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League of Nations ISOLATIONISM
This was a group of nations that got together following WWI to work towards resolving disputes so they didn't end up with war again. The US refused to participate because some members of Congress were afraid it would lead to conflict anyway. -
The Washington Naval Conference INTERNATIONAL
The world's largest naval forces from the US, Great Britain, Japan, France, Italy, Belgium, China, The Netherlands, and Portugal met to discuss naval and the situations and the far east. They wanted to prevent another war like WWI. Specifically, they wanted to discuss disarmament terms and the buildup of the military in Japan. Resulted in three major treaties. -
The Four-Power Treaty INTERNATIONAL
This treaty replaced the Anglo-Japanese treaty of 1902 in which the US, France, Britain, and Japan agreed to meet before entering any conflict in the Far East. None were not obligated to enter a conflict with one another, only discussions. -
The Five-Power Treaty INTERNATIONAL
The US, Great Britain, Japan, and France called for naval disarmament program through a system of warship tonnage allowance. Some ships, like cruiser ships, weren't included in the system. This resulted in these countries trying to build cruiser ships faster than the others. They had to meet again to close these loopholes. -
The Nine-Power Treaty INTERNATIONAL
This was the final multi lateral agreement made at the Washington Naval Conference which created equal opportunities for all nations doing business in China. China promised not to discriminate against any country trying to do business there. In exchange, Japan gave back a province and its railroad and agreed to not move into Chinese territory. Also, Japanese troops were withdrawn from Russian & US. Japan also agreed to equal access to communication facilities on the island of Yap. -
The Dawes Plan INTERNATIONAL
In 1924 Germany's annual repayments for the war would be reduced as the economy increased but the full amount was left undecided. Germany was expected to pay back Allied countries for damage caused by WWII. At one point, the amount discussed was 31.5 billion dollars. The US loaned Germany 200 million to stabilize their economy and more over the years so it could pay back France and the UK. Then, these countries used this money to pay back the US. -
The Geneva Naval Conference INTERNATIONAL (at first, then ISOLATIONIST)
This conference included the US, Great Britain, and Japan to discuss limiting their naval forces based on the ratios and the categories of ships included in the 5 Power Treaty but was a failure. They argued over tonnage vs number of ships and how those calculations should be reached or based on but weren't able to resolve the "cruiser controversy" (heavy vs light, which cruisers were covered, what tonnage they represented). No agreement was reached so the naval arms race continued. -
The Kellogg-Briand Pact INTERNATIONAL
This was an agreement to outlaw war, also called the Pact of Paris where it was signed. Kellogg was the Secretary of State for the US and Briand was the French Minister of Foreign Affairs. They invited all nations to join the pact. 15 nations thought it was a good idea and signed it, followed by 47 more. The US Senate ratified it if the US still had the right to self-defense or require the US to take action against other countries who signed it. -
The Young Plan INTERNATIONAL
This plan was another attempt to settle the debts of Germany to the Allied countries. This involved another loan from the US, oversight of the German repayment would be cancelled, and occupying troops still in Germany would be removed. Because of the Depression, other countries couldn't repay the US either. They wanted the US to forgive the debts they owed like they did with Germany. The BIS was formed and still exists today. Future foreign policy also took into consideration the cost of war. -
Merchant of Death ISOLATIONISM
This was the title of a book that was published by Americans that put forward the thought that war was instigated and engaged in for the profit of American banks, ship building, arms manufacturers for their own profit. Another book came out the next year written by a Marine Corps Generaal called "War is a Racket." It had the same theme that some Americans would profit from war and led the public to move toward isolationism. -
The Neutrality Acts ISOLATIONISM
As Nazi Germany's aggressive moves became bolder, Congress pushed through a series of Neutrality Acts, which served to prevent American ships and citizens from becoming entangled in outside conflicts. Roosevelt wanted a more international approach but he needed Congress' support for New Deal policies and they were strongly isolationist at that time. -
Bombing at Pearl Harbor INTERNATIONAL
Americans stationed at the US Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii were shocked by a Japanese attack that sunk battleships and killed many enlisted personnel and civilians. For most isolationist Americans, they were now ready to engage in war in Europe on the side of the Allied Powers.
