STEP #5 - The America First Committee
The America First Committee (AFC) was organized in July 1940 to oppose America's potential intervention in World War II. Spokesman Charles A. Lindbergh argued that the only way to save the country was to stay out of a tragic war in Europe and concentrate on defending America's way of life. The AFC strongly opposed President Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as his New Deal. Soon after it was founded, the AFC became the most powerful isolationist group in the U.S.
The AFC had four main principles:
The AFC had four main principles:
- The United States must build an invulnerable national defense.
- No foreign power, nor group of powers, can successfully attack an America that is prepared.
- American democracy can be preserved only by keeping out of the war in Europe.
- "Aid short of war" weakens national defense at home and threatens to involve America in war abroad.
The AFC influenced the public's opinion through various publications and speeches. Membership was strong, particularly in the Midwest. Within a year the organization had more 800,000 members. The AFC strongly opposed the Lend Lease Act, which in their mind compromised America's neutrality. American First Committee
http://www.u-shistory.com/pages/h1643.html
http://www.u-shistory.com/pages/h1643.html
In a speech in Des Moines, Iowa, Charles A. Lindbergh claimed that the "three most important groups who have been pressing this country toward war are the British, the Jewish and the Roosevelt administration". Soon afterwards Senator Gerald Nye argued "that the Jewish people are a large factor in our movement toward war." These speeches resulted in some people claiming that the America First Committee was anti-Semitic.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAfirstC.htm
Some people opposed the AFC and Lindbergh:
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAfirstC.htm
Some people opposed the AFC and Lindbergh: