Hour of Decision: FDR Pivots to War

First, Lew discusses the convengence of elements that brought a strong Communist Party influence to America in the 1930s:
1) Socialist ferment on college campuses
2) FDR’s decision to give diplomatic recognition to the USSR
3) Large number of government job openings created by the New Deal
4) Blasé if not totally supportive attitude toward communists by the New Dealers
5) The new Communist popular front strategy that brought thousands of non-communists into activities directed by communists.
Second, Lew describes FDR’s careful pivot away from the ineffective New Deal efforts to end the Great Depression and toward a military build-up and eventual intervention into WWII. But the idea of intervention overseas was very unpopular and there was a large grassroots effort to keep us out of the wars in Europe and Asia called the America First Committee. But a little-known Republican presidential candidate with funding from the Morgan financial interests prevented an America First candidate from emerging to challenge Roosevelt as FDR sought an unprecedented 3rd term in 1940.

With your Host: Lew Moore