Americans believed that the Second World War was a legitimate war. The war provided Americans with an opportunity to take control of the world and stamp authority in regions that belonged to other world powers.
After the war, veterans claimed that Americans had enough reasons to join it. It is clear that there was a genuine reason for American soldiers to participate in the Second World War. Some states set a mission to conquer other nations and impose oppressive laws. America had to save the world by sending its troops to restore democracy.
The war transformed the American society in a number of ways. This transformation affected all aspects of life. These changes had both positive and negative impacts. The war caused psychological traumas and persistent mental problems to various Americans. Single families were in the rise because household heads were killed in the war.
Despite of all these problems, Americans endured the effects of the war. This shows that the war was a genuine because every American was willing to sacrifice. Very many nations did not withstand the impacts of the war because they ended up disintegrating. Such states include Germany, which disintegrated into East and West Germany. Americans lost their lives for a genuine reason.
Veterans and survivors returned home with distressing memories and psychological problems. However, there was fear because African-Americans did not achieve their objectives. Blacks thought that the war would liberate them from the house of bondage. They had hoped that white masters would appreciate their efforts in the war.
Asked whether it was a legitimate war, many veterans observed that it was indeed an superb war. Economically, Americans benefited because the war gave them a chance to supply weapons and foodstuff to other parts of the world. The war provided women with an opportunity to eliminate discrimination. However, the law never allowed women to participate as combatants.
Women seized an opportunity to serve in the military industries. This boosted their economic abilities because they could utilize the salaries to expand their businesses. However, allowing women to work in industries had nothing to do with political idealism. The end of the war presented new challenges to Americans. For instance, the Second World War generated conflicts that further led to the Cold War.
The Cold War strengthened the American spirit because policy makers had come up with policies to counter communism. The Second World War united Americans because people fought with passion regardless of racial backgrounds. The themes of patriotism and victory were strengthened as well. In fact, the themes are honored in society. These values became dominant and were upheld even during the Vietnam War. Anticommunism was part of the American ideals, which reinforced the military industry.
The Second World War was different from the First World War in a number of ways. The role of America in the First World War was peripheral as opposed to the Second World War whereby America took a central role. The artillery used in the Second World War was superior to the ones used in the First World War. This was because of continued technological advancements.
Politically, it appeared that Americans appreciated their role in the First World War. However, there were disagreements in the senate before America engaged in the Second World War. The effects of the Second World War were positive to Americans as opposed to the effects of the First World War, which were destructive. One of the benefits of the Second World War was that America emerged the world super power.
This paper examines experiences and impacts of the World War II. Second world war was a moment when United States and there allies like China, Soviet Union, United Kingdom and France battle against Japan, Germany and Italy. Actually, this paper is significant to the social and historical context in human progress.
Indeed, what contributed to this mess was the fact that Adolf Hitler wanted to unite Germans to dominate other races in the world. “In order attain such policy, Hitler and Nazi party opposes the Treaty of Versailles. In response, United States and other allies reacted against Germany’s intention to oppose treaty of Versailles” (Johnson 187).
Johnson (2001) asserted that:
Other several issues that contributed to World War II were bitterness, nationalistic tautness and unresolved cases that aroused from the First World War. Moreover, the causes of the Second World War were led by intrusion of Germany to Poland and infringement of Japan in China. Such aggressions were decision reached by both Japanese authority and Nazi regime of Germany led to the Second World War (193).
Roosevelt Franklin was the American president during that world war experience and economic downfall in America. Indeed, President Roosevelt Franklin worked with other allies to battle against Japan and Germany during World War II (Johnson, 194).
In 1939, President Roosevelt Franklin provided both financial and diplomatic collaboration to United Kingdom and China as a joint effort to defeat Japan and Germany. For sure, President Roosevelt remained neutral but ensured to promote democracy in United States while working with allies to defeat their enemy.
