Question: What important diplomacy happened before and during the war? (scroll down for answer)       Answer: In between the World Wars: The Washington Naval Conference of 1921 saw the major powers agree to limit naval arms. The Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 renounced war as a form of national policy. Of note just before World War II you should know: The United States and Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) remained neutral before the war. America’s Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1937, and 1939 kept them neutral, mostly in terms of arms shipments to foreign countries. Cash and Carry was a 1939 policy proclaiming that America would aid Great Britain. This was only if the British came to the US on their own boats, paid in cash, and then left with the weapons. Finally, the Destroyers for Bases Deal of 1940, FDR traded older big boats (destroyers) in exchange for British bases in the Caribbean. Of greater importance was the Lend Lease Act of 1941. This act allowed the United States to sell unlimited weapons to the Allies. The buying was done on credit. Over $50 billion in supplies were sent overseas to allies (Britain, Soviet Union, France, and China). Click here for next flash card.      Back to eFlashcard headquarters