The End Of The Great War

In the book, America’s Great War: World War I and the American Experience, Robert H. Zieger discusses the events between 1914 through 1920 forever defined the United States in the Twentieth Century. When conflict broke out in Europe in 1914, the President, Woodrow Wilson, along with the American people wished to remain neutral. In the beginning of the Twentieth Century United States politics was still based on the “isolationism” ideals of the previous century. The United States did not wish to be involved in European politics or world matters. The U.S. goal was to expand trade and commerce throughout the world and protect the borders of North America.

Through deeps roots grounded in freedom and liberty in the American people and their history, America made a name for itself through dealing with international conflict in the twentieth century. Though not all problems were solved by words alone, America was steadfast in helping their European partners in conflicts such as The Great War and World War 2. Although only entering the Great War in its last year, the intervention was still noted among the international community. The start of World War 2 launched the US out of The Great Depression and allowed many Americans to get back to work and serve their country. The conclusion of WW2 saw the US at the head of the table making demands and laying out policies, president Franklin D. Roosevelt led the charge in the war and it was Harry S. Truman who ended the war with his crucial decisions. After the US had done all of this it sought out all Communism in the world by not fighting large countries, but fighting proxy wars in Vietnam and Korea with president Ronald Reagan at the helm of it all.

There were many factors that contributed to the United States abandoning its policy of isolation and entering into the First World War in 1917, some of these factors include the election of 1916, the Russian Revolution and the actions of Woodrow Wilson as well as many more that will be examined throughout this essay. The United States prided itself on its concept of remaining neutral and staying out of avoidable dispute, they were able to achieve this to a certain extent due to its tradition of isolation, the fact that America was such a vast distance geographically from other European countries meant that at times involvement in war was very difficult. This is highlighted by Hugh Brogan (1990) “The world was so large…it was impossible for

The 20th century brought with it a plethora of technological advancements that acted as a catalyst for an important and lasting shift in the United State’s perception of its role in the world. Technological advancement in travel and communication changed the American people’s views of the world, therefore changing the direction of American foreign policy. This shift in foreign policy would eventually lead the United States into the grips of two horrific wars on the European continent. However, these wars would provide the necessary environment for the country to establish itself as the leader of the international system – a title it would desperately need tin order to attempt to create a new, less conflict-ridden global order. Though World War I set the stage for the United States to assume a global leadership role, which then set the stage for a second world war, it is not to say that the United States ever wanted anything to do with a European war in the first place. I argue that the U. S. failures to prevent World War I and World War II was due to a series of actions and events beginning at the turn of the century (a domino effect) that made it impossible to avoid joining either war once they began.

Though the United States was the military power of the world prior to World War II, its foreign policy was one of detachment. The government was determined not to get involved in other countries affairs barring unusual circumstances. A World War provided big enough means to become involved, as many Americans became enraged with the military ambitions of Japan and Germany.

The period after the Great War, or World War 1, of the early 1900s was a period of great prosperity for African Americans, women, and especially African American women. Though, on the other hand, the 1920s had some conflicts that many Americans could have seen coming. In many ways, the United States had been moving from an older world with not much individuality, to a more modern new world that we can recognize, more clearly, today. The 1920s had consisted of famous riots and restricts many immigrants had to abide by, amendments to the Constitution, and new ways of Blacks expression with the formation of Jazz music.

For the United States the event of WWII was most likely the single largest factor in determining the nation’s financial, political, and social prowess in the 20th century. Where most have knowledge of the war itself, few understand the sheer reach it had and the massive effects it produced globally. At home, it ended the great depression and strengthened our government’s ability to manage the economy. Leading up to the war virtually all industry in the country was majorly crippled if not dead, a problem that may not have ever been fixed were it not for increased demands via the defense industries.

