DailyTimeCapsule brief
May 9, 1940
On May 9, 1940, the Pennsylvania Democrats expressed their support for Harry S. Truman as the likely nominee should President Franklin D. Roosevelt step down from the presidency. This political maneuvering took place in the backdrop of World War II, with the United States maintaining a policy of neutrality while tensions escalated across Europe. As the war intensified, reports emerged that Iran was shipping goods through the Soviet Union to Nazi Germany, indicating the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. Meanwhile, the International Telephone and Telegraph Company (I.T.& T.) reported significant investments totaling over $279 million in the Americas, highlighting the challenges faced by American businesses as wartime conditions loomed over global economies.
Key developments
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On May 9, 1940, Pennsylvania Democrats expressed their strong support for James A. Stark as a presidential nominee, should Franklin D. Roosevelt decide to withdraw from the race. This movement highlighted the political dynamics within the Democratic Party as Roosevelt's re-election campaign faced uncertainties. Stark was seen as a unifying candidate capable of carrying forward the New Deal principles.
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On May 9, 1940, Sosthenes Behn, president of International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation, reported that the company's investments in the United States and Latin America had reached $279,128,841. This represented a significant 56% of the company's assets located in the Hemisphere. Behn also highlighted the new and intensified challenges posed by the ongoing war.
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On May 9, 1940, reports emerged that Iran was facilitating shipping routes through the Soviet Union to Nazi Germany. This agreement was thought to stem from a pact between the USSR and Germany that allowed for transit rights. The development raised concerns among Western allies about the growing influence of the Axis powers in the region.
