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Roosevelt, Lindbergh, and America: The Battle Over War, 1939-1941

Nathan Reed

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Published in Those Angry Days: Roosevelt Lindbergh And America S Fight Over World War II 1939 1941

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In the years leading up to World War II, America faced a profound question: should it remain isolated from the growing conflict in Europe, or should it intervene? At the center of this debate were two towering figures: President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and legendary aviator Charles Lindbergh.

Those Angry Days: Roosevelt, Lindbergh, and America's Fight Over World War II, 1939-1941

by Lynne Olson

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Roosevelt, a committed internationalist, believed that America had a moral and strategic obligation to oppose the spread of fascism. Lindbergh, on the other hand, was an outspoken isolationist who vehemently opposed American involvement in the war.

The battle between Roosevelt and Lindbergh became a national referendum on the future of America's foreign policy. It was a clash of ideologies, values, and personal ambition that would ultimately shape the course of American history.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt: An Internationalist's Vision

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a lifelong advocate of international cooperation and collective security. He believed that the United States had a responsibility to use its power and influence to promote peace and stability in the world.

As the situation in Europe deteriorated in the late 1930s, Roosevelt became increasingly convinced that America could not stand idly by while fascism spread across the continent. He believed that inaction would ultimately threaten America's own security.

In his famous "Quarantine Speech" of 1937, Roosevelt called for a global quarantine of aggressor nations. He argued that the United States had a moral obligation to stand up to tyranny and prevent its spread.

Charles Lindbergh: An Isolationist's Dream

Charles Lindbergh was one of the most famous and respected Americans of his time. He was a decorated war hero, a pioneering aviator, and a national icon. Lindbergh's views on foreign policy were deeply rooted in his experiences during World War I.

Lindbergh believed that America's involvement in the war had been a mistake. He argued that the United States had no vital interests at stake in Europe and that staying out of the conflict was the best way to protect American lives and interests.

In the 1930s, Lindbergh became a leading voice of the America First movement. He spoke out against Roosevelt's interventionist policies and called for the United States to remain neutral in the war in Europe.

The Great Debate

The debate between Roosevelt and Lindbergh over America's involvement in World War II was a national referendum on the future of American foreign policy. It was a clash of ideologies, values, and personal ambition that would ultimately shape the course of American history.

Roosevelt argued that America had a moral and strategic obligation to oppose the spread of fascism. Lindbergh, on the other hand, argued that the United States had no vital interests at stake in Europe and that staying out of the conflict was the best way to protect American lives and interests.

The debate was often bitter and personal. Roosevelt accused Lindbergh of being a Nazi sympathizer, while Lindbergh accused Roosevelt of being a warmonger. The debate reached its peak after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, which brought the United States into the war.

The Legacy of Roosevelt and Lindbergh

The debate between Roosevelt and Lindbergh over America's involvement in World War II is still relevant today. The issues of isolationism and interventionism continue to divide Americans, and the lessons of the past can help us understand the present.

Roosevelt's legacy is one of internationalism and global leadership. He believed that the United States had a responsibility to use its power and influence to promote peace and stability in the world. His vision of a world based on collective security and human rights remains an inspiration today.

Lindbergh's legacy is more complex. He was a hero to many Americans, but his isolationist views ultimately led him to side with Nazi Germany during World War II. His story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of isolationism and the importance of standing up to tyranny.

The debate between Roosevelt and Lindbergh is a reminder that the United States has always been a nation divided over its role in the world. The issues of isolationism and interventionism will continue to challenge Americans in the years to come. The legacy of Roosevelt and Lindbergh will help us understand the past and shape the future.

The battle between Roosevelt and Lindbergh was a defining moment in American history. It was a clash of ideologies, values, and personal ambition that would ultimately shape the course of the nation. The debate over America's involvement in World War II is still relevant today, and the lessons of the past can help us understand the present.

Roosevelt's legacy is one of internationalism and global leadership. Lindbergh's legacy is more complex, but he remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of isolationism and the importance of standing up to tyranny.

The debate between Roosevelt and Lindbergh will continue to challenge Americans in the years to come. The issues of isolationism and interventionism will never go away. But the legacy of these two great men will help us understand the past and shape the future.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt And Charles Lindbergh Those Angry Days: Roosevelt Lindbergh And America S Fight Over World War II 1939 1941