President Roosevelt proclaims neutrality

President Roosevelt maintained US neutrality until 1941

Wary of entering what it saw as a European conflict, the US was keen to maintain its neutrality when Britain and France declared war on Germany.

The US did not enter World War II for another two years, after its naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was the victim of a surprise attack by Japanese forces in December 1941.

At the outbreak of the war in Europe President Roosevelt urged the American public to be neutral, but he also said: "I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well."

Here is an extract from his speech which was broadcast to the American people on 3 September, 1939.

My countrymen and my friends, tonight my single duty is to speak to the whole of America. Until 4.30 o'clock this morning I had hoped against hope that some miracle would prevent a devastating war in Europe and bring to an end the invasion of Poland by Germany.

For four long years a succession of actual war and constant crises have shaken the entire world and threatened in each case to bring on the gigantic conflict which is today unhappily a fact.

It is right that I should recall to your minds the consistent and at times successful efforts of your government in these crises to the throw the full weight of the United States Government into the cause of peace...

It is right to point out that the unfortunate events of recent years have, without question, been based on the use of force or the threat of force.

And it seems to me clear, even at the outbreak of this great war, that the influence of America should be consistent in seeking for humanity a final peace that will eliminate as far as it is possible to do so the continued use of force between nations...

You the people of this country are receiving news through your radios and your newspapers at every hour of the day. You are I believe the most enlightened and the best informed people in all the world at this moment. You are subjected to no censorship of news and I want to add that your government has no information which it withholds or which it has any thought of withholding from you.

You must master at the outset a simple but unalterable fact... When peace has been broken anywhere the peace of all countries everywhere is in danger. It is easy for you and for me to shrug our shoulders and say that conflicts taking place thousands of miles from the continent of the US and indeed thousands of miles from the whole American hemisphere do not seriously affect the Americas and that all the United States had to do is ignore them and go about its own business.

Passionately though we may desire detachment we are forced to realise that every word that come through the air, every ship that sails the sea, every battle that is fought, does affect the American future.

Let no man or woman thoughtlessly or falsely talk of America sending its armies to European fields. At this moment there is being prepared a proclamation of American neutrality...

This nation will remain a neutral nation. But I cannot ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well.

Even a neutral has a right to take account of facts. Even a neutral cannot be asked to close his mind or close his conscience. I have said not once, but many times that I have seen war and that I hate war.

I say that again and again. I hope the US will keep out of this war. I believe that it will and I give you assurance and reassurance that every effort of your government will be directed toward that end.

As long as it remains within my power to prevent there will be no blackout of peace in the United States.