Download a copy of the lesson worksheet here before you begin!
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Warm-up for the brain: The United States is facing the Great Depression in the 1930's. How might this affect foreign policy prior to World War Two?
Class Discussion! Using the Course Blog, respond to the following prompt: "Based on prior learning, what are reasons that Americans would want to maintain an isolationist position during the interwar period (1918-1939)?" Remember to respond to at least two other student postings. |
Familiarization. Take notes and answer questions regarding foreign policy in the 1930's prior to World War Two.
Issue #1: The Hoover-Stimson Note (Stimson Doctrine)
Read here about the Hoover-Stimson Note. Answer the corresponding questions in your module worksheet.
Issue #2: The Johnson Debt Default Act of 1934
This act, sponsored by Senator Hiram Johnson forbade loans from the U.S. to countries that had defaulted on their debts owed from World War One. This meant that almost no European country could get a loan from the United States in order to finance a war effort. This act drove the United States into further isolation from Europe.
Issue #3: The Neutrality Acts
Read here about the Neutrality Acts and how this foreign policy affected the U.S. prior to World War Two.
Issue #4: Isolationism in the United States.
Read here on isolationism in the United States in the 1930's. Answer the corresponding questions in your module worksheet.
Read here for information on the America First Committee and its stance on U.S. policy in World War Two. An interesting source on Hollywood's role during World War Two as well. Answer the corresponding questions in you module worksheet.
Listen to this speech by Charles Lindbergh of aviation fame and then listen to Sen. James Byrnes' counter to Lindbergh. Write a one-page summary on who made a more convincing speech and why. Be sure to state which position each took, isolationist or interventionist.
Read here for information on the America First Committee and its stance on U.S. policy in World War Two. An interesting source on Hollywood's role during World War Two as well. Answer the corresponding questions in you module worksheet.
Listen to this speech by Charles Lindbergh of aviation fame and then listen to Sen. James Byrnes' counter to Lindbergh. Write a one-page summary on who made a more convincing speech and why. Be sure to state which position each took, isolationist or interventionist.
Interpret political cartoons.
Class Discussion! Using the Course Blog, discuss what measures you think could have been taken from 1918-1939 to have prevented World War Two. Make sure you think carefully about your ideas and don’t forget to look at your ideas from an opposing viewpoint in order to counter arguments against your ideas. Don't forget to respond to at least two other student postings.
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In the 1930's the combination of the Great Depression, the rise of totalitarianism, and imperialist ambition led to a series of actions meant to keep the United States out of foreign conflict. Organizations such as the America First Committee and its key spokesman, Charles Lindbergh, were part of a country which was heavily isolationist. President Roosevelt, aware of the dangers of the events overseas and the effects they would have on the country wanted to help the allies against totalitarian and imperialist aggression. However, he faced an isolationist Congress that he needed in order to facilitate his New Deal programs, his primary concern during the Depression.