HIST 011 Lecture Notes - Lecture 46: Wendell Willkie, War Production Board, Fireside Chats
Document Summary
100 largest corporations accounted for up to 70% of wartime manufacturing cash and carry . In 1939, roosevelt persuaded congress to adopt less restrictive neutrality act that provided a belligerent could buy us arms if they used own ships and paid cash. This heavily favored britain because they controlled seas but still technically neutral. Provided the registration of all men between 21 and 35 and the training of 1. 2 million troops in 1 year. Isolationists opposed peacetime draft but outnumbered public opinion shifted away from strict neutrality. Germans bombing britain and submarine attacks threatening control of sea. Roosevelt knew selling destroyers to britain would outrage isolationists therefore made a trade. Gave 50 older but still serviceable destroyers to britain in exchange for right to build military bases in. Roosevelt announced would not turn down democratic nomination if it were offered in those critical times. Most dems happy roosevelt campaigned saying your boys won"t be sent into any foreign wars.
