My argument has not shifted, but your own graph makes my point, namely that in 1941 US unemployment was down from ~20% in 1938 and nearing the 5% it soon after achieved.
Employment was higher than ever, to date, so by comparison the U.S. economy was already booming, without a declaration of war.
I'm not saying FDR didn't want to join the World War, I am saying his motives were not purely economic.
My argument has not shifted, but your own graph makes my point, namely that in 1941 US unemployment was down from ~20% in 1938 and nearing the 5% it soon after achieved.
Whoa....you said in 1940 unemployment was 5%. It clearly wasn't.
If you're wrong on that fact.....
I think we're arguing two points here.
One, what was needed to end the Great Depression.
Two, did FDR want the US in the War.
How are those two related?
I agree FDR recognized the danger arising in Europe and Japan. He wanted the US in the War. He also wanted the Great Depression to end(?). That one I might have some issues with as it allowed him to grow government.
So how are these related?
Without the War, or even helping via Lend Lease, the economy was not on track.
Morganthau noted in his diary in May 1939:
" We have tried spending money. We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work. And I have just one interest, and if I am wrong ... somebody else can have my job. I want to see this country prosperous. I want to see people get a job. I want to see people get enough to eat. We have never made good on our promises. ... I say after eight years of this Administration we have just as much unemployment as when we started. ... And an enormous debt to boot."
http://www.burtfolsom.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/Morgenthau.pdf
<(On a side note....reading the memo is insightful as it's full of typical liberal talking points. We don't tax enough, etc, etc.
At one point he notes he doesn't pay enough in taxes!
Well, here's the simple solution: write a check if you feel you don't pay enough.)
So they recognized the New Deal had failed.
They needed something else.
The declines in unemployment are in part reflective of the increase spending on defense/defense related items.
So to keep the economy going he needed the War or some degree of involvement in the War.
I argue his reasons for wanting the war was to primarily get the US out of the economic mess he'd continued with his failed policies.