The Neutrality Act was designed to keep America to itself in order to properly recover from the economic turmoil of World War I. By 1939, Roosevelt knew the Neutrality Act needed to be revised in order to keep America as safe as possible. Roosevelt had the Neutrality Act revised in order to aid the British. Roosevelt understood that the threat of War was brimming on the surface of Britain's fate, but he still knew that America's safety needed to come first. Roosevelt knew he couldn't just sit back and let Germany try and spread its reign to the British, but he was still concerned with protecting America. In September 1940, the British were under attack by Germany. The US helped by making a “trade” that heavily favored the British. 50 destroyer ships were dealt from the British to the United States in exchange for the US to build military bases in the Caribbean. This provided the British with American aid and reassurance the United States would be a trustworthy ally. Just like the Good Neighbor Policy, the revision of the Neutrality Act also created more control for America militarily. The more control the United States has internationally, the safer they would be as Roosevelt well knew.
In 1941, Roosevelt introduced his goals, the "Four Freedoms", to congress. Roosevelt told congress the US should be providing more money for the British in exchange for military goods. Roosevelt argued the United States should be aiding the British in this manner because the America should be supporting other countries that have the same freedom values. Roosevelt had found a way to keep America as safe as possible while still becoming involved in the War effort by aiding one of their allies, the British.
In 1941, Roosevelt introduced his goals, the "Four Freedoms", to congress. Roosevelt told congress the US should be providing more money for the British in exchange for military goods. Roosevelt argued the United States should be aiding the British in this manner because the America should be supporting other countries that have the same freedom values. Roosevelt had found a way to keep America as safe as possible while still becoming involved in the War effort by aiding one of their allies, the British.
The video above is of FDR speaking about the Four Freedoms
Citation: Roosevelt, Franklin D.. "The Four Freedoms." Presidential Address . Youtube. Public, Washington D.C.. 27 May 2014. Address.
Citation: Roosevelt, Franklin D.. "The Four Freedoms." Presidential Address . Youtube. Public, Washington D.C.. 27 May 2014. Address.