Indeed, together with allies, President Roosevelt battle against Nazi party of Germany. In fact, it was a moment after Japanese invaded Pearl Harbor in 1941, when United Kingdom and America battled aggressively against Germany and Japan (Johnson 195). Furthermore, President Roosevelt supervised American economy to contribute aides that ensured defeat against intention of Japan and Germany.
America organized active military and effective war strategy in inventing the initial atom bombs that led to defeat of Japan and Germany. Indeed, President Roosevelt was determined to embrace peace and negotiation; he formed effective strategies to form alliance with other nations as a way to defeat mischievous deeds of Italy, Japan and Germany.
In Germany, holocaust happened when Jews community was persecuted and killed by the Nazi party of Germany. For sure, according to Johnson, holocaust was a term that meant sacrifice when Jews were sacrificed and persecuted by the Nazi party (193). Johnson (2001) explained that:
The Nazi party, who came into power through support from Adolf Hitler, perceived that Germans were superior to other communities. Indeed, the Nazi party sacrificed other inferior communities like Jews and gypsies. In fact, other communities were condemned on ideological and political factors such as socialists and communists (191).
During the World War II, aggression of Adolf Hitler and Nazi party led to persecution of Jews who lived in Germany. This was due to the fact that Nazi party felt that Jews community was a threat in their nation.
Moreover, the Germans continued to condemn many other people when Nazi tyranny developed in entire Europe. For example, “the Germans persecuted Soviet and Polish citizens for slavery” (Johnson 194). Furthermore, the Nazi party condemned homosexuals who did not act according to expected social norms.
Johnson reflected that the Nazi regime, also, persecuted religious repels (Jehovah’s Witness) and political dissidents; like, trade unionists, socialists and communists (196). In fact, several condemned people died because of human abuse and detention. Nazi regime formed slavery and detention camps to incarcerate the Jews and other dissident groups. The World War II was contributed by hostility of the Nazi party and Japanese intrusion against China.
Works Cited
Johnson, Michael, P. Reading the American Past: Selected Historical Documents. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2001. Print.
The two-volume compilation by Jonson Michael offers a varied collection of voices from the country’s past. Documents 25-1 and 25-3 provide important information regarding the position of the US in the Second World War. The articles accentuate significant issues as regards to social, political, and economic themes of the US during the Second World War.
In article 25-1, Johnson claims that the US was forced to join the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Consequently, Germany declared war on the US after four days. The Japanese officials had been taking American officials on a ride by claiming that there was no need of diplomatic relations between the two states. After analysis, it was discovered that the Japanese had planned the attack even before tricking Americans to believe that they were not willing to attack American residents.
The head of state, Roosevelt, expressed his disappointments by claiming that the attack would always remain in the American faces. Document 25-3 summarizes some of the tribulations that the Jews experienced under Hitler. The Nazi anti-Semitism was felt in the American public. The Nazi regime had persecuted many Jews since 1930s according to Varian Fry.
The articles present a clear understanding of what was happening at the time America was attacked by the Japanese. According to article 25-1, the attack on the Pearl Harbor was one of the reasons that forced the US to join the war. The American constitution stipulates that the congress should approve the budget to provide the government with funds to respond to external aggression.
The head of state has powers to declare war as per the prerogative powers granted to him or her by the law. This is according to the John Locke’s theory of emergency powers. Roosevelt had to declare war in order to safeguard the integrity and sovereignty of the American people.
Japan could have utilized the chance to interfere with American activities in case the president decided to keep quiet. Furthermore, the US could have lost its position in the international system if it had not responded militarily. The articles explain the interests of any sovereign state in the international system. In the international system, states exist according to the Hobbestian state of nature. In the state of nature, human beings are brutal and nasty.
There is no Leviathan in the international system that is charged with the responsibility of ensuring peace. Germany under Hitler advocated for atrocities in order to achieve state interests. Japan decided to attack the US to achieve its national interests that is, greatness. The US on the other hand could not sit back and watch Japan intimidate its citizens. It had to act immediately to restore its glory. The articles can therefore be applied to understand the position of the US during the Second World War.
