USA During World War II, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Second World War is beyond any doubt the most devastating conflict in the history of mankind. It started in 1939 and was over in 1945, lasting for 6 years. The conflict first involved only about ten European states, but later spread to include over 50 countries on several major combat theatres. The war was fought in Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Ocean. Industrial potential and personnel were the deciding factors in this global battle. By the end of war completely new weapon types were introduced, including long-range missiles and nuclear bombs. Most of the fighting, however, was performed using the upgraded weaponry of the World War I: aircraft and tanks were the deciding force. (World War II; Encyclopedia – History.com)

The after-war statistics vividly demonstrate the scale of the conflict that shocked the entire world: 61 countries with the total population of over 1,5 billion people were involved. Over 110 million people were mobilized into military service throughout the world. USA accounted for over 10% of these people, involving 16 million Americans in active service during the war. Economic consequences were also great – military spending throughout the world exceeded $1 trillion. Most of the money was spent by the US – over $300 billion, a significant part of which was used through the lend lease program. These sums, however, do not fully reflect the full costs of wear. USSR, for example, claims to have lost up to 30% of the national wealth, Germany was virtually ruined and Great Britain lost its dominance over the sees. The only country that played a significant role in the conflict but did not suffer the terrible losses in the industrial and people potential was the United States. Soviet Union, for example, lost about 20 million people (13 million soldiers and 7 million civilians), while the USA suffered almost no civilian losses and only about 300 000 soldiers. (World War II; Encyclopedia – History.com)

Reasons for US involvement in the conflict

It is still being discussed whether the USA would enter the World War II had Japan not attacked Pearl Harbor. Such questions are impossible to answer, because history is the subject that does not allow assumptions, however, we may discuss the actual reasoning for America entering the conflict.

As it has been stated above, World War II was unprecedented by its scope. Soon after the beginning of the campaign it became clear that the coalition, that won would largely predetermine the future world order. American leaders clearly realized that if the country did not start active operations against the Axis, it would have been isolated from the world order that would be established afterwards (Winkler, A.M. 2000).

Moral reasons are among the basic ones for the US involvement in real military actions. Long before the beginning of the War in 1939 it was clear that the Nazi regime was inhuman and totalitarian. Being a developed industrialized democratic state, United States simply could not ignore the fact that the very basic human rights and freedoms are being completely neglected in Germany. Conservative part of the US political elite still tried to stick to the isolationist policy, claiming that the domestic issues are of number one priority and that no country should interfere even in case of obviously immoral policies of the other state. Taft was one of the politicians that strongly opposed any US interference, he claimed that “no single nation should range over the world, like a knight-errant, protect democracy and ideals of good faith, and tilt, like Don Quixote, against the windmills of fascism.” (Wilson, J. 1993) Taft supposed that government was supposed to protect liberty at home, and not try to expand it elsewhere in the world. Liberal politicians, however, headed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt were sure that a democratic state could not calmly observe the rest of the world sinking into chaos.

The second reason is of geopolitical nature. USA has always had strategic interest in the Pacific Ocean. Safety of this coast line has always been one of the number one priorities for the American government. Aggressive Japanese expansion in this area held a significant threat for the national security. By 1939 US and Japanese fleet were the key players in the Pacific Ocean. Eventual confrontation of the two sides was inevitable.

Economic factors also played and important role in the US interference in the conflict. It took years for the country to recover from the damaged done by the Great depression. New Deal, proposed by the Roosevelt administration was supposed to save the situation and get the country’s economy back on trail. Total mobilization of the industrial capabilities could provide a major boost for the weakened economy (Wilson. J. 1993). Moreover, the American society was somewhat split apart – democratic President and republican Congress failed to work for the sake of the common goal, which destabilized the situation to a great extent. A common goal was needed to unite the country. Japanese regime and the Nazi Germany could become the strong enemy that would set the political disagreements aside.

And finally, the Japanese assault over Pearl Harbor was the main pretext for the massive war. USA obviously could not ignore a major assault over its fleet and was forced to act. Beginning of a war with Japan automatically meant a conflict with Germany and Japan.

