Hiram Johnson and Early New Deal Diplomacy, 1933-1934

Abstract

Early new deal diplomacy evolved largely around the debate over the collection of war debts, the question of an arms embargo, and the economic role of the United States in world affairs. In this atmosphere a debate on foreign policy began that revealed a decisive split in American attitudes. The sup porters of Franklin D. Roosevelt felt that a return to the Wilsonian concept of collective security would help to bring about a more stable international order. An opposing group of congressional isolationists, including Senator Hiram W. Johnson of California, argued that an active foreign policy would serve the nefarious interests of the business community. The two groups engaged in a debate that produced a drift toward isolationism. This drift was accelerated by the rising militarism in Europe and Asia, the failure of the Geneva Conference to promote worldwide disarmament, the inability to outlaw or control war, and the feeling that bankers and businessmen were leading the United States into an unwise foreign policy. Eager to avoid the mistakes of World War I the congres sional isolationists passed the Johnson Act of 1934. This legislation placed an embargo on lending to nations in default on war debts to the United States government, and it brought the forces of isolationism into the mainstream of American politics. As the first of a series of neutrality laws the Johnson Act began the process of establishing an foreign policy.1 In the debate over the position of the United States in international affairs, the role of California's Senator Hiram W. Johnson has been virtually ignored by diplomatic historians. The sensational munitions investigations of Senator Gerald Nye after World War I and the passage of more significant neutrality laws have overshadowed Johnson's contribution. As an influential member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a man who had led progressive reform in Cali fornia as governor from 1910^1916 before becoming a senator, he played a significant role in the triumph of attitudes; his approach to foreign policy epitomizes the isolationist impulse of the 1930's.2 This article will examine Hiram Johnson's influence on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from January, 1933, through the passage of the Johnson Act of April, 1934. This act was the culmination of the California senator's early crusade to isolate America from world problems. Examined with Johnson's