Foreign Policy 1920-45 Flashcards

Question

Did FDR remain neutral onset war? Did FDR invite the attack on pearl harbour FDR obsessed w China’s great power status

Answer 1

He hoped China would develop into democratic nation and be beacon in Far East, blocking Jap aggression. Us did more trade w Jap than China (FDR keeps strong pro Chinese relations to keep US dominance there and keep Europe out) ONLY SMALL TENSION

Answer 2

1937 Nanking Massacre. US took little action and argued no war existed and the USA could continue to send arms to supply Shek This double standard led many to believe it was provacative Creates strong aggression and tension !

Answer 3

1937 Jap attack on American gunboat Panay while it was anchored outside Nanking Jap and US x at war Jap claimed they didn’t see American flags and paid an indemnity This caused US opinion to turn against Jap Partial tension only

Answer 4

1937 FDR condemns lawless nations. To some it seemed US moving away from neutrality. FDR still worked w Japanese leaders Many argue economic interests were not at stake for full interventions TENSION - moving away from neutrality

Answer 5

US imposed oil embargo severely restricted Jap poeef Why they launched a shoot attack in Dec 41 US then declared war on Jap and because of alliance system between Ger Itsly and Jap, US embroiled in the war on both fronts

Answer 6

Imperialism (copy cat) More resources needed for growth in pop Inability of LON ->decision making tricky, depression, US X joined X own army Alliance w Germany. Rome Berlin Triparlite Alliance Political will of leaders

Answer 7

Some criticise him for standing up to Japan and for making suicide thing Some say he’s isolationist Some blame him for pearl harbour - delibrately ignored warnings Some say he was an internationalist

Answer 8

Rejected wilsonism and turned America in on self Interest year - like isolationism Only in late 30s - reluctantly engage in international affairs Japan 41- WW2 end of isolationism

Answer 9

US dominance in world eco —> US played a role with Dawes and young Plan 1929 Extended Germany’s time tocpay debt

Answer 10

X isolationists 1922 WNC -> 3 major treaties signed 1922 At time = triumph for naval disarmament and for stability in Far East -> changed w rise of militarism in Japan and Manchiria conference 1931

Answer 11

Republican presidents had little interest in foreign affairs Harding and Coolidge focused and politics and economy at home When Jap invaded Manchiria 31- hoover took lil notice

Answer 12

President Roosevelt announced his ‘Good neighbour policy’ in March 1933 promising a new US policy of friendship and non intervention in Latin America

Answer 13

Proposed by Ludlow, a Democrat from Indonesia, to forbid the declaration of war w out gaining consent of the people in a national referendum Not passed

Answer 14

1935 Committing US to a policy of non-intervention in foreign wars, and preventing the sale of ammunition’s to the countries involved

Answer 15

Powers of federal gov FDR—> huge prestige as world statesman and commander is chief Federal gov inc size and collected taxes $1.9 bill - 1932 $45 bill - 1945 Roosevelt leadership vital for war Close Anglo-American cooperation in sharing secret intelligence derives from code breaking -> eg on FDR ability to take personal initiative w/o knowledge or approval of Congress

Answer 16

‘Good war’ saw emergence of US as military - industrial super power From 1940, Britain = incapable of continuing war w/o US loans and munitions From 1941- land-lease also provide essential assistance to USSR US sit power enabled mass bombing of Ger and Jap Liberation of Ger - 1944-45 —> due to vast war eco US Millions of J ops created US enjoyed benefits of consumer boom

Answer 17

The invasion of Poland was the 3rd stage of war of conquest -> began with Austria in March 1938 - followed by dismemberment of Czechoslovakia 1939 Hitler won European war 1941 December

Answer 18

Axis (Ger, It, Jap) v Alliance (USSR, US, BRI) went bad for allies 1942 On Eastern Front, Ger armies drove deep into southern Russia Britain looked to be losing Mata, Egypt and Suex Canal Ger U Bomb winning convoy war

Answer 19

41-43 balance of war shifted Soviet forces defeated the German invaders at stalingrad and kursh By May 1943- the battle of Atlantic had turned against U Boats Allied armies drove Germans out of North Africa and invaded Italy US forces halted Japanese expansion in Pacific

