1940: FDR, Willkie, Hitler – The Election Amid the Storm; Roosevelt’s Second Act: The Election of 1940 and the Politics of War

Abstract

This review examines two recent scholarly works on the 1940 U.S. presidential election: 1940: FDR, Willkie, Lindbergh, Hitler—the Election Amid the Storm* by Susan Dunn and Roosevelt’s Second Act: The Election of 1940 and the Politics of War by Richard Moe. Despite initial skepticism from publishers regarding the significance of this election, both authors argue that it marked a pivotal moment in American political history. While the contest between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Wendell L. Willkie did not lead to a major realignment of parties, it signaled the end of isolationism as both candidates embraced internationalism. The election also set a precedent for presidential nominees needing strong foreign policy credentials. Dunn focuses on the broader geopolitical context, including the rise of fascism in Europe and domestic debates over intervention, while Moe emphasizes Roosevelt’s leadership during World War II's early stages and his decision to seek a third term. Both books offer engaging narratives that shed new light on this often-overlooked period, providing valuable insights into the political dynamics and ideological shifts of mid-20th century America.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)