American Involvement During World War II

The United State’s direct involvement in World War II officially began as soon as the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Prior to that event, America had been providing arms and equipment to England but stopped short of any direct military confrontation with the Axis. The War in the Pacific was considered Asia’s War and the European War was considered a local conflict. US-Japanese relations had become strained in 1941, though America felt secure that her naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was powerful enough to discourage any aggression from Japan. On July 24, 1941, Japan occupied French Indo-China (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos). Two days after that, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt froze all Japanese assets in the United States. American trade

They came, unwarned. On the 7th of December 1941, the Japanese executed a full-fledged attack on Pearl Harbor. They mercilessly created havoc, with attacks that caused the sinking of eighteen American ships, as well as 170 aircrafts. The casualties were dreadful, with 1,177 of those lost lives had been of the crewmen. The very next day, President Roosevelt declared war on Japan, and thus the United States’ involvement of World War II. Americans of every state were absolutely enraged and bent on their will for vengeance against the Asian country. Within the shadows of galvanized America, Robert Oppenheimer had set his infamous Manhattan Project into action. This project was so disclosed that only a limited number of men truly knew of its purpose. The clandestine project held prior securities to the point in which famous scientists had to use codenames in order to visit Los Alamos, even wives were kept in the dark, and only key scientists could bring their wives along with them. (Source D) This project had been the discreet creation of the Atomic Bombs. Time and time again, this topic had never really dissipated, its controversial who, what and whys prompting generations to debate its palpable purpose. Was the aim really focused for the “good of all?” Was it for America’s self-preservation and wish to promptly put an end to all of the suffering? Many Americans to this day still believe and argue for the usefulness of the atomic bombings, that the droppings were justified.

From the earliest times, war has existed as a painful reality. Stories are passed down from generation to generation about brave men fighting epic battles in ancient civilizations. Occasionally a different type of legend emerges: the homefront hero. Leaders in Ancient Greece and Rome are documented preventing panic and raising supplies for their distant armies. From then on through history, those left behind, from the leaders of countries tested in resolve and commitment by wars to the ordinary citizens who rise above their routines to serve their countries, are powerful forces behind victories. World War II was no exception. While the soldiers abroad were undoubtedly true heroes of the war, the parents, siblings, and children they left behind also assisted in the war effort. No one remained truly unaffected by the war. Without the labors of women, the efforts of schoolchildren, and the institution of rationing, World War II could not have been won.

Why did the U.S. avoid involvement in WWII until December 1941? Why was the Pearl Harbor attack such a shock to the U.S.?

From the earliest times, war has existed as a painful reality. Stories are passed down from generation to generation about brave men fighting epic battles in ancient civilizations. Occasionally a different type of legend emerges: the homefront hero. In Ancient Greece and Rome, elderly statesmen prevented famine and raised supplies for their distant armies in wartime. From then on through history, those left behind, from the leaders of countries tested in resolve and commitment by wars to the ordinary citizens who rise above their routines to serve their countries, are powerful forces behind victories. World War II was no exception. While the soldiers abroad were undoubtedly true heroes of the war, the parents, siblings, and children they left behind also assisted in the war effort. No one remained truly unaffected by the war. Without the labors of women, the efforts of schoolchildren, and the institution of rationing, World War II could not have been won.

World War II was a war unlike any other war that has occurred in the history of the war. In studying this war, there are some significant events that contributed to the start of World War II, that led to the US's entrance into W.W.II, and events that helped bring an end to W.W.II. The failure of the Geneva Peace conference, Hitler's annexation of Austria, the Spanish Civil War, Hitler's acquisition of Czechoslovakia, the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact, Germany's invasion of Poland, and the fall of France all contributed greatly to the start of World War II. Some events that contributed to the entrance of the US into the war were Italy's invasion on Ethiopia, Japan's invasion of China, the Attack on

Rose claims that when people discussed the war they choose to focus on stories that helped the population feel good, rather than talking about the horrors of the war. World War II seemed to generate higher levels of patriotism than ever before seen. Rose hopes to give true honor to the Americans of this generation in his book. Not by elaborating on their contributions, but by trying to paint a picture of what life was like while America was at war. Rose chose to rely on first-hand accounts of the men and women who actually experienced the war. He does this to give them credit, but also to show that the so-called Greatest Generation was not without its own problems and flaws. He shows that they were just another regular generation who lived through tough times that tested their character and will power.

