Was just watching a video about Lend-Lease.

[captain queeg]

I knew some of the history and how Roosevelt had a hard time getting it approved due to the strong isolationist sentiment in the US at the time. Something they said pricked my ear when they were talking is how it squeaked thru congress on a largely party line vote. So I had to go check. Any guess as to which party supported lend-lease? Yup, democrats of course. Trying to do the right thing. Of course Roosevelt was a Democrat and he certainly stretched the limits of presidential power. In good ways mostly.

One other thing, while it was largely along party lines there was plenty of crossover with some Rs voting for and some Ds against. That’s when are congress was functional in that representatives put the country or state or constituents first (largely).

[Sherman A1]

1. Just read an interesting piece on the era

Regarding FDRs efforts to bring the nation along from isolationist thinking to a war footing including the undeclared war in The Atlantic vs the U-boats prior to the Japanese forcing the issue in December of 1941.

[captain queeg]

2. In the video I thought I heard it said that the merchant marine suffered more casualties

Than any other service. That didn’t really sound right, I might have heard it wrong. But a great many died in the Battle of the Atlantic, so maybe so. Thousands of ships were sunk and the odds for survival were very slim. It wasn't that many years ago that the US officially recognized them as military veterans. Pretty shitty that it took so long.

[Sherman A1]

3. The Merchant Marine had it tough and yes, it was far too long

For their efforts to be recognized. As to the casualty rate being the highest I don’t know if it compares to the Eighth Air Force but all the loses meant someone wasn’t coming home to a family and I’m sure were felt equally by those left behind.

[3Hotdogs]

5. The Battle of the Atlantic.

Merchant ships from the Gulf of Mexico and east coast southern ports would sail north along the eastern seaboard. When they reached Atlantic City, they would be silhouetted by the lights from A.C. attractions. They would then be targeted by U-boats.

A.C. hotels and piers (Million Dollar Pier and Steel Pier) were asked to shut their lights but they refused.

Most interesting to me, a U-boat was sunk and captured. Ticket stubs were found in the pocket of the captain. They were for a performance in Boston, the prior evening.

This was also the time of the only foreign invasion of American soil. That was the capture of German saboteurs who were unloaded from a sub off of Long Island, N.Y. They were sent to blow up power stations.

[rurallib]

4. did you happen to notice what segment of the country the crossovers represented?

My perception of the times would lead me to guess that Southern Dems voted against and 'liberal' Republicans voted for.

[captain queeg]

6. The only thing I noticed was they called the Republicans isolationists

I know some of the things we connect to the parties have changed over time.