London Economic Conference-
Coordinate an international relief for the depression, however FDR did not want intervention in his plans for US recovery. The collapse of the conference encouraged global trends of nationalism and isolationism
Road to WW2
1933 - London Economic Conference
1933
1934
Reciprocal Trade Agreements - more free trade due to Roosevelt lifting Hoover's tariffs.
"Good neighbour policy" - America doesn't interact with Latin American countries and releases control on countries such as Cuba and Panama.
Appeasement in Europe
dictators (especially Hitler) went unchecked and were allowed to seize land without repercussions, leading to rising tensions among larger countries. Most clearly associated with Britain's Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain
1935
Neutrality Acts - America doesn't sell arms, give loans, and doesn't allow entanglements. continued through 1939.
1937
Neutrality Act (See 1935) - Japan invades China in 1937.
Quarantine Speech-
Condemned Japan's invasion of China, which was the first sign he was attempting to slowly move the country out of isolationism even though he regressed on his stance later.
1939
Neutrality Act (See 1935) - Hitler invades Poland, and makes a world war by bringing European powers.
1940
The Embargo -
The United States imposed its first trade embargo on Japan in 1940. This led to brewing tensions between the US and Japan, eventually leading to the events of Pearl Harbor.
1941
Lend-Lease Act -
Enacted in March 1941, the act allowed for the United States to sell or loan war materials to countries that the president determines to be vital to the defense of the nation.
Bombing of Pearl Harbor -
On December 7, 1941, Japanese bombers attack Pearl Harbor, killing multiple Americans and destroying the battleships after the US had imposed an oil embargo and froze Japanese assets.
Declaration of War (December 11) -
4 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Congress declared war after the bombing of infamous bombing of Pearl Harbor, ending the era of United States neutrality.