Question 1
To what extent did the United States, under President Roosevelt, maintain neutrality
leading up to WWII? Use the documents and your knowledge of the period from 1937 to
1945 to answer the question.
The 8-9 Essay
Contains a thesis that clearly outlines the changes in American feelings
The thesis is supported throughout the essay
Uses a significant number of documents effectively
Draws on extensive outside information to reinforce each document
Small errors are acceptable
Clearly organized
Shows evidence of sophisticated analysis
Clearly articulates arguments
The 5-7 Essay
Thesis outlines changes less effectively
Thesis is moderately supported throughout essay
Effectively uses some documents
Outside information is used for some documents
Several small errors
Moderately organized
Fairly sophisticated analysis
Effectively expresses points
The 2-4 Essay
Thesis that fails to outline changes in American feelings
Rarely supports thesis in essay
Uses some documents incorrectly, others mildly effectively
Little to no outside information
Distracting, large errors
Little to no organization
Simplistic analysis of documents
Fails to effectively prove point
The 0-1 Essay
No thesis, or off topic thesis
Shows failure to understand the question
Uses documents incorrectly, if at all
No outside information
Errors that invalidate argument
No organization
Simple arguments, if any
Generally fails at accomplishing anything
Document A
Source: Excerpt of Neutrality Act (1937)
Export of Arms, Ammunition, and Implements of War
Section 1. (a) Whenever the President shall find that there exists a state of war
between, or among, two or more foreign states, the President shall proclaim such
fact, and it shall thereafter be unlawful to export, or attempt to export, or cause to
be exported, arms, ammunition, or implements of war from any place in the
United States to any belligerent state named in such proclamation, or to any
neutral state for transshipment to, or for the use of, any such belligerent state.
Document B
Document C
Source: Radio address on the outbreak of war in Europe (1939) Franklin D.
Roosevelt
This nation will remain a neutral nation, but I cannot ask that every American
remain neutral in thought as well. Even a neutral has a right to take account of
facts. Even a neutral cannot be asked to close his mind or close his conscience…
I hope the United States will keep out of this war. I believe that it will…And I give
you assurance and reassurance that every effort of your Government will be
directed toward that end…As long as it remains within my power to prevent, there
will be no blackout of peace in the United States.
Document D
Source: Declaration of War on Nazi Germany (1941)
On the morning of December eleventh, the Government of Germany, pursuing its
course of world conquest, declared war against the United States…Delay invites
greater danger. Rapid and united effort by all of the peoples of the world who are
determined to remain free will insure a world victory of the forces of justice and of
righteousness over the forces of savagery and of barbarism…I therefore request
the Congress to recognize a state of war between the United States and
Germany…
Document E
Document F
Source: Radio Address on Selective Service Registration Day (1940) Franklin D.
Roosevelt
Calmly, without fear and without hysteria, but with clear determination, we are
building guns and planes and tanks and ships--and all the other tools which
modern defense requires. We are mobilizing our citizenship, for we are calling on
men and women and property and money to join in making our defense effective.
Today's registration for training and service is the key-stone in the arch of our
national defense.
Document G
Source: State of the union address (1940) Franklin D. Roosevelt
The overwhelming majority of our fellow citizens do not abandon in the slightest
their hope and their expectation that the United States will not become involved in
military participation in these wars…I can also understand the wishfulness of
those who oversimplify the whole situation by repeating that all we have to do is
to mind our own business and keep the nation out of war. But there is a vast
difference between keeping out of war and pretending that this war is none of our
business.
Document H
Document Information and Inferences
Document A
Document Information:
Demonstrates America’s proclamation of neutrality.
Shows complete lack of involvement, even through indirect aid.
Document Inferences:
America has no desire to become involved in war.
Document B
Document Information:
The Coast Guard needs men to enlist.
Document Inferences:
Americans are becoming more passionate about the war.
Propaganda is used to get an emotional response.
Contrasts earlier statements.
Document C
Document Information:
FDR is staunchly against war.
The president asks Americans to maintain neutrality.
Document Inferences:
Roosevelt believes there are those who support war, and those who don’t.
He wants to appeal to as many people as possible, and may later shift as public
opinion changes.
Document D
Document Information:
FDR has called for a declaration of war against Germany.
He wants everyone to unite quickly to fight the growing oppression.
Document Inferences:
FDR went from proclaiming neutrality to declaring war, what made him do this?
Germany has threatened the safety of the American people; perhaps their
neutrality policy will shift.
Document E
Document Information:
The depression stops immigration in it’s tracks, and as it starts to pick up again,
the war slows it down.
Document Inferences:
With neutrality came a sense of isolationism that the American people saw
through to the immigration laws.
Document F
Document Information:
America is preparing for war.
Everyone is needed in this effort.
Document Inferences:
FDR says modern “defense” not modern “warfare”. The enemy is seen as
viciously destroying liberty.
The war could possibly jumpstart the American economy.
Document G
Document Information:
People are still very concerned about the war.
There is a slight possibility America may enter the war.
Document Inferences:
Despite neutrality proclaimed 3 years earlier, war is becoming a possibility.
The war is starting to affect Americans and their sense of isolationism.
People are starting to feel like we need to step in.
Document H
Document Information:
The United States is keeping oil from Japan, providing resources to Europe, and
keeping Japan from attacking China.
Document Inferences:
FDR’s “neutrality policy” has become corrupt, and all but nonexistent.
These are the slow steps leading up to all-out involvement in the war.
Outside Information
Cash and Carry
Lend and Lease
Isolationists, and Isolationism
Protest against the war
Undeclared war
Naval Warfare
U-Boats
Containment of Communism
Holocaust
Nazi Germany
Adolph Hitler
D-Day
Second Front
Operation Torch
Propaganda
War Production Board
Double V
Spread of Communism
Pearl Harbor
Neutrality Act
Atlantic Charter
Open Door Policy
Rationing
Trench Warfare
North Africa
Rommel
El Alamein
Egypt
Pacific fleet
George C. Marshall
Dwight D. Eisenhower
China
Winston Churchill
Douglas MacArthur
Stalingrad
Bibliography
Document A
U.S. Congress. "Neutrality Act, 1937." United States Statutes at Large, 75th Cong., Sess.
I, p. 121-128. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc.
http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE52&iPin=E00930&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010).
Document B
"World War II Recruitment Poster." National Archives and Records Administration.
American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE52&iPin=AHI0660&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010).
Document C
Roosevelt, Franklin D. "Radio Address on the Outbreak of War in Europe." The Public
Papers of the Presidents of the United States. American History Online. Facts On File,
Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE52&iPin=E00220&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010).
Document D
United States. "Declaration of War on Nazi Germany." The Public Papers and Addresses
of Franklin D. Roosevelt. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc.
http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE52&iPin=E02660&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010).
Document E
"Estimated Number of Refugees Admitted to the United States." American History
Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE52&iPin=AMHC0440&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010).
Document F
Roosevelt, Franklin D. "Radio Address on Selective Service Registration Day." The
Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States. American History Online. Facts On
File,
Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE52&iPin=E00210&SingleReco
rd=True (accessed April 29, 2010).
Document G
Roosevelt, Franklin D. "State of the Union Address, 1940." American Presidency Project.
American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE52&iPin=E13871&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010).
Document H
Document H was created by Nikhil Schneider