The Great Arsenal of Democracy: Main Idea
The Great Arsenal of Democracy: Main Idea
When FDR gave "Great Arsenal of Democracy" speech, he'd just been reelected by a lot of people, so he knew U.S. citizens wanted him to stick around.
And ol' Franky D. decided to use that to his advantage.
He was very aware of the fighting over in Europe (you know, that whole World War II thing), and he understood the importance of getting the American people involved in the fighting in some way. Physically sending troops overseas wasn't the best option—especially considering he'd won the election by promising to keep Americans out of foreign wars.
Instead, FDR focused his policy on mobilizing U.S. industry to produce the weapons and supplies the Allies needed to defeat the Nazis in Europe.
Questions
- What was the status of American isolationist policy at this point in history? How had it evolved from the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 to what FDR was proposing in 1940?
- We know the U.S. eventually did deploy American military overseas in December 1941. Do you think the U.S. would've eventually entered the war if Pearl Harbor hadn't been attacked? Why or why not?
- What were the major ideological differences between America and the other Allies?
- According to FDR, what was "the great arsenal of democracy?"
Chew On This
Despite his assurances that the U.S. government had no intention of sending American troops overseas, FDR had likely always intended for the military to play an important role in winning World War II.
FDR would often speak to the American people over the radio. The intimacy of these Fireside Chats enabled him to get support for a number of wartime initiatives, including the plans he outlined in this speech.
Quotes
Quote #1
Never before since Jamestown and Plymouth Rock has our American civilization been in such danger as now. (11)
You Shmoopers know your history, so you probably already know that Jamestown was the first permanent settlement in the New World, and Plymouth Rock marks the place where the Pilgrims stepped ashore in 1620. They're symbols of freedom and democracy, because they were settled by people trying to escape religious discrimination.
In referencing them at the beginning of his speech, FDR is trying to remind the American people of their roots so they'll be willing to do what it takes to save other people suffering discrimination under the Axis powers.
Quote #2
The plain facts are that the Nazis have proclaimed, time and again, that all other races are their inferiors and therefore subject to their orders. And most important, the vast resources and wealth of this American hemisphere constitute the most tempting loot in all of the round world. (70-71)
At this point in his speech, FDR was speaking to all those folks who insisted the Axis wouldn't touch the western hemisphere if the U.S. just minded its own business. That just wasn't the case, if only because they'd already proven no other type of government was acceptable besides their own. Germany overthrew the government of every country it invaded in efforts to extend control throughout all of Europe. Add in all the natural resources available in the United States, the minerals and the forests and enough pizza to cover 100 acres, the western hemisphere is a gold mine—literally and figuratively.
Quote #3
The British people and their allies today are conducting an active war against this unholy alliance. Our own future security is greatly dependent on the outcome of that fight. Our ability to "keep out of war" is going to be affected by that outcome. (112-114)
Okay, people—FDR heard y'all when you said fighting was bad. But he needs you to hear him when he says that the only reason the U.S. is able to avoid the fight is because of Great Britain and the other allies fighting against the Germans. If they fail, the U.S. will have no choice but to declare war. So, therefore, doing whatever's necessary to help Great Britain is pretty much a no-brainer. If producing weapons instead of watches will save American lives and put an end to the fighting, it's the very least the U.S. can do.
Quote #4
We need to be the great arsenal of democracy. (173)
At the start of World War II, many Americans were less than eager to jump headfirst into another bloody battle, but the war was a serious threat to the United States, even with big oceans on both sides. FDR wanted the government and American industry to band together to assist the war effort without sending troops overseas, and they needed to do it quickly.
Because of its manufacturing capabilities, the U.S. was capable of producing all sorts of weapons and munitions that would be incredibly valuable to Great Britain, Greece, and other countries fighting the Axis—U.S. industry would supply the tools to preserve and protect democracy around the world.
Quote #5
For us this is an emergency as serious as war itself. We must apply ourselves to our task with the same resolution, the same sense of urgency, the same spirit of patriotism and sacrifice as we would show were we at war. (174-175)
Throughout his speech, FDR returns again and again to the idea of American patriotism, not just because he's interested in everyone chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!" until they lose their voices, but because it's a large part of being an American. FDR needed to inspire that feeling in U.S. citizens so they'd support his plan to make America "the great arsenal of democracy." The country may not have been actually fighting over in Europe, but they needed to show that same dedication to helping the war effort from the Homefront.