money to join in making our defense effective. Today's registration for training and service is the key-stone in the arch of our national defense.
Document G Source: State of the union address (1940) Franklin D. Roosevelt The overwhelming majority of our fellow citizens do not abandon in the slightest their hope and their expectation that the United States will not become involved in military participation in these wars I can also understand the wishfulness of those who oversimplify the whole situation by repeating that all we have to do is to mind our own business and keep the nation out of war. But there is a vast difference between keeping out of war and pretending that this war is none of our business.
Document H
Document Information and Inferences Document A Demonstrates America s proclamation of neutrality. Shows complete lack of involvement, even through indirect aid. America has no desire to become involved in war. Document B The Coast Guard needs men to enlist. Americans are becoming more passionate about the war. Propaganda is used to get an emotional response. Contrasts earlier statements. Document C FDR is staunchly against war. The president asks Americans to maintain neutrality. Roosevelt believes there are those who support war, and those who don t. He wants to appeal to as many people as possible, and may later shift as public opinion changes. Document D FDR has called for a declaration of war against Germany. He wants everyone to unite quickly to fight the growing oppression. FDR went from proclaiming neutrality to declaring war, what made him do this? Germany has threatened the safety of the American people; perhaps their neutrality policy will shift. Document E The depression stops immigration in it s tracks, and as it starts to pick up again, the war slows it down. With neutrality came a sense of isolationism that the American people saw through to the immigration laws. Document F
America is preparing for war. Everyone is needed in this effort. FDR says modern defense not modern warfare. The enemy is seen as viciously destroying liberty. The war could possibly jumpstart the American economy. Document G People are still very concerned about the war. There is a slight possibility America may enter the war. Despite neutrality proclaimed 3 years earlier, war is becoming a possibility. The war is starting to affect Americans and their sense of isolationism. People are starting to feel like we need to step in. Document H The United States is keeping oil from Japan, providing resources to Europe, and keeping Japan from attacking China. FDR s neutrality policy has become corrupt, and all but nonexistent. These are the slow steps leading up to all-out involvement in the war. Outside Information
Cash and Carry Lend and Lease Isolationists, and Isolationism Protest against the war Undeclared war Naval Warfare U-Boats Containment of Communism Holocaust Nazi Germany Adolph Hitler D-Day Second Front Operation Torch Propaganda War Production Board Double V Spread of Communism Pearl Harbor Neutrality Act Atlantic Charter Open Door Policy Rationing Trench Warfare North Africa Rommel El Alamein Egypt Pacific fleet George C. Marshall Dwight D. Eisenhower China Winston Churchill Douglas MacArthur Stalingrad Bibliography
Document A U.S. Congress. "Neutrality Act, 1937." United States Statutes at Large, 75th Cong., Sess. I, p. 121-128. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE52&iPin=E00930&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010). Document B "World War II Recruitment Poster." National Archives and Records Administration. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE52&iPin=AHI0660&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010). Document C Roosevelt, Franklin D. "Radio Address on the Outbreak of War in Europe." The Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE52&iPin=E00220&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010). Document D United States. "Declaration of War on Nazi Germany." The Public Papers and Addresses of Franklin D. Roosevelt. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE52&iPin=E02660&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010). Document E "Estimated Number of Refugees Admitted to the United States." American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE52&iPin=AMHC0440&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010). Document F Roosevelt, Franklin D. "Radio Address on Selective Service Registration Day." The Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE52&iPin=E00210&SingleReco rd=true (accessed April 29, 2010). Document G Roosevelt, Franklin D. "State of the Union Address, 1940." American Presidency Project. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE52&iPin=E13871&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010). Document H Document H was created by Nikhil Schneider