OCTOBER 3
EUROPEAN WAR
Interviewing Date 9/19-24/41
Survey #248-K Question #6
In general, do you approve or disapprove of having the United States Navy shoot at German submarines or warships on sight?
Approve… 62%
Disapprove… 28%
No opinion… 10%
By region
| Yes | No | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | 61% | 29% | 10% |
| Mid-Atlantic | 61% | 29% | 10% |
| East Central | 56% | 35% | 9% |
| West Central | 56% | 31% | 13% |
| South | 78% | 15% | 7% |
| West | 64% | 27% | 9% |
By political affiliation
| Yes | No | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 68% | 22% | 10% |
| Republicans | 56% | 36% | 8% |
OCTOBER 5
EUROPEAN WAR
Interviewing Date 9/19-24/41
Survey #248-K Question #4a
Which of these two things do you think is the more important — that this country keep out of war or that Germany be defeated?
Keep out of war… 30%
Germany be defeated… 70%
By political affiliation
| Keep out | Defeat Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 23% | 77% |
| Republicans | 36% | 64% |
By region
| Keep out | Defeat Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| New England | 30% | 70% |
| Mid-Atlantic | 30% | 70% |
| East Central | 37% | 63% |
| West Central | 36% | 64% |
| South | 12% | 88% |
| West | 31% | 69% |
By income
| Keep out | Defeat Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Upper | 24% | 76% |
| Middle | 26% | 74% |
| Lower | 35% | 65% |
OCTOBER 8
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
Interviewing Date 9/19-24/41
Survey #248-K Question #5
So far as you personally are concerned, do you think President Roosevelt has gone too far in his policies of helping Britain, or not far enough?
Too far… 27%
About right… 57%
Not far enough… 16%
No opinion… 10%
By region
| Too far | About right | Not far enough | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | 27% | 55% | 18% |
| Mid-Atlantic | 27% | 55% | 18% |
| East Central | 34% | 51% | 15% |
| West Central | 31% | 59% | 10% |
| South | 14% | 61% | 25% |
| West | 24% | 62% | 14% |
“East Central” looks like it is more isolationist then the rest of the country. What states are listed by Gallup as a part of this region?
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.
OCTOBER 17
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
Special Survey
Asked in New York City: In general, do you approve or disapprove of President Roosevelt’s foreign policy?
Approve… 67%
Disapprove… 33%
This question was asked of those who are registered to vote in the forthcoming election for mayor. Less than 50% of the adult population of the city is registered.
OCTOBER 18
COURSES IN MILITARY TRAINING
Interviewing Date 10/3-8/41
Survey #249 Question #1
Do you think courses in military training should be given boys in high school in your community?
Yes… 69%
No… 31%
No opinion… 4%
OCTOBER 19
NEUTRALITY
Interviewing Date 10/9-14/41
Survey #250-K Question #4
Should the Neutrality Act be changed to permit American ships to be armed?
Yes… 72%
No… 21%
No opinion… 7%
By political affiliation
| Yes | No | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 76% | 17% | 7% |
| Republicans | 66% | 27% | 7% |
Interviewing Date 10/9-14/41
Survey #250-K Question #2
Should the Neutrality Act be changed to permit American merchant ships with American crews to carry war materials to England?
Yes… 46%
No… 40%
No opinion… 14%
By political affiliation
| Yes | No | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 53% | 33% | 14% |
| Republicans | 40% | 48% | 12% |
Wow! Thank you!
This is some amazing population data.The regional and voter preference information is fantastic! I would love to know more about the actual population parameters like how the information was gathered, whether there were any deeper demographic information, etc.
This is a very interesting lens into the general feelings of the people in the US at the time. Most of the information in the history books appears to be from newspaper and magazines articles. Access to more raw data about the population of the US at the time is just fascinating.
Some of that may or may not be seen in news reports on the poll.
OCTOBER 25
PRO- AND ANTI-WAR GROUPS
Interviewing Date 10/9-14/41
Survey #250-K Question #4
What persons or groups do you think are most active in trying to keep us out of war?
The following are listed according to frequency of mention:
Interviewing Date 10/9-14/41
Survey #250-K Question #5
What persons or groups do you think are most active in trying to get us into war?
