America's Entry Into World War II example essay topic

Was World War II a Good War For America? One of the most important wars ever fought was World War II. In the midst, the Nazis were in control of most of Europe, the Soviet Union was causing more deaths than any other country, and Japan had taken over parts of China. The United States of America was stuck in the middle of all this. They had to deal with the Nazis and deciding when to join the war, meanwhile, Japan was breathing down their necks with attacks. What was America to do?

What would happen to America, and would this be a "good war" for them? I believe World War II was a"good war" for America because it made them a higher power like they are today. No direct cause greater than the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and other US territories can be found for America's entry into World War II, and all causes appear to be valid and just. The effects of this war on both the US and the world proved to far reaching, touching all aspects of life including attitude, society, culture, and security.

At the beginning of World War II, the United States remained neutral for as long as it could, as it did in World War I. It soon became obvious to the US that the war machines of Germany and Japan posed a threat to the United States. After the defeat of France and other European nations, Britain began asking for assistance from the U.S. America's hold-out eventually made them a higher power, but that is not the reason why they held out of the war. The need to assist Britain could be construed as America " sentry into the war, and for good reason. Germany was on a roll militarily. Germany had not attacked the USSR at this point and appeared capable of defeating England and setting its sights on the Americas. Soon, America would have the opportunity to support Britain in war, and become a powerful nation.

America knew then that it was not going to be easy, but they were unaware that this would turn into a "good war" as far as they " re concerned. After Germany attacked the USSR, the US extended the Lend-Lease deal to the Soviets. This showed America was committed to the Allied cause because the US was at odds with the USSR, and was coming down on its side anyway. There was definite justification for aiding the Soviets because they were under attack by an unprovoked enemy.

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, a US naval base in US territory, and the US responded by declaring war on both Japan and Germany. The US had an embargo against Japan because of their territorial advances threatening US territories in South-East Asia. The Japanese were bound to attack the US and the US knew it, but still did not attack or declare war on Japan until Japan had attacked the US. This shows that the proper chance to avoid war with Japan was given, and that the declaration of war against Japan was necessary.

Germany was known to be in alliance with Japan, and was at war with our allies. Germany was also sinking American ships in the Atlantic. This justifies the United States in its decision to declare war on Germany. America could see the positive effects this war could have on them at that point.

The war effected every part of American life. Economically, the nation was lifted out of the depression. During the war, full employment was reached, and there was not much on which to spend money. After the war, the US was in better physical shape than any other nation on Earth. All other industrialized nations had been bombed and attacked extensively, but the US was left virtually untouched. As a world power, the US was forever changed.

Never again would America play the role of the neutral nation. Emerging as the only nation with the power of the atom gave the US the leading role as a super power nation. From the end of the war until now and into the foreseeable future, the US was, is, and will be involved militarily and otherwise all around the world. Socially, World War II brought enlightenment to many people. Black servicemen and women got a taste of what is was like to be treated as equal to whites while stationed in the more colorblind European countries. When they returned home to the usual poor treatment from American whites, many began to fight racism and push for a more just America.

Women we recalled to work in the factories and elsewhere, only to be told to return home at the wars end. For some this was fine, but others liked working and wanted to affirm a woman's right to her place in the workplace if desired. The federal government gained many increases in power during the war including the direct deduction of wages from citizens payroll checks, and other powers it would never give up. The American people in general and politicians in particular gain a confidence and even a feeling of invincibility that would eventually lend the nation into several bad decisions including Korea and even Vietnam. Many nations were effected by World War II. Germany and Japan, two nations which were never considered world economic powers, would both become great economic nations with non-communist, non-aggressive governments.

The USSR, never a trusting nation, felt more threatened than ever. The attack by Germany showed to them that they would never be safe from outside aggression. Ever attack on Russia became stronger and stronger, and many actions by the US during the war pointed to the fact that America could not be trusted. These things resulted in the great Cold War between the East and the West the dominated world politics and threatened world peace for the next 50 years. Americas slow entry into the war showed restraint. The US could hardly have entered earlier because of the state of its military.

The year before its official entry into World War II it spent building up its military machine. Its effect clearly reached into the lives of every American, and changed the world forever. Evidence has shown that World War II was possibly the "best" thing that ever happened to them. The opportunity to help an ally and turn the war around, and to show how powerful they were by practically destroying a rather strong country across the Pacific was something that would change America's future forever.