FDR was determined to protect the national security of the United States. Before Pearl Harbor, he felt that it was in the best interest of the United States to avoid involvement in the war. However, he knew that the threat to the European balance of power would have forced the US to intervene in the war.

FDR did not want to make the same mistakes that the country did in WWI. Thus, all of the situations that caused the United States to enter WWI were taken into consideration when the Neutrality Acts were passed. The Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, and 1937 stated that when the president declared the existence of a foreign war, certain restrictions would automatically go into effect. No American could sail on a militant ship, or sell or transport munitions to a militant, or make loans to one. They were also specifi

cally made to keep the nation out of a conflict like WWI.

Roosevelt did not live to see the end of WWII. During the war, he had stayed away from the public eye. However, during his campaign for a 4th term in 1944, when he was in the public eye, many said that he looked pale, thin, and old. The election, which resulted in his victory over New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, was a strain on FDR, as was the long trip to Yalta. He died of a major cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945. Harry Truman took the oath of office to become president the same day.

In 1941, a US ship that was trailing a German U-boat was attacked by the underwater craft, without damage to either side. Roosevelt then declared a shoot-on-sight policy. On October 17, the Kearny, while battling with the U-boats, lost 11 men when the ship was damaged greatly, but not sunk. Two weeks later, the Reuben James was torpedoed and sunk off Iceland, with the lost of more than 100 lives. Because of this, Americans didn’t want to stay neutral anymore. In November 1941, Congress voted to pull the Neutrality Acts. Now, merchant ships could be legally armed, and they could enter the combat zones with supplies for Britain.

I don’t feel that FDR purposely led the US into war. After all, he waited until it was absolutely necessary and then entered the war. He tried to re

Some topics in this essay:
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