The Great Depression, Isolationism, and the Road to War

In this episode of Mr. Hutchings History, we explore the complex interplay between the Great Depression, isolationism, and America’s eventual path to World War II. The 1930s saw the United States grappling with domestic recovery through Roosevelt’s New Deal while resisting foreign entanglements amidst growing global tensions. From the impact of World War I and the disillusionment that followed, to the Neutrality Acts that codified isolationism, we trace how economic hardship and public opinion shaped U.S. foreign policy. Learn how Roosevelt navigated the challenges of supporting Allies without direct involvement, using measures like “cash-and-carry” and Lend-Lease to shift the U.S. toward engagement. Perfect for IB DP History students, this discussion includes key moments such as the Nye Committee findings, the Panay Incident, and the eventual pivot to global leadership after Pearl Harbor. Historiographical insights from Orthodox, Revisionist, and Post-Revisionist schools offer a nuanced view of Roosevelt’s balancing act. #GreatDepression #USIsolationism #RooseveltNewDeal #NeutralityActs #LendLeaseAct #WWIIHistory #IBHistory #USForeignPolicy #RoadToWar Works Cited Beard, Charles A. The Devil Theory of War. Viking, 1936. Dallek, Robert. Franklin D. Roosevelt and American Foreign Policy, 1932–1945. Oxford UP, 1995. Leuchtenburg, William E. The FDR Years: On Roosevelt and His Legacy. Columbia UP, 1995. Schlesinger, Arthur M. The Coming of the New Deal. Houghton Mifflin, 1958.