This document outlines the origins of World War 2 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's response to the escalating crisis in Europe and Asia between 1936-1940. It provides context and prompts for students to take on the role of FDR in responding to reporters' questions and drafting 30-second segments of his "Fireside Chat" radio addresses regarding how the US should respond to aggression by Germany, Italy and Japan. The document guides students through FDR's evolving foreign policy as the threat of war intensified year by year on the road to America's eventual entry into World War 2.

1. Origins of World War II and the
American Response

2. Essential Questions

3. GOAL
Can you explain
the American
response to the
events that lead up
to World War II?

4. Goal Setting
 Role:
President Franklin D.
Roosevelt
 Audience: The American public
 Format: A brief response to a
reporter’s question. (2-3
sentences)
 Topic: What are your foreign policy
goals in 1936 based on the crisis
developing in Europe and Asia?
 Read the handout and write your
answer in your notebook.

5. What do you see
in this cartoon?
What does the
flag indicate we
are going to do?
What does the
ship’s name
indicate we are
going to do?
Based on what
you know about
the neutrality
laws, which one
is more correct
and why?

6. What do you see
in this cartoon?
Who does the
seated man
represent?
What is the ship
attempting to do?
Which side is
winning out?
Why?

7. Decision- Mounting Aggression
in 1936
 Role:
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
 Audience: The American public
 Format: A 30 second segment of a Fireside
Chat radio address.
 Topic: How should the United States respond
to the mounting aggression in 1936 in Europe
and Asia?
 Read the handout and write your answer in
your notebook.

8. Decision- Mounting Aggression
in 1937 and 1938
 Role:
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
 Audience: The American public
 Format: A 30 second segment of a Fireside
Chat radio address.
 Topic: How should the United States respond
to the mounting aggression in 1937 and 1938
in Europe and Asia?
 Read the handout and write your answer in
your notebook.

9. Decision- Continuing Aggression
in 1938
 Role:
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
 Audience: The American public
 Format: A 30 second segment of a Fireside
Chat radio address.
 Topic: How should the United States respond
to the continuing aggression in 1938 in
Europe and Asia?
 Read the handout and write your answer in
your notebook.

10. World Reaction
 Britain
and France were passive
spectators as Germany expanded into
Austria.

11. Decision- Aggression in 1939
and 1940
 Role:
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
 Audience: The American public
 Format: A 30 second segment of a Fireside
Chat radio address.
 Topic: How should the United States respond
to the continuing aggression in 1939 and
1940 in Europe and Asia?
 Read the handout and write your answer in
your notebook.