America First

Pinback button advocating American neutrality and opposing entry into World War II, c. 1940. Litho. Official badge of the America First Committee.

The America First Committee was an influential political pressure group that opposed American aid to the Allied Powers of Europe, fearing that it would expand the conflict and involve the United States in another world war. Claiming a membership of nearly a million, it attracted such leaders as Gen. Robert Wood and aviator Charles Lindbergh. Though failing in its campaigns to block the Lend-Lease Act, the use of the U.S. Navy for convoys, and the repeal of the Neutrality Act, the AFC undoubtedly discouraged greater direct military aid to Great Britain, and emboldened Nazi Germany. The organization dissolved two days after Pearl Harbor.