The Road To Pearl Harbor, 1919-1941

Versailles: The Lost Peace

President Wilson's hopes for world peace through collective security clash at Versailles with the harsh old-world politics of Europe, which wanted to punish Germany. The resultant treaty, sows the seeds of World War II. Wilson's mysterious behind-the-scenes adviser, Colonel Edward House, compromise Wilson's ideals. Then, influenza struck Wilson down during a critical period of negotiations.

War Comes to Pearl Harbor

After Japan's invasion of the Dutch Indies, Roosevelt cut off the American oil supply and imposed a total embargo. On November 5, 1941, General Tojo sent 2 peace options to the United States with the ultimatum that if neither alternative was accepted Japan would declare war. The United States rejected both proposals. One morning later, on December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

Return to Isolationism

The President and the Senate fight for control of American foreign policy: the Senate wins. Wilson is opposed by a powerful coalition of conservatives like Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. He then embarks on a grueling 8,000 mile train trip to promote the League of Nations and suffers a stroke. Wilson refuses to compromise on the League of Nations and ironically is responsible for its defeat.

The First Salt Talks

In 1921, the world's first major disarmament conference limits the post war arms race, and the most important strategic weapon of the times, the battleship. General Billy Mitchell demonstrates the strength of air power by bombing obsolete battleships in the Chesapeake Bay. While the American military remains unconvinced, the Japanese were impressed as they would later demonstrate at Pearl Harbor.

FDR And Hitler: Their Rise to Power

A contrast in the style of FDR and Hitler shows how technological change and individual charisma can change history. FDR uses the radio to gain political advantage and Hitler utilizes the new sound movies. Hitler, representing a minority party, was appointed Chancellor and rapidly gained power through Nazi propaganda and terrorism. Roosevelt tried new methods of attacking the economic crisis.

The Great Depression And Foreign Affairs

The Depression is a traumatic national experience which shatters U.S. self-confidence and paralyzes foreign policy, thus leading to further isolationism. The world-wide depression gives rise to dictators, but the U.S. is so distracted with domestic problems that it ignores the threat. The London Naval Conference insults Japan and the Japanese invade Manchuria, as a preoccupied U.S. does nothing.

The Italian-Ethiopian War: Africa in World Affairs

The short-lived, but brutal Italian-Ethiopian War leads to an examination of Italian Fascism the character of Mussolini and how he came to power. Mussolini ruled with apparent effectiveness and was hailed by leaders of the anti-Communist world, until his dreams of an empire led him to invade Ethiopia. The incident was one of the chief episodes paving the way for World War II.

FDR and Churchill: The Human Partnership

The close personal friendship between Roosevelt and Churchill had a profound effect on the history of the Western world. Roosevelt posted "lend-lease" as the most practical means of allowing the U.S. to remain neutral while arming Britain and its allies. Due to the political wiles of the two leaders. the bill was passed against bitter opposition and British morale received an enormous lift.

The Recognition of Russia: A Climate of Mutual Distrust

From the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 until the Roosevelt administration officially recognized the U.S.S.R. in the first detente in 1935, American relations with the Soviet Union were mistrustful and hostile. Cold War attitudes can be traced back to this period and the national paranoia over Bolshevism.