The following are listed according to frequency of mention:
NOVEMBER 2
EUROPEAN WAR
Interviewing Date 9/19-24/41
Survey #248-K Question #5
So far as you personally are concerned, do you think President Roosevelt has gone too far or not far enough in his policy of aiding Britain?
Too far… 27%
About right… 57%
Not far enough… 16%
Union members only
Too far… 27%
About right… 55%
Not far enough… 18%
Interviewing Date 10/9-14/41
Survey #250-K Question #3
Which of these two things do you think is the more important — that this country keep out of war, or that Germany be defeated?
Keep out of war… 32%
Defeat Germany… 68%
Union members only
Keep out of war… 34%
Defeat Germany… 66%
NOVEMBER 3
LABOR STRIKES
Interviewing Date 10/9-14/41
Survey #250-K Question #10a
Should the Government forbid strikes in defense industries, or should the workers in those industries continue to have the right to go on strike?
Forbid strikes… 73%
Right to strike… 23%
No opinion… 4%
Union members only
Forbid strikes… 56%
Right to strike… 39%
No opinion… 5%
NOVEMBER 5
NEUTRALITY
Interviewing Date 10/24-29/41
Survey #251-K Question #4
Should the Neutrality Act be changed to permit American merchant ships to be armed?
Yes… 81%
No… 14%
No opinion… 5%
Interviewing Date 10/24-29/41
Survey #251-K Question #3
Should the Neutrality Act be changed to permit American merchant ships with American crews to carry war materials to Britain?
Yes… 61%
No… 31%
No opinion… 8%
NOVEMBER 7
THE ARMY
Interviewing Date 10/9-14/41
Survey #250-K Question #6
The army has asked Congress to change the law that says drafted men cannot be sent to fight outside of North or South America or this country’s possessions. Do you think Congress should give the army the right to send drafted soldiers to any part of the world?
Yes… 42%
No… 53%
No opinion… 5%
By political affiliation
| Yes | No | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 48% | 47% | 5% |
| Republicans | 38% | 58% | 4% |
By sex
| Yes | No | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 49% | 48% | 3% |
| Women | 36% | 58% | 6% |
NOVEMBER 12
BRITISH WAR EFFORT
Special Survey
Asked in Great Britain: Do you feel that Britain has taken or has not taken full advantage of the opportunities offered by the German attack on Russia?
Has… 29%
Has not… 49%
Undecided… 22%
Asked in Great Britain: Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the Government’s conduct of the war?
Satisfied… 44%
Dissatisfied… 38%
No opinion… 18%
Asked in Great Britain: Do you approve or disapprove of Winston Churchill as Prime Minister?
Approve… 84%
Disapprove… 11%
No opinion… 5%
NOVEMBER 14
JAPAN
Interviewing Date 10/24-29/41
Survey #251-K Question #9
Should the United States take steps now to prevent Japan from becoming more powerful, even if this means risking a war with Japan?
Yes… 64%
No… 25%
No opinion… 11%
NOVEMBER 15
LABOR STRIKES
Interviewing Date 10/9-14/41
Survey #250-K Question #11
Should all workers in defense industries who have been deferred from the draft because they are defense workers, be drafted if they go on strike?
Yes… 76%
No… 20%
No opinion… 4%
NOVEMBER 17
LABOR UNIONS AND STRIKES
Interviewing Date 11/7-12/41
Survey #252-K Question #4
Should the Government forbid strikes in defense industries, or should the workers in those industries continue to have the right to go on strike?
By occupation
| Forbid strikes | Allow strikes | No opinion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Businessmen | 78% | 17% | 5% |
| Professionals | 67% | 27% | 6% |
| Skilled workers | 64% | 29% | 7% |
| Unskilled workers | 63% | 27% | 10% |
| White collar | 72% | 22% | 6% |
| Farmers | 78% | 13% | 9% |
Interviewing Date 10/3-8/41
Survey #249 Question #7
Are you in favor of labor unions?
Yes… 67%
No… 33%
By occupation
| Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Businessmen | 66% | 34% |
| Professionals | 77% | 23% |
| Skilled workers | 75% | 25% |
| Unskilled workers | 71% | 29% |
| White collar | 69% | 31% |
| Farmers | 52% | 48% |