Conversely, article 25-1 suggests that the US attacked Japan mainly because of the Pearl Harbor attack. This is not true since there were other underlying issues that encouraged the US to assault Japan. The main issue was related to ideological difference. Article 25-1 claims that Germany declared war on the US as one way of showing solidarity to its allies. The truth is that Germany was not happy with the way the US related with Britain and France.
The US had granted $14,281 to European powers, including Britain and France. Furthermore, President Roosevelt had declared that the US had to attack German ship seen in the eastern Atlantic. Technically, the US had already entered the Atlantic War. As regards to article 25-1, the US could have attacked Japan or any other communist state as one way of showing military and technological strength. The US was against communist ideologies propagated by Japan and its allies.
Japanese attack to the Pearl Harbor made the USA government fight back. This consequently led to the Second World War. President Roosevelt criticized the attack the following day promising to protect his people. The USA was deliberately pout under attack by air forces and naval of the empire of Japan.”
The Speech was enlisting to the Americans to support him in that declared war” As commander, in chief of the army and navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for self defense”. The attack mainly left the navy and military unstable.
American history during world war two
The Nazi under the leadership of Hitler is ready to kill all the Jews as witnessed in the atrocities against them. European countries especially America is ready to use its wealth and strong army to retreat. This strong deposit of wealth and material helps the citizens to remain calm since they have trust in their security.
A journalist report reveals the Massacres of the Jews led by the one anti-Semitism Hitler. Variant Fry reports the increasing numbers of the Nazis in Germany who did no other than to persecute the Jews. A social journalist helped the Jews escape from France. This shows how he sympathizes with the Jews. The anti-Hitler joined hands to destroy this movement by the Nazis.
It is believed, that the white European would not join in atrocities aimed at destroying other people’s lives. People describe them as heirs of the humanist tradition making it impossible for them to do anything dirty. The US government had confidence in their defense that they even ignored the threats coming from the Nazis. The result of this was a massacre that would be prevented earlier.
The nuns were raped, forced prostitution in Belgium and many more atrocities due to the ignorance. This lead to change of mind since the Nazis had taken power. Everywhere the Jews were dealt with; from cafes to buses where their blood was flowing. A song was even composed. The same people in the 20th century would never allow such barbarism to take place in their view.
The Nazis did not respect the holy places either and social ones too. This anti-social and unacceptable behavior even by the culture left over two million European Jews dead and over five million under Nazis control. They were starved, deported, poisoned, burned and machine gunned. The richness in material by the Nazis enabled them to execute these atrocities comfortably. This shows how richness in the material can be destructive to the social life even to the historical context.
President Roosevelt was advised to speak out against the ordeal, Catholic Church to excommunicate those in the barbaric acts, US to offer asylum and donate food to the Jews being starved by the Nazis. Richness in material possession can also be of considerable importance as demonstrated by USA.
The USA also used propaganda in their skepticism to capture the attention of the citizens that what they heard was not the truth. The richness in material possession had the citizens believe in demonstrating the power of resources. This demonstrates the high significance that materials fit into social and historical context.
Conclusion
The Second World War left indelible marks in the hearts and memory of the people of the time. Lack of love for one another, life and greed for power and control led to the war. Hitler demonstrates and represents the people without value for life. The Second World War was, therefore, as a result of personal interests.
Works Cited
MICHAEL, JOHNSON. Reading the American past. Selected Historical Documents. 1865. Print.
Many events are hidden beyond two particular documents, President Franklin Roosevelt’s Speech to Congress on December 8, 1941 called the Declaration of War of Japan and journalist report on Nazi massacres of Jews. Being devoted the period of the World War II, these two events are closely connected and have significant value for the history of the USA even though they seem to be devoted to various events from the first sight.
