APUSH Chapter 35

London Economic Conference

A 1933 international effort to stabilize currencies and combat the Great Depression. FDR’s withdrawal signaled U.S. isolationism, weakening global cooperation and economic recovery.

Good Neighbor Policy

FDR’s shift to diplomacy over military intervention in Latin America, improving relations and reinforcing non-interference as WWII approached.

Reciprocal Trade Agreements

1934 policy allowing the president to reduce tariffs for mutual trade benefits, boosting global trade and diplomatic ties before WWII.

Rome-Berlin Axis

A 1936 alliance between Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy, solidifying fascist power in Europe and paving the way for WWII.

Neutrality Acts (1935, 1936, 1937)

Laws aimed at keeping the U.S. out of foreign wars by banning arms sales and loans to warring nations, reflecting isolationist sentiment.

Quarantine Speech

FDR’s 1937 call to isolate aggressive nations, signaling a shift from neutrality but facing public resistance.

Appeasement

Policy of conceding to Hitler’s demands (e.g., Munich Agreement) to avoid war, which emboldened Nazi aggression and failed to prevent WWII.

Hitler-Stalin Pact

A 1939 non-aggression treaty between Germany and the USSR, allowing Hitler to invade Poland and sparking WWII.

Neutrality Act of 1939

Allowed the U.S. to sell weapons to Allied nations on a "cash-and-carry" basis, marking a step away from strict neutrality.

Kristallnacht

A 1938 Nazi-led attack on Jewish communities, escalating persecution and foreshadowing the Holocaust.

Lend-Lease Act

A 1941 policy allowing the U.S. to supply arms to Allied nations, moving closer to direct involvement in WWII.

Atlantic Charter

A 1941 U.S.-Britain agreement outlining post-war goals, emphasizing democracy, free trade, and self-determination.

Pearl Harbor

Japan’s surprise attack on December 7, 1941, led the U.S. to enter WWII.

Francisco Franco

Spanish fascist leader who, with Axis support, won the Spanish Civil War but stayed neutral in WWII.

Adolf Hitler

Nazi dictator of Germany who led aggressive expansion, genocide, and WWII.

Benito Mussolini

Fascist leader of Italy, allied with Hitler, and expanded militarily before WWII.

Fall of France

Germany’s swift 1940 conquest of France, leaving Britain isolated and escalating U.S. aid to the Allies.