American Foreign Policy Between the Wars

A collection of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to American foreign policy between the World Wars.

Washington Naval Conference

A conference aimed at limiting Japanese naval power in the Pacific through disarmament treaties.

Five Power Treaty

A treaty that established a ratio of capital ship tonnage among the U.S., Great Britain, Japan, France, and Italy.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

An international agreement that pledged signatories to peacefully resolve disputes, but was largely symbolic.

Dawes Plan

A plan that provided financial assistance to Germany, reducing reparations and involving American banks to stabilize the economy.

Isolationism

A foreign policy stance where a country avoids involvement in international alliances and conflicts.

Neutrality Acts

Laws passed in the 1930s to prohibit arms shipments to belligerents and maintain American neutrality.

Panay Incident

An event in December 1937 where Japan attacked an American gunboat, prompting Roosevelt to request increased military appropriations.

Lend-Lease Act

A program initiated in March 1941 allowing the U.S. to supply Allied nations with military and other goods.

Selective Service Act

A law enacted in 1940 to establish peacetime conscription in the U.S.

Pearl Harbor

The site of a surprise attack by Japan on December 7, 1941, which led the U.S. to officially enter World War II.