The declaration of war of Japan led to the declaration of war of all Japan’s allies, Germany and Italy on the United States and the country had nothing to do but to declare the war in return. All the further events including the Nazi massacres of Jews on the territory of the USA connected to the war were the outcomes of that declaration.
The first document under consideration is the President Franklin Roosevelt’s Speech to Congress on December 8, 1941 called the Declaration of War of Japan. The main idea of this document is the relationships between Japan and the USA and the reasons for the war declaration. The importance of this speech is in the statement of the reasons of the war, the development of the USA before its intrusion in the war and the betrayal of Japan which attacked the USA without any visible aggression.
The document just states the position of the ISA, its desire but inability to remain isolated from the war events. The most striking phrase in the speech is the first paragraph where Franklin Roosevelt said the following “Yesterday, December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan” (Johnson 187).
The infamy of the USA is explained by the inability of such great country to protect themselves. It showed how unprepared the USA was to the war as being captured by unawares, they could not react. The speech was extremely important in the historic content of the USA as the government recognized their mistakes.
The second considered document is the journalist report on Nazi massacres of Jews. The importance of this document is not in the facts of the horrible aspects of the war as it is possible to read about them in many different sources, the document is crucial for the desire of the USA to make the information silent or the lack of desire to do anything to protect Jews. The journalist is shocked with the actions which were done and the inability of the soldiers to protect their citizens.
Reading the reports about violence it becomes obvious why the modern world is that cruel, why the police forces are unable to maintain discipline, they just cannot control the aggression, even though they have all the means for this. Moreover, trying to hide the information about the Nazi massacres of Jews during the World War II the government does not give an opportunity to battle for their rights for those who suffered from those events.
The document is concluded with the words which sum up the whole discussion and point at the difficulties the USA is to face, “the little country of Switzerland will contribute more to the cause of humanity than the great and wealthy United States, its loud declamations about the rights of the people and the defense of liberty notwithstanding” (Johnson 196). Thus, the USA can do a lot but due to the politics of information protection they do nothing.
Works Cited
Johnson, Michael. Reading the American past: Selected historical documents: Volume II: From 1865. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2008. Print.
World War Two had huge impact on the roles and participation of women in western societies. Women were seen as home-makers and nurturers before the war and were discouraged to work. Married women remained at home to perform traditional duties as wives and mothers.
These beliefs affected their role in the society and national involvement, such as decision-making where they were left out. Men took all the employment opportunities and only unmarried women were allowed to work on condition that they will leave the work immediately after getting married.
Shortage of workers in production industries and participation of men in the war led to the increase of women in labor force. The government requested women to take part in the workforce and frequently reminded them that their sons, husbands, and brothers were in great danger due to the shortage of supplies needed to fight their enemies.
They used several slogans and misinformation to motivate and urge women to participate in protecting their country. The strategy of ‘Rosie the Riveter’ worked successfully in bringing women to take jobs1. Employers and other people believed that their jobs were temporary and should only be assigned specific low paid jobs.
After the war, most women continued working in their jobs regardless of the opposition from their men. People considered that they should leave their jobs and resume their traditional duties at home. However, employers appreciated their efforts, but they set a lower pay for women compared with men with the same or comparable jobs.
The efforts of women and their involvement in World War Two had a great influence on the future of women in societies. Modern women were born through the participation and success of women during the war. Inequality and discrimination are fading and women have been considered in most opportunities at work.
This paper discusses the roles of women before, during, and after the war. It focuses mostly on the beliefs and employment opportunities which were created during World War Two.
Women before World War Two
Women’s role
Before World War Two, it was normally accepted that the responsibilities of women were as home-makers and nurturers. Many believed in women’s destinity to get married, have children and to give over their lives to satisfy their husbands, children, and society. This was caused by traditional beliefs that women were unable to lead any other kind of life apart from what they are assigned by their traditions.
