<Articles>The Ideas of Isolationists and the Actions of the Roosevelt Administration in the Process of the Legislation of the Neutrality Acts

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  • <論説>中立法制定における「孤立主義者」とローズヴェルト政権の対応
  • 中立法制定における「孤立主義者」とローズヴェルト政権の対応
  • チュウ リッポウ セイテイ ニ オケル コリツ シュギシャ ト ローズヴェルト

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The Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936 and 1937 dominated the American foreign policy in the late 1930's. It was in order to avoid a commitment to foreign wars that these acts were legislated, and many Americans in those days supported this aim. But the demands were various, so not only in the Congress, where the influence of isolationists was strong, but also out side of it clarity, controversies remained. In this article, I intend to shed some light on the Neutrality dispute by way of a classfication of the isolationists and having a look at the actions of the FDR Administration towards the Congress. I classify the isolationists into the following. three groups. Group (1), including Senator W. E. Borah and Professor E. Borchard, 'advocated' the traditional neutral rights and freedom of high sea, and opposed the discretion of the President. Group (2), including C. A. Beard and Senator G.P. Nye developed the argument of the new American neutral policy, which advocated to break off both economic and political relations with warring countries. They also opposed the discretion of the President. Group (3), including W. Lippmann, supported the policy of temporary non-involvement in conflicting areas, judged from a realistic point of view. The FDR Administration had the intention to exert influence on international affairs, but because of serious domestic problems and the inability to commit itself to foreign troubles, the Administration was compelled to compromise with the isolationists' strong demands, and in result, "hardly acquired the. discretion." Nevertheless, it managed to maintain its power in foreign affairs as much as possible, making use of the differences amongst the isolationists. And in order not to lose any further power, it took the initiative in legislating and practicing the neutral policy. This attitude of the Administration promoted the isolationism of the U. S. A. in the late 30's.

Journal

  • 史林

    史林 75 (3), 291-321, 1992-05-01

    THE SHIGAKU KENKYUKAI (The Society of Historical Research), Kyoto University

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