At first glance, the United States is relatively easy to defend from any bad guys coming from Europe or Asia. We're surrounded by big honkin' oceans.
But after World War I, we suddenly didn't seem so safe anymore. It was actually pretty easy to get back and forth between the continents, and it would only get easier as technology advanced.
That's largely why FDR speaks so passionately in "The Arsenal of Democracy" about getting the American people involved in World War II, even if it was only in the production of weapons and other supplies. The United States needed to prove its willingness to do whatever it took to defend against attacks from greedy totalitarians, and that could only be accomplished by taking some sort of action. In this case, producing the munitions to not only help the Allies, but also stock up and rearm on the Homefront.
Questions About American Defense
- How did American defense change from the 19th century to the 20th century? How has it changed since World War II?
- What does it mean to "defend" America? Can a country be defended only with weapons?
- Do you think FDR intended for his "great arsenal of democracy" initiative to translate into American troops overseas? Why or why not?
- In sentence 137, FDR said, "These military and naval experts and the members of the Congress and the Administration have a single-minded purpose: the defense of the United States." Did FDR's plan for "the great arsenal of democracy" prove he was focused on U.S. defense first and foremost? Why or why not?
Chew on This
The United States could not have adequately defended itself during World War II without becoming directly involved in the fighting.
The U.S. couldn't defend itself if the nation didn't plan to help Great Britain and the Allies.