Assignment 05.01
1. Explain the reasons for U.S. neutrality during the 1920s and 1930s. How did ideas about neutrality change during the period from the end of World War I to the passage of the
LendLease Act? Be sure to include any events, terms, or people that may support your response. Americans wanted neutrality during the 1920s and 1930s because they saw that WWI did not end up accomplishing much and Europe was only devolving as Mussolini and Hitler gained power. In addition, the US had plenty of domestic problems to deal with, such as the Great
Depression. The tide began to slowly change, however, after President Roosevelt began quietly speaking out against isolationism. Roosevelt took many actions behind the scenes to help the Allies such as signing the “cash & carry” policy into law, which allowed the US to sell military supplies, and placing economic sanctions against Japan.
2. In your opinion, what was the point at which U.S. actions were no longer neutral? Explain your reasoning with supporting details from the lesson.
In my opinion, the point at which U.S. actions were no longer neutral was when Roosevelt exchanged 50 old battleships for the right to use eight British military bases. The reason I think this was the point at which U.S. actions were no longer neutral is because the was the first time that the U.S. had directly given aid to a country involved in World War II. In doing so, we let the world know who we supported.
3. Criticize or defend each of the U.S. actions surrounding World War II that are listed below.
Justify your opinion with supporting details from the lesson.
I think the 1st Neutrality Act was a good idea because when it was passed in 1935, the U.S. had not been directly affected by any of the actions of the warring European nations, and by selling them arms or lending them money the U.S. would have been dragged into another war only 20 years after World War I. I also think Cash and Carry was a good idea because it let us
LendLease Act? Be sure to include any events, terms, or people that may support your response. Americans wanted neutrality during the 1920s and 1930s because they saw that WWI did not end up accomplishing much and Europe was only devolving as Mussolini and Hitler gained power. In addition, the US had plenty of domestic problems to deal with, such as the Great
Depression. The tide began to slowly change, however, after President Roosevelt began quietly speaking out against isolationism. Roosevelt took many actions behind the scenes to help the Allies such as signing the “cash & carry” policy into law, which allowed the US to sell military supplies, and placing economic sanctions against Japan.
2. In your opinion, what was the point at which U.S. actions were no longer neutral? Explain your reasoning with supporting details from the lesson.
In my opinion, the point at which U.S. actions were no longer neutral was when Roosevelt exchanged 50 old battleships for the right to use eight British military bases. The reason I think this was the point at which U.S. actions were no longer neutral is because the was the first time that the U.S. had directly given aid to a country involved in World War II. In doing so, we let the world know who we supported.
3. Criticize or defend each of the U.S. actions surrounding World War II that are listed below.
Justify your opinion with supporting details from the lesson.
I think the 1st Neutrality Act was a good idea because when it was passed in 1935, the U.S. had not been directly affected by any of the actions of the warring European nations, and by selling them arms or lending them money the U.S. would have been dragged into another war only 20 years after World War I. I also think Cash and Carry was a good idea because it let us