<P> On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland; Britain and France subsequently declared war on Germany, marking the start of World War II . In an address to the American People two days later, President Roosevelt assured the nation that he would do all he could to keep them out of war . However, his words showed his true goals . "When peace has been broken anywhere, the peace of all countries everywhere is in danger," Roosevelt said . Even though he was intent on neutrality as the official policy of the United States, he still echoed the dangers of staying out of this war . He also cautioned the American people to not let their wish to avoid war at all costs supersede the security of the nation . </P> <P> The war in Europe split the American people into two camps: non-interventionists and interventionists . The two sides argued over America's involvement in this World War II . The basic principle of the interventionist argument was fear of German invasion . By the summer of 1940, France suffered a stunning defeat by Germans, and Britain was the only democratic enemy of Germany . In a 1940 speech, Roosevelt argued, "Some, indeed, still hold to the now somewhat obvious delusion that we...can safely permit the United States to become a lone island...in a world dominated by the philosophy of force ." A national survey found that in the summer of 1940, 67% of Americans believed that a German - Italian victory would endanger the United States, that if such an event occurred 88% supported "arm (ing) to the teeth at any expense to be prepared for any trouble", and that 71% favored "the immediate adoption of compulsory military training for all young men". </P> <P> Ultimately, the ideological rift between the ideals of the United States and the goals of the fascist powers empowered the interventionist argument . Writer Archibald MacLeish asked, "How could we sit back as spectators of a war against ourselves?" In an address to the American people on December 29, 1940, President Roosevelt said, "the Axis not merely admits but proclaims that there can be no ultimate peace between their philosophy of government and our philosophy of government ." </P> <P> However, there were still many who held on to non-interventionism . Although a minority, they were well organized, and had a powerful presence in Congress . Pro-German or anti-British opinion contributed to non-interventionism . Roosevelt's national share of the 1940 presidential vote declined by seven percentage points from 1936 . Of the 20 counties in which his share declined by 35 points or more, 19 were largely German - speaking . Of the 35 counties in which his share declined by 25 to 34 points, German was the largest or second - largest original nationality in 31 . Non-interventionists rooted a significant portion of their arguments in historical precedent, citing events such as Washington's farewell address and the failure of World War I . "If we have strong defenses and understand and believe in what we are defending, we need fear nobody in this world," Robert Maynard Hutchins, President of the University of Chicago, wrote in a 1940 essay . Isolationists believed that the safety of the nation was more important than any foreign war . </P>

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