Domestic policies during World War II

After the Japanese assault on the Pearl Harbor military base, the entire American Nation was shocked. A great number of people claim they clearly remember the day they heard of the assault and will forever remember what they were doing at that moment (Winkler, A.M. 2000). Surprisingly, some people felt relief. This can be explained – the time of indecision and unclear policies was over. Since 1939 the country was living on the brink of war, in a constant diplomatic conflict with Germany, Italy and Japan. Once the war was declared, there was no way back. The further path was rather clear, it would certainly be hard, but better than not being sure what happens in the coming days.

Economic relief followed soon after the psychological one. Involvement in war meant massive government spending. In the times after the Great Depression government interference was necessary. Markets failed to regulate the economy properly and also failed to help the country out of depression. New Deal was supposed to save the situation, but most of the President’s initiatives were blocked by the Congress. As a result no progress was made whatsoever (Wilson, J. 1993). At the times of war President is granted extra powers and blocking his actions would look rather unpatriotically. As a result, due to the extra influence from the state some hard decisions to save the economy were taken. For example, a 90% tax on any income over $150 00 was introduced. This helped to fill in the budget significantly, but such initiative would have never passed in the normal conditions.

Major problem included militarization of the automobile industry. This sector suffered most consequences after the crisis, most job cuts occurred there. It certainly took time and money to convert the civilian plants to the military purposes, but massive demand from the allies through lend lease program allowed benefiting from the scales. As a result, over 17 million jobs were created in the militarized economy (Winkler, A.M.). Virtually anyone could get a job – the American dream was back. Over one year a great surplus of the workforce vanished, which solved a number of social problems.

Hitler’s policy towards Jews and Gypsies demonstrated fundamental flaws in segregation. Germany demonstrated the consequences of the faulty race policy. Holocaust shocked the entire planet and made the US society reconsider its approach towards racial equality. Afro-American citizens hated the Nazi regime to the greatest extent, as it demonstrated to which consequences discrimination may bring (Spellman, C.G. 1993).

Presidency during the conflict

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is beyond any doubt one of the greatest presidents in the US history. He guided the nation through the turbulent times with exceptional calmness and grace. Despite the uncertainty in the society and strong opposition from the Congress, he managed to set clear goals and made sure they were achieved. Roosevelt’s tenure changed the US Presidency forever. During his time the government started massively intervening into the economic activities – actions that theoretically might have ruined liberalism and democracy. Due to the effective control and a set of clear policies this never actually happened. The times of a massive war are especially tempting for the government gaining too much control over the life of Americans. Only due to FDR’s devotion to the ideals of democracy such threat was neutralized (Kimball, W.F. 2004). Franklin Delano Roosevelt tried to minimize the barriers between the President and simple people; he frequently addressed the nation on the radio, trying to establish stronger bonds between the government and the citizens (Millcenter.com).

Outcomes of the conflict for the country 

In the end, World War II turned out to be the most successful conflict in the US history. No real fighting occurred on the US territory and no damage was done to the industrial sector. On the contrary, military orders and massive production revived the economy and made USA the richest country in the world. In just six years US gained the largest fleet on the planet and turned from a global debtor into a global creditor. The political influence of the country in the international affairs rose to a highest extent in history. USA became the leader of the developed industrial states, which it remains till today.

Works cited

Kimball, W.F. Franklin D. Roosevelt and World War II. Presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 34, 2004

Spellman, C.G. The Black Press: Setting the Political Agenda during World War II. Negro History Bulletin, Vol. 51, December 1993.

Willson J. How World War II Saved the New Deal. USA Today. (Society for the   Advancement of Education), Vol. 122, July 1993.

Winkler A. M. Home Front U.S.A: America during World War II. Harlan Davidson, 2000.140 pgs.

Impact and Legacy – Franklin Delano Roosevelt – Millcenter.com accessed June 20, 2009 at: http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/fdroosevelt/essays/biography/9

World War II; Encyclopedia – History.com Accessed June 20, 2009 at: http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=226140