Between the Wars: Roosevelt Focuses on Economic Crisis
Roosevelt says little about foreign affairs in the 1932 presidential campaign. Six weeks after Roosevelt's inauguration Adolph Hitler becomes Germany's Chancellor. Roosevelt continues a nationalist policy from 1933 to 1935, showing little interest i...
Between the Wars: Pearl Harbor Attack Brings U. S. into the World Conflict
At 7:55 a.m. on Sunday December 7, 1941, a wave of Japanese bombers taking off from aircraft carriers hundreds of miles away, attacks the U. S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. Survivors of the attack recount their remembrance of the surprise attack. The...
Between the Wars: Impact of the Depression on International Relations
European nations are suffering from devastation and debt after World War I. Countries maintain their debts payments to the United States as long as Germany pays reparations. The stock market crash in U. S. triggers crises in other countries. The ina...
Between the Wars: Third-Term Election Signals Subtle Changes
For many months, the political talk of the country revolves around the question of Franklin Roosevelt's intentions. Will he break with tradition and run for an unprecedented third term? The Republicans select Wendell Wilkie, the head of the country'...
Between the Wars: Hoover and the World Crisis
The Depression topples a number of existing governments and replaces them with powerful, belligerent leaders who see expansion as a solution to their country's economic problems. Japan attacks and conquers the Manchurian area of China and sets up th...
Between the Wars: Tripartite Pact, The
Japan takes advantage of the European crisis to extend its power in the Pacific. In September of 1940, Japan signs the Tripartite Pact, a loose defense alliance among Japan, Germany, and Italy, becoming what some call the Axis of Evil. Japan wants t...
Between the Wars: U. S. Foreign Policy in the 1920s
After World War I, the United State's foreign policy is focused on maintaining the country's position as a world power, acting forcefully but alone. The United States becomes more insular in 1920s, adopting the Republican idea of "conservative inter...
Between the Wars: World War II Begins
British and French leaders meet with Hitler in Munich in September of 1938. The Munich Accords that are developed stipulate that Hitler will retain portions of Czechoslovakia he already occupies but will go no further. By spring of 1939 Hitler overr...
Between the Wars: U. S. Takes Steps to Suppress Japanese Aggression
Japan's aggressiveness against China continues despite United States warnings. Finally President Roosevelt freezes Japanese assets in U.S. and establishes a complete trade embargo cutting Japan off from essential supplies. Japan plans to invade Dutc...
Between the Wars: Germany and Japan Invade Neighboring Countries
As the nations of the world are distracted by their own economic problems, two major powers in Europe and Asia, Germany and Japan, are making aggressive incursions into neighboring countries. The Germans feel that the peace treaties after World War ...