These beliefs affected most women all over the world, including western women. Those women who went against these beliefs were considered immoral and may be rejected in their community2.
Most people believed that if a woman chooses to look for employment while she is married or unmarried, she is considered careless, immoral, lax, and disrespectful to the community and to her husband and children. This was much felt in Australia and women were supposed to populate the nation for its economy safety and welfare.
Women were also considered the defenders of morality among children since they were mostly in contact with children and therefore they were the major influence on the future generations through acting as role model to the young people. Therefore, women were not provided the permissible status as protectors of their offspring.
The laws governing divorce and marriage supported men more than women, mostly relative to custody of children and possession, and men’s opinions were given first priority since women’s opinions were considered less important. These are the kinds of injustices that had motivated most women to participate in the first wave of feminism.
Employment
These cases of marriages allowed only unmarried women to look for employment and abandoned their jobs immediately after marrying. Upper class and middle class husbands were capable of supporting their wives and families and this support would lead them to take part in public life, in a sense, by humanitarian jobs. Some of these women became somewhat dynamic in the society through these ways, mainly during World War One3.
The reason they participated in World War Two was not only because they were not employed, but also because they were free from their household chores since they were capable of hiring domestic assistants and nannies.
Most unfortunate women had to take both domestic jobs and employment, which was very difficult just then since labor-saving tools like washing machine systems and appliances were just accessible to privileged women. Unfavorable working conditions also showed that big population of men died or injured in job-related disasters hence no longer provide for their families.
The burdens in which beliefs placed on western women were higher than that were placed on their men due to two main reasons. The first reason was that western women were paid minimal wage which was much below the men’s payment.
The second reason was that women were only allowed certain jobs. The approach that women were mainly nurturers affected the job they were permitted to assume4. Most western women engaged in domestic service, teaching, clerks, secretaries, nursing, and other ‘nurturing’ jobs.
Women during World War Two
The demand placed on some western countries, such as America, by the war machine was huge. The only means to win the war was to involve large population of women in employment since millions of men were at war and the rest of the male population was not enough to occupy the existing jobs.
America favored women to take part in the remaining jobs, such as building the planes, ships, and tanks, required to be used in the war. World War Two, unlike any other historic battle, was based on quality of production and the only solution was to engage American women in production and supply of war equipment5.
Therefore, western countries worked together with women’s organizations, media, and industry in an attempt to request them to take part in labor force. The main aim was to inform women that it was their loyal responsibility to participate in available occupations. However, devotion to the nation was not the only reason that the War Manpower Commission employed to bring women into the labor force.
The strategy for many employment programs employed the idea of raised economic success to draw women into the labor force. Actually, some notices went so far as to glamorize war jobs and spread the significance of women participating in other jobs rather than domestic work.
Due to the misinformation provided to them, American women, whether social contact, economic benefits, loyalty, or country’s needs forced them, participated in the labor force at higher rate than ever seen earlier. In mid 1944, when World War Two was at its climax, above 20 million women were recruited in America and this recorded the highest number of women than ever before 6.
Application for employment was quite easy than it was expected during this war period. While their men were fighting for human rights and equality overseas, western women were experiencing inequality and discrimination at their country.
Although women were turning out for employment at higher rates than before, several firms declined to recruit women, while other firms fixed unjustly low recruitment allocation for women. Other employers recruited women, but declined to provide them with jobs formerly occupied by men. These processes made women to feel confused about the way western countries wanted their women to conduct themselves.
Although several women were recruited, they were not essentially treated the same as their men in the same positions. In 1942, the National War Labor Board (NWLB) tried to eliminate some of the deep-rooted injustices and discrimination in the payments of women, when they chose to implement uniform pay policies7. However, these principles were randomly implemented because many employers had different views about women.
They reasoned that jobs that women were doing were easier. Women who participated in the workforce due to World War Two were usually called ‘production soldiers’ and their total hours in the week were 48 hours, although most women worked overtime. Sunday was the only holiday and most leaves and holidays were withdrawn. The employment opportunities for women during the war were seen as temporary opportunity which will be declined after the war.
