Changes

In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt and Congress supported and passed the Neutrality Act, which forbade the sale of arms to all belligerents when the president says a state of war exists.  The goal of this law was to keep the nation at peace, as the public wanted.

In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt and Congress supported and passed the Neutrality Act, which forbade the sale of arms to all belligerents when the president says a state of war exists.  The goal of this law was to keep the nation at peace, as the public wanted.

But the situation was rapidly changing in Europe in 1940, as World War II broke out there.  President Roosevelt began to prepare a reluctant nation for war.  He signed into law the Selective Training & Service Act, which was the first

But the situation was rapidly deteriorating in Europe in 1940, as World War II broke out there.  President Roosevelt began to prepare a reluctant nation for war.  He signed into law the Selective Training & Service Act, which was the first adoption of peacetime conscription (the "draft").  Previously the only initiations of the draft were during an ongoing American war, as in the Civil War and World War I.

adoption of peacetime conscription (the "draft").  Previously the only initiations of the draft were during an ongoing American war, as in the Civil War and World War I.

FDR had served two full terms by 1940, and every president before him (beginning with George Washington) voluntarily retired.  But FDR refused to step down, and ran again for an unprecedented third term.  With the support of the media, he won again.  Later, in 1944, despite having a terminal illness, FDR ran and won a fourth term and then died shortly after inauguration.

FDR had served two full terms by 1940, and every president before him (beginning with George Washington) voluntarily retired.  But FDR refused to step down, and ran again for an unprecedented third term.  With the support of the media, he won again.  Later, in 1944, despite having a terminal illness, FDR ran and won a fourth term and then died shortly after inauguration.

In 1941, President Roosevelt gave his annual speech to Congress in which he advocated the "Four Freedoms": freedom of speech, worship, from want (e.g., from hunger), and from fear.  But FDR privately wanted the United States to enter into World War II to protect Britain against Germany.  Britain had been badly weakened by decades of socialism, declining values, and rising atheism along with belief in evolution.  Britain was no match for the larger and much stronger Germany, and Britain needed America to save it.  At one point in late 1941 Churchill even stayed for several weeks at the White House while Britain was being bombed by Germany.

In 1941, President Roosevelt gave his annual speech to Congress in which he advocated the "Four Freedoms": freedom of speech, worship, from want (e.g., from hunger), and from fear.  But FDR privately wanted the United States to enter into World War II to protect Britain against Germany.  Britain had been badly weakened by decades of socialism, declining values, and rising atheism along with belief in evolution.  Britain, weakened by decades of economic socialism and declining Christianity, was no match for the larger and much stronger Germany, and Britain needed America to save it.  At one point in late 1941 Churchill even stayed for several weeks at the White House while Britain was being bombed by Germany.

Throughout 1941 FDR maneuvered Congress in an attempt to involve the United States in the war.  Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act, which ended America's neutrality and authorized the lending of materials to Britain and other Allies (France and Russia).  In July 1941, FDR and Churchill agreed to the Atlantic Charter, which declared their joint purpose to World War II.  It was similar to the 14 points announced by President Wilson near the end of World War I, and promised world peace.

Throughout 1941 FDR maneuvered Congress in an attempt to involve the United States in the war.  Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act, which ended America's neutrality and authorized the lending of materials to Britain and other Allies (France and Russia).  In July 1941, FDR and Churchill agreed to the Atlantic Charter, which declared their joint purpose to World War II.  It was similar to the 14 points announced by President Wilson near the end of World War I, and promised world peace.