In the beginning only 128 American people lost their life, this then resulted in the death of over 50 thousand Americans (America Enters World War One). What an outrageous amount of people to lose their life in a war the U.S. didn't want to get involved in. It all started in 1914 when a war broke out in Europe which included two sides, the Allied Forces and the Central Powers. The Central Power included Germany, the Ottoman Empire, and Austria Hungary while the Allies Forces included France, Great Britain, and Russia. The United States really didn't want to get involved in a war so they stated they wanted to remain neutral, but Germany did a variety of things that ultimately would change the United States mind (World War One).

One of the most apparent changes was the shortages that took place throughout the nation. Household products such as aluminum foil, fabric for clothes, and Scotch tape became scarce or were even banned so that these products could be shipped off to help with the war effort (Mindell, 2008). Even food was scarce, and Americans were encouraged to grow and harvest ‘victory gardens’ so that America’s food could be shipped to the fighting soldiers (Mindell, 2008). Another example of the government’s attempts to boost people’s involvement in the war effort was the popularization the consumption alternative foods, such as soy products. Soy was full of protein and could be substituted for meat products that the soldiers desperately needed to stay healthy.

The United States of America are unique in that they allow citizens the right to speak freely and the right to assemble. This has allowed citizens to play an essential role in the economy through both their spending and their representation of the workforce. Over time major world events have changed this unique economy. Wars have been known to have significant impacts on the economy, albeit the impact relies greatly in the government and other economic factors. Before World War II the world was undergoing a Depression caused by decreasing trade and compounding speculation. The United States were hit especially hard by the Depression and in 1939 they were still recovering. With war on the horizon, the US used isolationist policies to try

The years between 1939 and 1945 marked a territorial domination and military power demand, years that brought fear amongst the global nations and settled battles for expansion during World War II. After the military offence on Poland by the German military power, in Europe Germany sought to dominate and expand its territories and power through the continent in alliance with Italy and Japan battling the head leaders of the Allies; United Kingdom, France and The Soviet Union (Lindrum, 2013). In the conquest of domination of the Pacific and whole Asia, The Japan Empire took actions against The United States and China within the Northern Pacific. In the hopes of disabling the U.S. military and pushing back its advances in defenses systems and military fight power, on December 7th, 1941 the United States of America suffered the bombing of the Pearls Harbor naval base and the lose of over 2,300 naval troops (TNA, 1942). Cough by surprise the American nation demanded for action against Japan after the devastating attack, promoting the inevitable action of the president Franklin D. Roosevelt to isolate further terroristic actions, intelligence leak and sabotage by declaring war against Japan, the rest of the Axis members and authoring the Executive Order 9066 in 1942.

Since the beginning of WW2, the United States had avoided all direct involvement in the war. Until the day, 7 December 1941. On the morning of this day the Japanese Imperial Navy launched a surprise attack on the American Naval base at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii.

One could argue the reason for US involvement in the First World War was to establish themselves as the predominant world power. Great Britain had international hegemony and in order to be a global power, the US must become a European power. President Woodrow Wilson, who was reelected on a non-interventionist platform, believed their fate was inextricably tied to the world community and America could no longer remain passive, especially given its preeminent economic status. David Reynolds writes, “Not just Europe but ‘the world’ — because the European conflict, in Wilson’s eyes, was symptomatic of the interconnected global problems of modernity[.]” Any conflict was a challenge to American interests, as borders and oceans increasingly offer

During World War II, governments were tried and tested, armies were defeated, and technology leaped forward. However, the effects of World War II extended further onto the American children. Death of fathers, collection of scraps, purchasing of ration stamps, the effects of propaganda, and the technicalities of rationing are all factors that influenced the children of that war. These conditions at work consequently caused the generation of children from World War II to grow into conscious patriots and avid supporters of the war cause.

Walking through Chicago with my precious grandson, I begin to reminisce on the War. The Second World War was devastating for the Land of the Free, though no battle ever took place on its soil. Food was scarce. Most money went to the war effort. Everything revolved around the war.