H.W. Brands explains how, following the massacre in Poland, Roosevelt sought to modify the Neutrality Acts—laws passed in the mid-1930s specifically to prevent the types of economic and travel entanglements that had drawn the U.S. into World War I. Roosev

H.W. Brands explains how, following the massacre in Poland, Roosevelt sought to modify the Neutrality Acts—laws passed in the mid-1930s specifically to prevent the types of economic and travel entanglements that had drawn the U.S.into World War I. Roosevelt argued that providing weapons to Britain and France would allow them to defend themselves, thereby keeping American troops out of the conflict. Lindbergh and anti-interventionist Senators like Burton Wheeler and Robert Borah remained deeply skeptical, believing Roosevelt was being "transactional" and dishonest about his true intent to lead the U.S. into a new European order. Roosevelt countered by attacking his critics early, using the word "isolation" like a "plague" and characterizing their views as well-meaning but ignorant. While some suggested Lindbergh as a potential 1940 Republican presidential candidate, he refused to enter politics, preferring to challenge the president through the airwaves. Roosevelt carefully shaped public opinion, fearing the type of backlash Woodrow Wilson faced for getting too far ahead of the populace. When France fell in just six weeks to the German Blitzkrieg in 1940, Lindbergh felt vindicated, arguing that American troops would have merely been trapped on the beaches. Meanwhile, Winston Churchill manipulated Roosevelt with warnings that a falling British government might surrender its fleet to Germany, successfully pressuring the president to send American destroyers to Britain. (3)
1927