America, despite its efforts, could not remain neutral and was forced to enter World War 1. Germany did not respect America’s decision to stay neutral and purposely sunk their ships in the British Isles. They sent the Zimmerman Telegram uniting other countries against America. Lastly, they blockaded British ports and prevented American trade with France and GB. Over 100,000 Americans died during WW1, but were rewarded with patriotism, an Allie victory and trade which once again
Jorge Luna February 23, 2013 Period: 1 U.S Foreign Policy Change between 1920-1941 From 1920-1941 the United States foreign policy changed from being a strict isolation and neutrality policy to a more liberal policy because of the circumstances and tensions of the future world war two. This new change in the policy allowed America to help its allies and keep America safe from the totalitarian dictators of its time. In 1918 after the First World War ended, the United States created a foreign policy in which they stated that they weren’t going to help in any way any nation at war. Many of the reasons were because of the economic depression that was going on also, because the people of America didn’t want to go to war again. For a few years America tried to isolate itself from the rest of the world trying to ignore the fight leading up to World War Two.
Although, the development of change already faced opposition from right-winged supporters, including rich landowners who feared social changes that the Republic would try to implement. Under Generals Sanjurjo, Franco and Mola, the Spanish Civil War began as a military coup, which was aimed to put an end to the democratic political change that was seen in 1931. As seen in Italy with Mussolini in 1922 and with Hitler in Germany in 1933, one could argue that the rise of fascism subsequently kick started the demand of a takeover in Spain. But, we have to bear in mind the bad timing of 1931 to implement such a change, with the worldwide economic crisis caused by the 1929 Wall Street Crash in America, and the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, there was now fear throughout Europe of communism and revolution. Although at the beginning of the rebellion, the three main generals were not actually all in Spain.
In 1933, Hitler, leader of the Nazi party, was named Chancellor of Germany. After World War I the League of Nations had forced Germany to accept responsibility for the war. They lost land, were banned from building new submarines and aircraft, and had to pay for damages caused by the war. (Gordon, page 343) Hitler and the Nazi party wanted revenge on the winners of World War I and the Socialists, Communists, and Jews, who he blamed for Germany’s loss in World War I. (Ward and Burns, page 16) Hitler decided to take over other countries and to kill Jews.
Their scholarship seemed to reveal the war as it sordid scramble among imperialist powers. -the new disillusion was clinched in 1934 and 1935 by the work of the Senate committee set up under the chairmanship of Gerald P. Nye of North Dakota to investigate the munitions industry. - The Nye committee purported to show that the United States had been shoved into the war when international bankers saw no other way to guarantee be payment of the vast credits they had granted to the Western Allies. - Nye also charged Wilson with duplicity in pretending to be ignorant of the secret treaties. - The Nye Committee consolidated the isolationists' argument.
Their plan was to use the money they were going to receive from Germany and Austria, but the Central powers never followed through. Financial collapse seemed everywhere, spreading like wildfire. In May 1931, the largest bank in Austria even collapsed. It was evident that the Depression had taken its toll. In 1930 President Roosevelt won election and started the New deal in hopes of turning American strife around.
FDR took a different approach with Japan, he viewed the German threat more prevalent than the Japanese. He strategy was to strangle the island into submission through an economic war. Japan was completely dependent on imports and raw materials from other countries, mainly the US to keep the production of wartime materials. In 1938, Roosevelt issued an embargo against Japan, restricting the trade of steel and oil in hopes to bring Japanese expansion to a halt. With only a six month supply of oil in reserve Japan was forced to make a quick decision that would have an enormous impact on world events.
As demonstrated by Wilson’s League of Nations, Hitler’s reign, and the start of World War II, America gradually changed its foreign policy from avoiding foreign issues to becoming involved in global affairs, which in fact, was inevitable. During this period of time, many Americans still held an isolationist view. They were too arrogant at the time to not only become more aware but also more active in foreign affairs. With the presidency of Harding and Coolidge, the popular view of the time was the return to “normalcy”. In 1920, Harding made a speech opposing Wilson’s plan for the League of Nations (Doc A).
Progressives, like Wilson, sought to protect the interests of the people and they feared that war would destroy everything that they had accomplished over the years to improve the American quality of life. . The War was seen as imperialistic and imperialism led to corruption. In addition to the fear of Europe’s’ encroaching imperialism, the progressives were afraid of what would happen to the reforms and the movement were the U.S. to declare war (Wilson, 13). War destroyed the family and the family was the center of society and government in the progressive
Two and a quarter billion dollars is a large sum of money, and if the United States were to lose this money, it would have more than likely been catastrophic and it would've brought about economic collapse in America. It was vital that in some way, the United States ensured the return of their borrowed money. At the time, many people were aware of the massive amounts of money funded in the war. In opposition to Woodrow Wilson's War Message, Senator George W. Norris talked about the money that has been spent.We have loaned many hundreds of millions of dollars to the Allies in