During the twentieth century the United States of America became involved with three major conflicts that resulted in the nation shifting from a regional power into a global power. Through these conflicts the United States grew territorially, economically and industrially. Foreign policies were altered to allow the United States to gain ground on the world stage and to make their mark on the world. Through careful analysis of primary sources and scholarly document s it is clear to see that the United States involvement in the Spanish American war was the first step for the United States to grow on the world stage. The American victory in the war led to the acquisition of island territories and expanded economic and military capabilities in the both the western and eastern hemisphere as well as an increased involvement in Asia. World War I ended with American democratic ideals to be spread all across Europe. Led by President Woodrow Wilson, the United States led a one sided foreign policy that used intervention, peace treaties and military intervention to endorse international order. Despite a limited role in the war President Wilson was able to outline the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations and both of their presences can be found today.

Alliances and treaties turned international incidents into world wars. The majority of both wars were fought on European and Asian soil, along with the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The wars had a huge effect on the United States; on the economy and its society. Most of the physical damage took place overseas, but both World War I and II had lasting effects on the United States and its people. World War II had a greater impact on the United States than World War I, because it brought the United States out of the greatest depression in the country’s history and made the United States a leading world power.

The start of the Spanish-American war also marked something bigger- American entry into world affairs. Since then, the U.S. has continued to have a significant hand in various conflicts around the world, and has entered many other treaties and agreements. In 1914, at the start of World War I (WWI), President Woodrow Wilson, in a declaration of neutrality, vowed to keep America out of the war. Inspite of this, Americans were spurred on by German aggression, violation of international law, and protecting economic interests. The U.S. had entered the war, creating a major turning point. The war ended with Germany's defeat. As a determining force in the victory of the war, America became almost soley in charge of creating a post-war agenda. But,

Before the war America was seen as an imperial power. America had continuously expanded beyond its borders, which led to the open door policy, Hawaii annexed, and the acquiring of the Philippines and Puerto Rico. The open door policy allowed free flow of trade,investment, information and culture. America did it’s best to create a welcoming economic environment with caribbean countries, so that american companies could have stable access to raw material. There was a huge global movement of people, especially into the United States due to industrial expansion.The U.S. realized their way to strengthen their role in the global economy was to increase foreign relations. Everything seemed well in America until World War I.

Following the second World War, the U.S. suddenly found itself the dominant economic and military might in a devastated world. As the British Empire faded, into the vacuum a new empire arose and armed with a nuclear deterrent, the U.S began to exert its global influence.

Before World War I, America had been primarily an isolationist nation with little dealings with the world. As time went on America took more of a role in world affairs. With World War II and the post war, America took its place as one of the most dominant nations in the world. Post war, America’s economy led the world and helped rebuild war ravaged nations. Government efficiency in the economy and increased production led America to emerge as one of the biggest economic powerhouses in the world.

It can be argued convincingly that the United States emerged from World War I as the world superpower because of U.S intervention and President Woodrow Wilson’s diplomatic leadership. America had now become the ‘saviour of Europe.’ The United States left World War I with a major confidence boost. The war resulted in the death of empires, the birth of nations and in national boundaries being redrawn around the world. It ushered in prosperity for some countries while it brought economic depression to others. It influenced literature, changed culture and politics; social and economic climate was also impacted.

In the year 1945, as the second world war was coming to an end the 99-day Ford strike occurred on September 12, 1945 Windsor, Ontario. Due to the end of the war, thousands of soldiers were returning back home and actively searched for opportunities to rejoin the workforce. Despite all the outrageous effects of the battlegrounds, the end of the war brought forward Canadian’s mixed emotions and actions. For example, it caused a slowdown in the wartime production and brought forward self-assured Canadian unionists. This quickly triggered a significant increase in union memberships and the number of strikes during the time. Ford being one of Canada’s largest workplaces was struggling in maintaining and meeting its worker’s demands. Before the end of the war, Union Auto Workers productively collected union dues directly from its members. However, with thousands of members coming back from the war, it was more challenging to collect the union dues, making it a full-time activity (Canadian Labour Congress, n.d.). The United Auto workers local 200 wanted union security and demanded that Ford approve both union shops and dues check- off. After the second world war many companies including Ford decided to layoff 1,500 worker at Windsor, which also triggered the “Windsor’s Ford strike”. The worker’s necessities and wants lead to there overpowering decision to go on strike (Pryke, 1997). Although, the strike lasted 99-days it significantly influenced and changed labour relations in