The Treaty of Versailles ended WWI, but was weak and established only a fragile peace. Japan was still threatening China, and Hitler came to power in Germany. US foreign policy started off with isolationism under Herbert Hoover, and then slowly changed to neutrality, and then to total involvement after Pearl Harbor. America’s involvement was brought on by a multitude factors. Americans were concerned about the Naxi tanks, planes and troops conquering countries, especially the invasion of Poland. British survival was key to American security so the president slowly chipped away neutrality laws giving aid to Britain. “Cash and Carry” supported Britain buying war weapons. The Selective Service Act (1940) allowed compulsory military service, providing registration and training for young men. Eventually, Roosevelt ended Cash and Carry for the Lend-Lease act permitting Britain to obtain all the U.S arms.The idea that America only began to assist Britain after being attacked and that American aid came through hostility is a misconception created by Anti-British isolationists. Prior to the Pearl Harbor attack, America began to deprive Japan of oil with an embargo in an attempt to prevent the attack of oil-rich British territory in East Asia. America was fully brought into the warfront due to the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, creating the incorrect impression that America was completely uninvolved in the war effort prior to unprovoked conflict from the Axis Powers. Opposition to the involvement of America in the war effort had developed from the results of the first World War, but much of America’s political leadership sought to aid Britain and its allies.
During World War II, a veteran stationed in Trier, Germany wrote a letter on March 25, 1945, telling his significant other of his fear that she would grow apart from him and promising her that he would return from fighting. The veteran described his thoughts of her and how much he missed her. The war environment was very dangerous and had fox holes, trenches, debris, and barbed wire, and the city was a wreck. The audience is the veteran’s significant other, who means a great deal to the veteran and can utilize the letter to keep hope that he will return home. The audience could also be the American people on the home front so that they could understand what the war conditions are like. The point of view is that the war is a dangerous situation that distances veterans from loved ones and that veterans often feel lonely on the battlefield.The purpose is to show people the truth about what the battlefield is like and to encourage the veteran’s family to write more often. The veteran wants to show people how little he has with him and to send wishes back to the family in an effort to grow closer to his family again.
The war was not only difficult for the veterans fighting in it, but also for the families and people on the home front. The 1948 photograph shows a woman attempting to sell her four children due to eviction from her home. The children were passed along through rough conditions, such as enslavement, rapes, kidnapping, and forced labor. The wartime caused mass poverty among the citizens resulting to drastic and poor decisions.
The idea that America only began to assist Britain after being attacked and that American aid came through hostility is a misconception created by Anti-British isolationists. Prior to the Pearl Harbor attack, America began to deprive Japan of oil with an embargo in an attempt to prevent the attack of oil-rich British territory in East Asia. America was fully brought into the warfront due to the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, creating the incorrect impression that America was completely uninvolved in the war effort prior to unprovoked conflict from the Axis Powers. Opposition to the involvement of America in the war effort had developed from the results of the first World War, but much of America’s political leadership sought to aid Britain and its allies.
The idea that America only began to assist Britain after being attacked and that American aid came through hostility is a misconception created by Anti-British isolationists. Prior to the Pearl Harbor attack, America began to deprive Japan of oil with an embargo in an attempt to prevent the attack of oil-rich British territory in East Asia. America was fully brought into the warfront due to the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, creating the incorrect impression that America was completely uninvolved in the war effort prior to unprovoked conflict from the Axis Powers. Opposition to the involvement of America in the war effort had developed from the results of the first World War, but much of America’s political leadership sought to aid Britain and its allies.
Americans were active at home, rationing food and buying war bonds. The country was mobilized through a shift in business and industry to wartime manufacturing, increased research and development, financing through war bonds, and wartime propaganda.
