To War or Not to War: The Assessment

Using the Documents 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941

Should the United States have entered the War Before Pearl Harbor?

Directions: As a class, you will be working to examine ten documents that have to do with America’s neutral position between 1938 and 1941. Once you have finished the questions that accompany the documents, your task will be to create a written composition that states the reasons that the United States should enter the war in September and the reasons the United States should stay out of the war in 1941. (This will be written in the present tense as you will be writing as if it were 1941.)

Your written composition could be any of the following formats:

  1. A letter to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt giving him your advice.
  2. A formal, multi-paragraph opinion essay.
  3. A letter to the editor explaining your position.
  4. A diary entry or series of diary entries that documents your position.

No matter what option you choose, your writing should:

  1. Use the documents to support your argument. (You must use at least half of the documents.)
  2. Use outside information to support your argument. (This outside information may come from the textbook or any other historical reference you have encountered.)
  3. Acknowledge the other side of the argument, to make it clear that you understand both sides of the issue.
  4. Clearly take a stand on the issue.

Document List

# / Documents / Source
0 / Excerpt from Washington’s Farewell Address, September, 1796 /
1 / Video Yearbook: 1938
  • Europe's Leaders Strive to Avert New World War (00:24)
  • London, England (00:14)
  • Berchtesgaden, Germany (00:36)
  • London, England; Chamberlain Visits Nazi Germany (00:27)
  • Prague, Czechoslovakia; American Ligation (00:22)
  • New York, NY; Poland Takes a Stand (00:33)
  • World-Wide News Events; Peace Conference at Munich (01:25)
  • World-Wide News Events; Roosevelt Speaks Out on Democracy (01:22)
/
2 / Churchill’s Broadcast to the United States, “The Lights Are Going Out,” October 16, 1938 /
Complete text:
3 / Video Yearbook: 1939
  • Europe at War! (01:51)
  • England; Chamberlain Declares War Against Germany (00:58)
  • France; France Prepares for War (02:14)
  • America; Americans Question the Future (00:20)
  • President Roosevelt Pledges to Keep U.S. Out of War (01:35)
/
4 / Flyer from the Citizens National Keep America Out of War Committee, September 16, 1939 /
5 / Map of Europe, March 1938 - May 1941 /
6 / Churchill’s Speech to House of Commons, “This Was Their Finest House,” June 18, 1940 /
Complete text:
7 / Video Yearbook: 1941
  • New Congress Hears President War Aid (02:53) (Excerpts from State of Union Address)
/
8 / Charles Lindbergh’s Speech to America First Rally, Madison Square Garden, May 23, 1941 /
9 / Dr. Seuss Cartoons, “Just whose time are we biding?” 1941 /

To War or Not to War: The Evidence

Dealing with Documents 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941

Directions: Answer the questions for each document with clear, specific statements that use information from the documents. Make sure you read the questions beforeyou examine the primary sources.

Read the following selection from George Washington’s Farewell Address.

Document 0:

George Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796

  • What does Washington say to Americans about permanent alliances?
  • How is the farewell address relevant to a study of the years 1938 – 1941?

When you have finished the Farewell Address, go on to the 1938 video yearbook excerpts

Document 1:

Video Yearbook: 1938

  • Why are European leaders worried about the threat of war?
  • Who is Neville Chamberlain and why was he in Germany?
  • What happened at Munich in September of 1938?
  • What does Roosevelt say about American security?

When you have finished the 1938 yearbook, go on to document 2, the Churchill speech at

Document 2:

Churchill’s broadcast to the United States, October 16, 1938.

  • What is Churchill saying that Great Britain must do?
  • What is Churchill’s response to those people that say that Great Britain and the United States should steer clear of a conflict with Nazi Germany?

When you have finished the Churchill excerpt, go on to document 3, the 1939 video yearbook.

Document 3:

Video Yearbook: 1939

  • What has happened to cause war in Europe?
  • What was Russia’s role in this aggression?
  • Which countries have declared war by the end of 1939?
  • How have countries prepared for war in 1939?
  • According to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, what is American’s position in 1939?

When you have finished the 1939 yearbook, use the following “keep American out of war” flyer.

Document 4:

“Keep America Out of War”

  • What is the purpose of the flyer?
  • What groups are represented in the flyer?
  • What is the flyer asking its readers to do (name two specific actions)?

When you have finished reading the flyer, use the following map.

Document 5:

Map of Europe that demonstrate aggression between 1938 and 1941

  • Which countries had Nazi Germany invaded by June 1940?

When you have finished reading the flyer, go on to document 6, the Churchill speech at

Document 6:

Churchill’s Speech to House of Commons, June 18, 1940

  • According to Churchill, what are the consequences of the Battle of Britain?
  • According to Churchill, what will happen to the United States if Britain fails?
  • Based on document 5, why do you think so much depending on the Battle of Britain?

When you have finished the Churchill excerpt, go on to document 7, the 1941 video yearbook.

Document 7:

Video Yearbook: 1941 (Excerpts from Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s State of the Union Address)

  • According to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, what will America do for those fighting for democracy?
  • How will the United States pay for the materiel it needs to become an “arsenal for democracy?”
  • Why doesn’t Franklin Delano Roosevelt believe it’s necessary for immediate payment from those fighting Nazi Germany?

When you have finished the video yearbook, go on to document 8, excerpts from Charles Lindbergh’s speech given at Madison Square Garden.

Document 8:

Charles Lindbergh’s Speech to America First Rally, Madison Square Garden, May 23, 1941

  • According to Lindbergh, what does an independent America mean?
  • According to Lindbergh, why should the United States stay out of the war in Europe?

When you have finished with Lindbergh’s speech, go on to document 9, Dr. Seuss’s 1941 cartoon.

Document 9:

Dr Seuss’s “Ho Hum! No chance of contagion”

  • According to Dr. Seuss, what are all the ills afflicting Europe?
  • Do you think Dr. Seuss believes that Uncle Sam can avoid catching these illnesses?
  • What is the message of the cartoon?

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