Question

2. Between the start of World War II in September 1939 and the entry of the United States into the war in December 1941, the United States operated under an official policy of neutrality. Nevertheless, President Franklin Roosevelt pursued a policy of gradual engagement with the Allied nations of Europe. In an essay, explain the ways in which the United States pursued gradual engagement, and give at least two examples of the isolationist response to that engagement.

Answer 1

The US pursued gradual engagement into the war in multiple ways. One of the most famous was the development of the Lend-Lease Act. This law created by the US government, allowed us to aid countries involved in World War II. The aid we gave to countries included financial assistance, military equipment (like tanks), airplanes and food. This assistance was given to countries like Great Britain, who was in the midst of trying to stop Hitler's reign in Europe.

Another example of gradual engagement included the Atlantic Charter. This document, signed in August of 1941 essentially laid out a plan for what would happen after Hitler is defeated. The US President (Franklin D. Roosevelt) worked with Great Britain's Prime Minister (Winston Churchill) to develop this plan. This was agreed upon, even though the US was not technically at war yet. The US would not enter World War II until December of 1941, right after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor.