The Views of FDR: 

• Before 1937, FDR was a firm isolationist. 
• After 1937, he became aware of the threat to U.S. security due to the Panay incident: An American warship was bombed while on the Yangtze R. in China. Secretary of State Cordell Hull demanded an apology from the Japanese and got it. 

America Moves Toward War: 

• FDR calls for peace in a special session of Congress, but also asks for increased defenses. Congress sets aside $1 Billion. 
• FDR tried to get the dictators to stop the aggressions with personal messages. Hitler joked about the message in the German Reichstag. 
• FDR also used the MONROE DOCTRINE and ROOSEVELT COROLLARY to protect the Western Hemisphere. The Neutrality Acts were repealed in 1939 to set ups "Zone of Defense" around the America.