After the German invasion of Poland in September 1939 Franklin Roosevelt assured the nation that the USA would remain neutral. The public generally agreed. He did ask Congress to authorize additional funding for the military, which was small and poorly armed, and for industry to build 50,000 airplanes which was 10 times their current annual capacity. The main political question remained whether FDR would run for a third term in office. He advised the Democratic convention that he would not run but they nominated him anyway and he agreed. He defeated Wendell Wilkie in the election and appointed two Republicans to key posts: Henry Stimson as Secretary of War and Frank Knox as Secretary of the Navy. The first peacetime draft was instituted, something opposed by the newly created America First committee, whose membership included such luminaries as Charles Lindbergh. In a deft political move, he introduced lend lease as a way of helping the British. Eleanor for her part could see on the horizon the issues of race and poverty. and FDR issued Executive Order 8802 banning discrimination in defense industries. FDR's beloved mother Sara died on September 7, 1941 and Eleanor's younger brother Paul died later that month. After the attack on Pearl Harbor all 4 of the president's sons volunteered for military service as did Teddy Roosevelt's 3 surviving sons and 6 grandsons.
—garykmcd