Answer 20

Axis crushed by superior military and eco power of allies Mass bombing destroyed the eco of Germany and Japan Germany invaded fromeast and west Soviet= US armies met in heart of Ger War ended w unconditional ( surrender of Ger and Jap )

Answer 21

for other countries —> mass destruction, mass casualties, rationing of basic food stuff and occupations by foreign armies US —> living standards went up Cultural life and pop entertainment thrived Supporting a strong sense of national unity

Answer 22

Strengthen trade union organisations AFL and CIO rained more influence Federal gov = pressure on employees to recognise unions CIO- no strike policy War led to inc social mobility Conscription Agricultural work Women UAW and FEPC

Answer 23

‘Good war’ -> success of propaganda Production reached high levels and civilian consumption went up by more than 10% Gap narrowed between rich and poor Surge in mass entertainment Radio reached every home

Answer 24

Still discrimination Trade unions continued to bar AA from membership In armed forces AA served mostly in segregated units

Answer 25

In 1945, unlike 1920- US assumed responsibility of world power and did not retreat to isolationism

Answer 26

1945 Long discussions devoted to planning post war peace The problem was that agreements hammered out at Yalta were provisional and incomplete, providing a final formal peace treaty later The final treaty was never signed and the Cold War occurred instead

Answer 27

Roosevelt’s successor Little knowledge in foreign affairs Was at Potsdam Had to bring war with Japan to conclusion

Answer 28

Stood up to Stalin But pushed Stalin too hard to move away from agreement previously made at Yalta Potsdam failed agreement Truman - success atomic bomb - Stalin found out

Answer 29

Manhattan project 1641 Successful 1945 Truman found out but do did stalin Bomb used to destroy cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki inc Aug 1645 Was it necessary? Not US is dominant

Answer 30

Unemployment fell to 1.9% by 1945 as 20% employed in army - despite this consumption X rise - Americans were enc to spend to spend less and purchase WAR BONDS to help finance the war n - Victory Loans drives were held to enc Americans to purchase bonds

Answer 31

Finding for war gov and tax - inc 5-6X 1941-45

Answer 32

Decline in investment and consumption

Answer 33

People enc pressure to preserve food and make own. Freezes also instigated for wages. Living standards for employed X improve. GDP- WW2 did X cause permanent trend or inc after war ended

Answer 34

After 1929 crash, price of gold rose by people redeeming $ in gold Federal reserve made worse by raising interest When WW2 - done - countries yes abandon gold standard

Answer 35

Creation of IMF whose purpose was to promote stability of exchange rates and financial flows IRBD whose purpose was to speed reconstruction after WW2 and faster eco development esp thru lending to build infrastructure Other recommendations for international economic co-operation Gave nations flexibility then strict gold standard but less volatile than no standard

Answer 36

More even distribution of wealth Created the ideal conditions for the formation of an advanced consumer economy More wealth could now be spent as restrictions lifted

Answer 37

Price controlling and rationing held back consumption No buy goods like washing machines, irons etc as the raw materials and production capabilities to produce these goods needed for war effort WAR PRODUCTION BOARD —> able to assign priorities to scarce materials such as rubber and steel- to ensure went to production of military X domestic OFFICE OF PRICE ADMINISTRATION —> in addition, wages were controlled and personal savings = encouraged through purchases of war bonds - limit disposable income

Answer 38

Never a real partnership Deep ideological differences between West and Soviet Union - it can be argued ‘Cold War’ existed since 1939 Allies only came together against Hitler Once Hitler fear gone as Ger close to defeat - tensions between allies occurred Cold War - 1949-beginning Trained 1945

Answer 39

Women entered workforce and +6 million part of workforce in WW2 Women worked industrial jobs Rosie riveter iconic figure - work Those who worked were known as ‘Rosies’ The office of war information - posters 1942- Roosevelt created Women’s Auxillary forces which inc branches of the military specifically for women Women X allowed to participate in armed conflict + most women in military = FANKS jobs eg clerks, secretaries Kept communication going -women who served in the medical corps faced more danger as their work was usually performed closer to front lines

Answer 40

Men and women voluntarily enlisted in armed forces in record numbers By end of war- more than 12 million members of US armed forces More than 350,000 women served on US military and 750,000 served as nurses

