5 Questions
What did FDR compare the situation to, emphasizing the urgency for the U.S. to become the 'great arsenal of democracy'?
A state of war
Which country did FDR initially work to provide with weapon sales to overcome restrictions during their conflict with Germany and Italy?
Britain
What action did FDR take in response to the collapse of France and Britain standing alone against Germany?
Supported a peacetime draft
Despite warnings about America's military readiness, what did Roosevelt continue doing?
Selling arms to Britain
Which region was Japan expanding its empire in, creating a crisis in the Pacific during FDR's time?
Asia
Study Notes
- FDR emphasized the urgency of the situation, comparing it to a state of war, and called for the U.S. to become the "great arsenal of democracy."
- Between September 1939 and 1941, FDR worked to overcome restrictions on weapon sales to countries at war, starting with Britain and then the Soviet Union in their conflict with Germany and Italy.
- Facing the collapse of France and Britain standing alone against Germany, FDR increased military spending, supported a peacetime draft, and arranged deals to provide Britain with American destroyers and leases to bases in the Atlantic.
- Despite warnings about America's own military readiness, Roosevelt continued selling arms to Britain and proposed lending or leasing war materials to support the British war effort.
- FDR had to navigate American reluctance to get involved in the war, while also managing a crisis in the Pacific where Japan was expanding its empire, putting his intellectual and political skills to the test.
Explore Franklin D. Roosevelt's strategic decisions and actions leading up to U.S. involvement in World War II, including increasing military spending, supporting Britain, and navigating the challenges of a country reluctant to engage in a global conflict.
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