From American Minute with Bill Federer about “a date which will live in infamy”:
“I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again and again: Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars,”
-promised Franklin D. Roosevelt as he campaigned for a third term, October 30, 1940.
FDR addressed Congress on Appropriations for National Defense, July 10, 1940:
“I said … keep this nation from being drawn into the war … We will not send our men to take part in European wars.”
FDR told the Young Democratic Clubs of America, April 20, 1940:
“We are keeping out of the wars that are going on in Europe and in Asia …
Our opponents are seeking to frighten the country by telling people that the present Administration is deliberately … drifting into war. You know better than that.”
FDR told the New York Herald Tribune Forum, October 26, 1939:
“The United States of America, as I have said before, is neutral and does not intend to get involved in war.”
FDR stated in a Fireside Chat, September 3, 1939:
“We seek to keep war from our own firesides by keeping war from coming to the Americas …
This nation will remain a neutral nation … I have said … many times … that I hate war …
I hope the United States will keep out of this war … I give you … reassurance that every effort of your Government will be directed toward that end.”
FDR addressed a Press Conference in Hyde Park, New York, July 22, 1939:
“On the neutrality thing, I have here forty-five newspaper editorials … showing how widespread is the general approval … to make the United States neutral and to help to avert war.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt stated in a radio address to the Third Annual Women’s Conference, October 13, 1933:
“It is the policy of this Government to avoid being drawn into wars between other Nations.”
On August 31, 1935, FDR gave a statement on Neutrality Legislation:
“As a Nation, we are overwhelmingly against engaging in war … The policy of the Government is … avoidance of any entanglements which would lead us into conflict.”
Read more: American Minute
Image credit: Naval Historical Foundation.