Answer 41

Newspaper and radio programming were geared towards reporting the war and keeping civilians informed There were songs and movies produced with patriotic themes Actors, singers and other entertainers travelled across the country to entertain troops

Answer 42

Mass immigration of families from the inner cities to suburbs Better QOL and stronger nuclear family Migration led to rebirth of American religion - associated with suburban living Less than 50% Americans belonged to specific church before onset WW2. 1950- decreased War also caused labour shortages in agricultural industry as farmers enlisted in war In agreement w Mexico, FDR created the BRACERO PROGRAM- allowed Mexican labourers temp to workers - farms Between 1942-46, more than 4 billion bracoes came to US under this

Answer 43

Military was segregated Blacks led by white officers Some change came on the home front. Randolph presented Roosevelt with grievances regarding African American workers rights Randolph planned a huge protest on Washington it demands not met Fearing such a protest could undermine wartime unify —> Roosevelt executes executive order 8802 This banned discriminatory employment practices by federal agencies all unions engaging war related work The availability of new jobs in US factories attract AA. AA migrated to major manufacturing areas in North and West. AA worked on gov wartime agencies and war industries

Answer 44

FDR massively increases the size and role and prestige of the federal government However the federal government was small and Executive had a limited role compared to the legislative To enact new deal- FDR had to create new structures and employ more people When confronting massive issues, he deliberately kept info from the public and misled many Due to war - tried to stand for 3rd and 4th term. 22 amendment limited this to 2

Answer 45

TVA WPA and NRA all saw federal gov regulation, labour relation and for first time, federal gov directly involved more than ever in supply of relief and event welfare

Answer 46

Federal go travel across America worked with states initiating land reform Expansion faced criticism by rich easterners who opposed labour and tax reforms. Some liked it US united against him in his battle w Supreme Court

Answer 47

EBA extended press power w setup of Federal Reserve system. The president also took US off gold FDR inc the 6bof federal gov, changing the role between congress and White House From 1930s president expected to give detailed legislative programmes to congress Created anxiety despite Roosevelt and Taft also wanting compulsory retirement Also 1924, La Follette had introduced measures to allow 2/3 congressional support to override Supreme Court decisions. There had been 100 court bill reform bills up to 1936 This should not diminish FDR’s hostility. FDR said he would ignore Supreme Court if they overturned gold standard reversal

Answer 48

FDR’s closest Luke Pettergill denounces his Court packing Ultimately FDR failed Despite failure, the SSA and NLRA was not struck down It badly damaged his reputation and oushas d southern dem and republicans closer together In 1938, FDR talked about purging the conservative elements in congress and he targeted 5 congressmen and relations between congress worsened, leading to very little legislation from the president to congress

Answer 49

FDR set up the War production Board, the office of WAR mobilisation and the Office of price administration Congress gave him the power to control conscription, raw materials, man power, rents, prices, rationing of consumer items The Bureau of budget was reorganised and reported to president instead of treasury Giving President these powers meant key debates only went on in White House Much or war planning took place in the bite house, FDR streamlined the command structure and set up Joints Chief of Staff He did this personally without congress

Answer 50

His proposal for the Economic Bill of Rights which would extend right to education jobs and welfare refused by congress Congress also passed a tax bill over the presidential veto 1944

Answer 51

Not making public aware of the limitations of American power in post war climate with discussions with Stalin over future of Eastern Europe They accuse him of betraying Europe and only getting vague promises in attempt to keep situation fluid

Answer 52

Needs approval of HOC and LORDS to declare war No guarantee his party will have majority in houses of Congress President cannot win the loyalty of his supporters by offering them jobs or threatening them with removal Members of Congress pay much more attention to views of their constituents than they do to presidential wishes

Answer 53

Germany unrestricted u boat warfare Zimmerman 3 American merchantmen were torpedoed, one w heavy loss of life Democracy Restore world order

Answer 54

But Wilson took no republicans w him to Paris Wilson insisted on unqualified acceptance of Article X of Covenant of LON- required all members of League to respect and preserve as against external aggression 2 October Wilson stroke Didn’t sign LON 1919-1920= Paris peace conference

Answer 55

Harding Passed a restrictive Immigration Act 1924 Depression

Answer 56

Significantly Led to amending neutrality acts - give arms to ally countries

Foreign Policy 1920-45 Flashcards

(81 cards)