U.S.+History+-+Lend+Lease+Debate

Print Resources

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Web Resources


 * Spartacus network
 *  brief overview of Lend-Lease in the context of Franklin D. Roosevelt's relationship with Winston Churchill is available at the EDSITEment-reviewed National Archives site.
 * A one-page discussion of FDR's foreign policy prior to World War II puts Lend-Lease into context. linked from EDSITEment's Learner.Org.
 * A quick overview of the Lend-Lease aid to the USSR
 * Historian Robert Dallek discussed the Lend-Lease program and the "garden hose" analogy that plays a significant role in Learner.Org.
 * Historian.org

Assignment

The AGE OF ISOLATIONISM: The Lend-Lease Bill DO NOT USE INFORMATION AFTER MARCH 1941

OPTIONS IN BRIEF


 * Option 1: Support Lend-Lease and Follow Through**

“We must support the Allies however possible, and the Lend-Lease Bill is an excellent start. We cannot stand idly by the Axis powers quickly take control of the continent of Europe. Their armies will soon be close to the Atlantic coast of Europe, thus increasing the threat to our shores. Since the fall of France last year, Britain has been fighting a war entirely on its own, and will is running very low on supplies and weapons. It is our duty, as a fellow democratic nation, to help Britain combat Hitler’s tyranny, even if it means that we as a nation might go to war to defend our democracy and freedom, as well as the democracy and freedom of those worldwide.”


 * Option 2: Accept Lend-Lease Without Convoys**

“We should support the Lend-Lease Bill, but with strict stipulations. For example, we can lend and lease Britain military supplies, but we must not allow American convoys, which would compromise the safety of our ships and our men. This bill cannot purport to be neutral, but it is the next best thing to keep us out of war. We will aid Britain and give them military supplies, but if we use our own ships and men to help transport these materials we will be subject to attack by German U-boats. Aiding England is not worth American lives; the bill should only be passed if U.S. convoying of lend-lease supplies is not allowed.”


 * Option 3: Reject Lend-Lease and Stay Out of War**

“World War I and the Great Depression taught us how damaging international entanglements can be. Involving ourselves in another war to protect “democracy” is a fool’s errand. President Roosevelt’s Lend-Lease Bill is a blatant violation of neutrality, and will only bring us closer to a conflict that is not our concern. We should avoid any foreign entanglements or alliances and focus on our own problems. Greedy bankers and munitions-makers tricked us into joining World War I, and World War I was suppose to be the “war to end all wars.” Clearly that was not the case. Democracy is best defended by ensuring that it is well practiced within one’s own borders. We must not let President Roosevelt lead us down the path to war with this bill. Only Congress has the right to declare war. We must defeat this bill and stay out of war.”


 * Senators: Vote on one of the three options**

“It is January 1941, and as a member of the U.S. Senate you will vote on the Lend-Lease Bill. At the heart of the debate is the question whether to end the U.S. policy of neutrality and provide military aid to Britain. The American public has expressed strong emotions over this debate. Prepare cross-examination questions for each of the three options which will be submitted at the end of the class. The questions should reflect the values, concerns, and interests of the citizens of the United States. Some questions Senators should ask themselves are: What should the USA do? What should be the role of the USA in world affairs? What effect would approval of Lend-Lease have on U.S. citizens?”


 * Option Group Members**: Each group needs a domestic political expert, an international political expert and a military expert.

• **Domestic political expert** – “is responsible for explaining why your option is most appropriate in light of the current domestic climate.”

• **International political expe**rt – “is responsible for explaining why your option takes the United States in the most appropriate foreign policy direction.”


 * • Military expert** – “is responsible for explaining why your option offers the best route in terms of security and military preparedness.”

Citations

Sample Annotated Citation This database newspaper article helps to answer the essential question; What is the role of nonfiction texts in understanding social crises such as genocide. The New York Times, a daily newspaper, provided coverage of the Hutu v Tutsi conflict at the ten year anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda. Lacey, a NY TImes foreign editor, describes the human remains left for ten years that serve as a reminder of the mass killings. Information is also provided about some of the survivors.

The New York Times is a reputable newspaper. Information in the article was also found in other sources, at both the UN.org site and a human rights site, which proved its reliability and accuracy.