d elections, Hitler began his crusade of German expansion and terror. In defiance of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler began building up the German military. Germany, Italy, and Japan signed treaties in 1936-7. In 1938, Germany annexed Austria. Britain and France then pledged to assist Poland in case of a German invasion. On September 1, 1939, German forces invaded Poland. With the help of Soviet forces, Poland was quickly in the hands of Germany. Just after war broke out, President Roosevelt called his cabinet and military advisors together. After careful deliberation, they agreed that it was in Americas best interests to remain neutral during the European conflict. One of the overlying reasons for neutrality was that unless America was directly threatened, there was no reason to become involved. Their reasoning was valid in the light that it was American policy to remain neutral in any non-American affairs that didnt directly threaten American soil. Thus, the senate passed the provisional neutrality act in 1935. Roosevelt signed it into law soon thereafter. In 1936, the law was renewed and in 1937 a comprehensive and permanent neutrality act was passed. These were the principles that most Americans agreed upon. At the time, the American economy was too concerned about domestic political and economic problems to worry about a screaming German who thought he could take over the world. Ever since World War I, the world countries were in and out of depressions. No one wanted to fight another costly war. America was deeply engulfed in its isolationist policies. Even though a second war would create jobs and help the economy back into a desired economic position, the U.S. didnt want another war. Even if the war provided an economic boom, it would have been very costly to maintain war on two oceans and win. The health of the American economy simply could not be jeopardized, regardless of foreign occurrences. Roosevelt be...
