Analyze President Roosevelts foreign policy in light of the considerable opposition and obstacles he faced in helping Great Britain.

As the United States was overcoming the hardships of the Great Depression, desperate foreigneers looked to the light of facism to bring about better times. When the fascist leaders, Hitler and Mussolini opted to conquer Europe, the British allowed this in order to maintain peace. However, when Germany became greedier and demanded all of Czechoslovakia, France and Britain declared war. As the other dominating Democratic-Republican world power, Roosevelt felt the United States should be allowed to help. However, others believed the nation should steer clear of foreign affairs. Roosevelt had to deal with America's differing opinions regarding neutrality, isolationism, and aid to the British.

Other takes on the war involved isolationism. Leas by Charles A. Lindbergh, the America First Commitee wanted the war to remain in Europe. Most importantly, they clearly voiced their opinions calling for American needs to be met first. They wanted America to focus on defending itself first.

The Neutrality Acts were passed in order to keep the nation out of another world war. The United States was just beginning to overcome the Great Depression, and the people did not want to deal with the stresses of war. According to the Neutrality Acts, Americans were not allowed to sell of make loans to belligerents. Furthermore, Americans could not sail on belligerent ships. Although the Neutrality Acts were made to keep the United States out of foreign affairs, they would eventually lead to American involvement in the war. While the United States refused to help Britain, the fascist nations were becoming more and more powerful. Therefore, harder to defeat without American aid.

Although Americans did not want war, those who did advocated for selfish needs. President Roosevelt found ways to still help Britain. Through the "cash and carry" program, countries at war were allowed to purchase arms given they provided their own transportation. Also, President Roosevelt was able to provide the British with credit through the "lend-lease" program. Finally, Roosevelt exchanged U.S. Navy destroyers for military bases in the Caribbean.

The United States tried to be neutral. Through the Neutrality Acts and the America First Comitee, America made a sincere attempt to stay out of foreign affairs. However, President Roosevelt still managed to help Britain through certain programs such as the "cash and carry" and "lend-lease."

Analyze the ways in which the Great Depression altered the American social fabric in the 1930s.

World War I preceded the Great Depression. The nation prospered due to overseas demands for supplies. All this prosperity leaked in to the 1920s, when the nations was full of cultural diversity and growing businesses. However, as underlying and often ignored issues came to light at the turn of the decade, America's economy collapsed. President Roosevelt attempted to relieve, reform, and help the nation recover. Social fabric was altered emotionally, politically, and economically.

President Hoover did not do much to interfere with the economy. The Great Depression have brought about great hardships among America. Many Americans were disappointed with the capitalist system. They had lost confidence in the banking system as well. Most importantly, Americans felt anger and resentment towards President Hoover, the "do-nothing leader." As more and more people lost their houses and moved to "Hoovervilles," the American Dream seemed to fade.

Triggered by the disillusionment brought about by Hoover's weak attempt to aid the economy, Americans were ready for a change. Although Hoover ran for office, he lost to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Not only had Americans shifted political preference from Republicans to Democrats, but they had broken the trend of conservative presidents. Filled with frustration and desperation, Americans called for more liberal ways of dealing with the depression.

Franklin D. Roosevelt did his best to aid society by helping the economy. His alphabet programs ended the unemployed portion of the nation, which at the time was a great percentage. The Civilian Conservation Corps, Civil Works Administration, and Works Progress Administration employed thousands of people for conservation and construction purposes. The Federal Emergency Relief Act provided money for employment similar to these. Together, these programs helped alleviate the unemployment crisis.

In addition to helping the unemployed, Roosevelt also focused on agriculture, the working population, and consumers. In an attempt to help crop prices rise, FDR issued the Agricultural Adjustment Act. This program paid farmers to reduce their crops. Also, the Resettlement Administration was imposed. This allowed for assistance to farmers and other agrarian portions of society, which were harshly hit by the depression. Non self-employed workers were aided by the National Labor Relations Acts, which gave rights for bargaining and labor unions. Finally, Roosevelt was also concerned about consumers. The Home Owners Refinancing Act provided Americans with the opportunity to keep their homes. The National Bank Holiday and Glass-Steagall Act allowed Americans to regain trust and confidence in the banking system. The National Bank Holiday took the nation off the gold standard, and allowed only solvent banks to reopen. Very importantly, the Glass-Steagall Act established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which guaranteed deposits.

The Great Depression significantly tore the American social fabric. Citizens were left with great disillusionment in capitalism. The 1930s was a time when leaders worked to carefully mend the torn fabric through political and economic reform. These programs served to shape modern society, as social security and labor unions have survived through the years.