Special time agencies were created to mobilize the economy like the War Production Board to manage industries. The Office of War Mobilization established controlled production and raw materials. The OPA, or Office of Price Administration heavily regulated civilians lives. It froze prices, wages, rents and rationed meat, sugar, gas and tires to fight inflation. American factories started rolling tanks, fighter planes and cars. Scientists and universities were contracted to develop technology, medicine and the secret project of the atomic bomb.
Since the war was credited with taking America out of the Great Depression few were against the war effort. Propaganda was mostly targeted at boosting morale amongst people. Movies, radio, and popular music all portrayed a patriotic view of the war. The unity of Americans behind the war’s democratic ideals helped the generation remember it as “the Good War”.
WW2 brought different opportunities to different groups. African Americans moved to the north and west for jobs, and many women served in non-combative roles. Even American Indians served in the military and defense industries.
One group that suffered was Japanese Americans who were targeted because of wartime suspicions and were placed into internment camps. In the case of Korematsu vs US, the Supreme Court upheld internment as justified in wartime. Wartime migrations eased regional differences. Immigrants served as a “band of brothers”. To speak more about America during the war, we interviewed Mr. Curtis who served on the coast guard during World War 2 and through his 27 years of service gained much insight into War time America.
Special time agencies were created to mobilize the economy like the War Production Board to manage industries. The Office of War Mobilization established controlled production and raw materials. The OPA, or Office of Price Administration heavily regulated civilians lives. It froze prices, wages, rents and rationed meat, sugar, gas and tires to fight inflation. American factories started rolling tanks, fighter planes and cars. Scientists and universities were contracted to develop technology, medicine and the secret project of the atomic bomb.
Since the war was credited with taking America out of the Great Depression few were against the war effort. Propaganda was mostly targeted at boosting morale amongst people. Movies, radio, and popular music all portrayed a patriotic view of the war. The unity of Americans behind the war’s democratic ideals helped the generation remember it as “the Good War”.
WW2 brought different opportunities to different groups. African Americans moved to the north and west for jobs, and many women served in non-combative roles. Even American Indians served in the military and defense industries.
One group that suffered was Japanese Americans who were targeted because of wartime suspicions and were placed into internment camps. In the case of Korematsu vs US, the Supreme Court upheld internment as justified in wartime. Wartime migrations eased regional differences. Immigrants served as a “band of brothers”. To speak more about America during the war, we interviewed Mr. Curtis who served on the coast guard during World War 2 and through his 27 years of service gained much insight into War time America.
The war was fought on two fronts: the Pacific and and in Europe. Fighting in Germany had two goals: begin bombing raids on German cities and overcome German submarines. US bombers led strategic bombing raids on targets in Europe and civilian targets became blurred. German forces needed to be driven out of North Africa and the Mediterranean. Allied forces took North Africa from the Germans in 193.
After pearl harbor, the Japanese occupied parts of Asia. The US began a long campaign if striking home islands of Japan in strategic locations called Island Hopping. Kamikaze pilots were used by the Japanese to make suicide attacks on ships. An important role was also played at home by the Coast Guard which defended American waters. Mr. Curtis served on the Coast Guard for much of his life and spoke to us about his duties and services.
After pearl harbor, the Japanese occupied parts of Asia. The US began a long campaign if striking home islands of Japan in strategic locations called Island Hopping. Kamikaze pilots were used by the Japanese to make suicide attacks on ships. An important role was also played at home by the Coast Guard which defended American waters. Mr. Curtis served on the Coast Guard for much of his life and spoke to us about his duties and services.
The war was the 2nd deadliest war in American history with around 400,000 Americans losing their lives. While the country was left with huge debt, the US suffered little compared to others. The US came out of the war as a military superpower and leader of world affairs. The GI Bill, or the serviceman's readjustment act helped veterans adjust to a peacetime economy. Many took advantage of the opportunity to attend college, others took low interest loans to start businesses and farms, promoting economic expansion. The baby boom followed after, with suburban growth and the rise of the sun belt. Truman became president after Roosevelt died, and continued his New Deal policies.