After America’s short period of neutrality and isolation at the beginning of World War II, President Roosevelt used subtle steps to help bring the United States into the war without going against public opinion and flat out declaring war. Through revision’s to the Neutrality Act to support European democracies with arms, supplying Britain with Destroyers, and instituting the Lend-Lease programs Roosevelt and the United States supported Britain in its war against the Axis powers. Like Rick Blaine in Casablanca who ended up helping the Resistance movement by giving Lazlo visas to exit Casablanca against Nazi orders, American policies during a time of declared neutrality gave crucial aid to the soon to become Allied forces.

Roosevelt could not openly declare war on Germany because American public opinion mirrored Rick who would “stick [his] neck out for nobody.” Direct involvement meant sending American troops into battle with certain casualties. Roosevelt defended his actions by saying that all the steps were necessary to protect the national security of the United States against the threat of attacks by the Axis powers. Rick justifies helping Lazlo because he realizes that Nazi control of Casablanca will eventually destroy him no matter if he stays neutral. Both America and Rick have strong moral and ideological ties to the Allies and under the guise of protecting themselves, they both end up reversing their hard-line policies of neutrality and help provide support against the Nazis.