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League of Nations
An international group for many countries to come up with solutions to global issues or disagreements, and maintain global peace after the events of WWI (U.S. is not wanting to be isolated when dealing with this group) -
Five-Power Power Treaty
This was also called the Washington Naval Treaty, and was a strict agreement between the allied countries during WWI that prevented them from building up their navy and military powers. This was supposed to keep these countries from ever fighting each other after such a horrible experience with WWI as a whole. (U.S. is contributing and not being isolated with this treaty) -
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Invasion of Manchuria
The Japanese Army marched into a territory in China called Manchuria, after they had become the highest risk to breaking peace around the world. Japan was going against the League of Nations and global peace policies, and after the League did not do much to punish Japan, the country left this group, and this pushed Japan far away from being allies with the U.S. for a long time (America is now basically forced to isolate itself from Japan) -
Nye Commission/Committee
This committee was looking at all of the actions Americans took to supply and create weapons and war supplies during WWI, and the profits Americans got from promoting and supporting WWI.
This committee figured out that America had probably joined WWI to make lots of Americans wealthy by creating so many war supplies. (this pushed U.S. closer to complete isolation because they had dealt with other foreign countries in the wrong way). -
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Neutrality Acts
These were a series of 3 acts that were supposed to make sure that the U.S. stayed neutral and out of war if there was ever another one like WWI. FDR did not really like these, but Congress wanted to secure America as an isolated and neutral country. These acts stopped the U.S. from sending weapons or money to other nations. (U.S. Congress was putting America in a very isolated place with these acts) -
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Appeasement
A policy or agreement that France and Britain had to make with Hitler's Germany, which was supposed to stop a war from happening again. To do this, these countries had to allow Hitler to make smaller actions of violence and expansion of lands in order to keep from having bigger violent wars or actions happen. (the U.S. was still trying to stay isolated, and did not really interfere with being a part of this policy) -
Quarantine Speech
A speech FDR gave in Chicago to talk about how he felt America should "quarantine" or stop the violent foreign countries from doing any more evil actions (like Japan or Germany). FDR believed this, since he was not a fan of isolation. But most citizens did not like this idea and wanted to stay isolated, so this idea never truly happened
(this speech really made citizens that supported U.S. isolation angrier, and many of these people protested for even more isolation regulations) -
Invasion of Poland
Led by Hitler, many German planes and tanks in order to get back some land they lost. Directly after this, Britain and France decided to both declare war on Germany, starting WWII, after Hitler had broken their agreement of appeasement, and committed a huge violent act on Poland. (the U.S. decides to stay isolated, and not join in war with France and Britain at this time) -
“Cash and Carry” Policy
This is was an idea brought up by FDR just after WWI had started, which was to lift the Neutrality Act restriction on giving war supplies and weapons to foreign countries. FDR came up with this after they figured out that the British still controlled the seas, and could trade weapons to only Britain, rather than also have to do it with evil Germany. (the U.S. was still staying neutral, but seemed to favor Britain's side because of not trading with Germany) -
Ban on Steel and Scrap Exports
After Japan had become an Axis Power in 1940 with Germany and Italy, FDR wanted to almost protest this by banning any steel or scraps from going from America into any country but Britain or France (Allied Powers). This was protesting the Axis Powers, and the U.S. was starting to lean heavily on being a supporter of the Allied Powers, and a growing enemy of countries like Japan or Germany. (U.S. not as neutral anymore, but still trying to stay isolated because f limiting who they deal with) -
Destroyers for Bases Deal
This deal was an agreement between Great Britain and the U.S. where the American Navy sent around destroyer ships to the British Navy forces to help them fight the Axis Powers. In return for this, America would get some land to build necessary military bases for U.S. protection. (the U.S. government is starting to make lots of deals and be almost allied with Britain at this point, coming out of their isolation period into a more involved time before Pearl Harbor) -
Formation of American First Committee/Party
This was a very influential political group in the United States that was putting pressure on parts of the government to stay out of WWII, and stay very isolated. This group's 800,000 members were extremely against FDR helping the Allied Powers because they were scared any involvement in support would drag the U.S. into WWII, and out of isolation. (this group did have leaders like Charles Lindbergh that were helping keep aspects of U.S. government isolated during this time) -
Lend-Lease Act
This was an act proposed by FDR that said America should end their limit of sending Britain war supplies ("cash and carry"), ending part of the Neutrality Acts. FDR did this to help the Allied Powers, mainly Britain, fight against the evil Axis Powers, and all the violence they were causing. The America First Committee protested this, but most of the government had shifted to supporting Britain. (FDR pushed America to become more involved with Britain on a big level, not truly isolated anymore) -
Atlantic Charter
As the U.S continued to support Britain, FDR realized the U.S might soon enter WWII. So, he planned a secret meeting with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. This meeting was to create the Atlantic Charter, which explained their goals for peace after WWII, which would eventually end. These goals were self-determination for all, no territorial expansion, and free trade. (all these ideas brought up at this meeting were showing how much FDR was preparing for war, not furthering isolation) -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
While the U.S fleet was settled at Pearl Harbor, Japanese aircrafts bombed the ships. Many people were killed or injured, along with 20 warships sunk. In shock of what happened, people were confused and worried, while the news was constantly discussing it. FDR felt that at this point, the U.S. needed to join WWII against Japan and the Axis Powers, after what was such a devastating event. (so after this event, the U.S. joins WWII, and is fully involved with the Allies and not isolated any longer)