Britain and the U.S. Before World War II: Their Relationship with Germany and Support for the Allies
The international relations leading up to World War II were complex and multifaceted. Both the British and U.S. played significant roles in the early stages, but their approaches and level of support for Germany and the eventual Allies differed significantly.
Britain's Initial Stance and Actions
Before the outbreak of World War II, Britain and Germany had a complex relationship. Despite early tensions following the rise of the Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler, Britain did not immediately oppose the expansionist policies of Germany. This was influenced by historical ties and the agreement between Britain and France, known as the Mercantile Agreement, signed in 1904. However, political and economic challenges in France, such as repeated changes in government and economic downturns, led to a weaker stance against German aggression.
The British government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, initially adopted a policy of appeasement, hoping to avoid a war by giving in to Hitler's demands. This policy is famously remembered through the Munich Agreement of 1938, which allowed Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia. The British government's rearmament efforts began more gradually, focusing mainly on naval expansion, until 1936, when significant military measures were initiated.
The U.S. and Its Non-Interventionist Stance
Before the outbreak of World War II, the United States adopted a policy of non-intervention and isolationism. Its engagement in European affairs was minimal, largely due to its own economic and social concerns, as well as the ongoing effects of the Great Depression. In 1935, the Neutrality Acts were passed, which restricted the export of arms and the lending of credit to belligerent nations, effectively isolating the U.S. from potential conflicts.
Notable exceptions include the U.S. purchasing planes and arms from Britain and France to aid them during the Spanish Civil War, and its provision of the Junkers Directive to Germany, providing a temporary exemption for American goods to freely enter and exit Germany. However, the U.S. did not engage heavily until the direct involvement of American troops in 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Impact of Germany's Expansion
Germany's aggressive expansion throughout Europe deeply concerned the Allies, notably France and Britain, but their responses were delayed and often undermined by internal political and economic issues. During critical moments such as the occupation of the Rhineland (1936), the annexation of Austria (1938), and the Munich Agreement (1938), the Allies failed to impose a strong response.
It was only when Germany fully occupied Czechoslovakia in 1939 that the Allies decided to take a stand and issued the guarantee of Poland. However, this was too late to prevent the onset of World War II. In fact, President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the U.S. did implement several measures to assist the Allies by 1939, including the Lend-Lease Act, which allowed the U.S. to supply weapons and other resources to Britain and other Allied forces.
The U.S. and Germany's Economic and Industrial Connections
Notably, major American companies had close economic ties with Nazi Germany prior to U.S. entry into the war. Several major corporations, including Ford Motor Company, Coca-Cola, and IBM, maintained significant operations in Germany and contributed to its war effort. These companies often engaged in controversial and unethical practices, such as using forced labor in their factories. Even during the war, companies like Kodak and Chase-Mahattan Bank continued to operate in Germany, often utilizing slave labor and providing materials that aided the Nazi regime.
These economic connections raised significant ethical questions and led to investigations and scrutiny from the U.S. government and public. The documentation of these companies' collaborations with the Nazi regime revealed a layer of complexity in the pre-war era that is often overlooked in historical narratives. It's crucial to understand that businesses were not only economic partners but sometimes complicit in the perpetuation of the Nazi regime's brutal policies.
Conclusion
The British and U.S. stances towards Germany before World War II were greatly influenced by internal factors such as politics, economics, and public opinion. While it is true that the U.S. did not initially oppose Germany, it is essential to recognize the significant actions and commitments that both nations made to support the Allies once the war began. The delayed response of the Allies and the controversial economic connections between American companies and Nazi Germany highlight the complexities of international politics and the ethical dimensions of business during tumultuous times.