-
Kellogg-Briand Pact
This was made after World War One to try and prevent the outbreak of another world war. The U.S. wanted to make sure to not get dragged into another war. The purpose was for the signing nations to not use war to settle a conflict. It was first signed by The U.S., France, and Germany. Other nations soon followed, making a total of 60 nations. -
Good Neighbor Policy In Latin America
The main purpose was that of non-intervention and non-interference in Latin America’s domestic affairs. Gave idea that the U.S. would be a “Good Neighbor” and would be involved in a reciprocal exchange with Latin America. It was supposed to make good relations between them but many Latin American countries were not convinced. -
Neutrality Act of 1935
This act imposed a general embargo on trading arms and war materials with all countries at war. It also said that Americans traveling on warring ships do so at their own risk. The act was set to expire after six months. Roosevelt enacted this after Italy invaded Ethiopia in October of the same year. -
Neutrality Act of 1936
This act renewed the neutrality act of 1935 for another 14 months. It also forbade all loans or credits to countries at war. This act did not cover civil wars like Spain (1939-1939) and it also did not cover materials such as trucks and oil. Companies like Standard Oil and Ford exploited this loophole to make money. -
Neutrality Act of 1937
This act, unlike the previous two, had no expiration date and extended to cover civil wars. It also prohibited any U.S. ships from transporting any passengers or supplies to countries at war. Also, U.S. citizens were forbidden from traveling on ships of warring countries. Under this act was the Cash and Carry provision. Not long after Japan invaded China, Roosevelt gave his Quarantine Speech which moved the country away from isolation and towards "quarantining" aggressive countries. -
Cash and Carry Policy
Seeing her allied countries in need of help, The U.S. replaced the Neutrality Acts with this policy. This allowed The U.S. to sell supplies to countries at war as long as they had their own ship to transport the materials and immediately paid in cash. Of course, the sale of war supplies was prohibited and the U.S. would only trade with countries she deemed as "friends". -
Neutrality Act of 1939
This act lifted the arms embargo and put all trade with warring countries under the terms of Cash and Carry. The ban on loans remained in effect and American ships were banned from transporting goods to ports of warring nations. -
Lend Lease Act
With her allies still struggling, The U.S. created this act. This was her principal means of providing military aid to foreign nations during World War Two. It allowed the President to transfer arms or any defense materials to countries that Congress says, "the government of any country whose defense is deemed vital to the defense of The United States". This was the U.S. committing herself to the allies. -
Pearl Harbor
This was a Japanese surprise attack on The U.S. naval base, Pearl Harbor. There were also attacks on U.S. held islands: The Philippines, Guam, and Wake Island. British held islands were also attacked. U.S. retaliated by declaring war on Japan, entering them into World War Two in both theaters (Pacific and European). -
Yalta Conference
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchhill, and Joseph Stalin all met in the Soviet Union. They discussed post-war policies for the occupation of Germany and how to end the war in Japan. Stalin agreed to enter the war against Japan. The conference lasted till February 11, 1945. -
Potsdam Conference
Harry S. Truman, Joseph Stalin, and Clement Attlee met in Potsdam, Germany to discuss more policies. This was the last conference with the "big three". They all declared that an 'unconditional surrender' was needed from Japan and that would be their last warning before the bomb droppings. They also discussed postwar Europe (countries lines and Germany's economy). The conference ended on August 2, 1945. -
Atomic Bomb - Hiroshima
As a way to end the war and prove their strength to the Soviets, The U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. One was on Hiroshima. The city was destroyed and Japan surrendered unconditionally. -
Atomic Bomb - Nagasaki
As a way to end the war and prove their strength to the Soviets, The U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. One was on Nagasaki. The city was destroyed and Japan surrendered conditionally. -
Berlin Blockade
Soviet forces blocked all rail, road, and water access to allied-controlled areas of Berlin. Allied response to this was the Berlin airlift. The blockade ended on May 12, 1949. -
Marshall Plan
After World War Two ended, Secretary of State, George Marshall, introduced this plan. The plan would give economic aid to Western Europe so they could rebuild (economically) after the war. It was thought that this would stop countries turning to communism to fix their problems. -
Berlin Airlift
In response to the Berlin blockade, the U.S. and the UK airlifted food and fuel to Berlin. This ended on May 12, 1949, when Soviet forces lifted the blockade. -
Truman Doctrine
To help resist Soviet pressure and the spread of communism, The U.S. introduced this doctrine on March 12, 1947. This allowed The U.S. to provide economic and military aid to Greece and Turkey. The doctrine was developed on July 12, 1948. -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Their essential purpose is to safeguard the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. Some members include The United States of America, Canada, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Norway, and much more. There were 12 founding members created NATO to protect themselves against the Soviet Union. There are currently 28 members. -
NSC-68
The U.S. State Department Director of Policy Planning, Paul Nitze, issues the NSC-68. It was a 58 page, top-secret policy paper, introduced by Harry S. Truman. It advocated for a large expansion in the military budget, development of the hydrogen bomb, and increased military aid to U.S. allies. It made the containment of global communism a priority.