Rosie the Riveter
While women were recruited in various positions formerly unavailable to them, the aviation industry experienced the highest increase in female employees. Above 300,000 female employees were recruited in the United States’ aircraft industry in 1943, which was around 60% of the labor force in the industry, matched up with only one percent before World War Two 8.
The munition industry as well greatly hired female employees, as represented by the United States authority’s ‘Rosie the Riveter’ misinformation movement. The country was experiencing shortage of workers since men were participating in the war and more war supplies were needed to be produced. They urged and motivated women to take part in the nation building by getting a job.
The misinformation provided by the authority used emotional request along with patriotism to win women’s attention. Women were frequently being reminded that their men, brothers, and sons were experiencing huge risks since they were facing shortage of supplies they required in the war.
They used slogans such as “Women the war needs you,” “We can do it,” and “Victory is in your Hands” to influence western women that their national needs were significant than their personal needs. Derived from small part on a daily life munitions employee, but mainly an untrue character, the effective and powerful ‘Rosie the Riveter’ became one of the most effective enrollment devices in the American history and the greatest iconic reflection of the employed women during the war.
The promotion of ‘Rosie the Riveter,’ as the principle women, was based on the ideas of loyalty, patriotism, competent, and pretty, and it becomes very famous in 19429. In the end, it became apparent that married women were required although nobody wanted women to work, particularly if they had young kids. It was difficult to hire married women and even though they wished to be employed, their husbands did not like them to.
While patriotism did pressure western women, eventually it was the economic motivations that drove them to work. While working, they discovered the non-material advantages of working, such as acquiring new skills, proving their skills and competent to their men, and participating in the public development10.
Women after World War Two
During World War Two, most women enjoyed working, but other women experienced some inconveniences brought about by employment. Most women decided to save the income they received during their employment period. Because of war period shortages and long working hours, there was no much expenses and women were reminded to purchase war gears. When women took part in their previous male jobs, the major issue was transforming attitudes of men against women11.
Male labor unions and employees were doubtful of women and most employers considered the desires and needs of women on the job as less important as needs of men. Therefore, they did consider them serious or provided much consideration.
This affected women in their workplaces since companies refused to promote women to powerful positions and leaving them out from the decision-making course. After the war, women wanted to be considered like their male employees and not provided particular consideration only because they were women and equality must be exercised.
More and more women were recruited in labor force after the war and attitudes of men towards women changed and employers honored them. The image of women as mother and wives was not changed after World War Two, although they willingly and heavily contributed to the safety of the country during the war.
Mainstream community recognized temporary changes caused by the war, but believed that they are disagreeable on a permanent perspective. Men and employers informed women that their best asset was their capability to look after their homes and that employed women would be unlucky while looking for husband.
After the war, cultural division of work based on gender reasserted and many women remained in their jobs, but companies maintained lower pay for women. Many women were jobless and were reminded to return to their families to perform their usual duties.
During World War Two, women’s image changed, but it appears as temporary and superficial, and the truth was that most women went back to their traditional domestic roles during the success of the 1950s. The contribution and decision followed by western women in the labor force during the war influenced their role and participation in this modern society. Society has changed and men’s attitudes towards women have greatly changed.
Women have been allocated job opportunities in their society and their voices are being heard just like men. Equality in our society has improved and women are provided with the roles which were traditionally assigned to men. The modern daughters and mothers are following the successful path initiated by their mothers and grandmothers.
Between 1945 and 1985, the population of women in workforce increased from 30 to 45 percent as women’s workforce involvement rate leaped from 32 to 55 percent12. These figures would show a transformation in attitudes and approaches that remained long after World War Two. Most people immediately after the war thought that women should abandon their jobs to allow the returning soldiers to assume their previous jobs.
By the end of the war, women were included completely into the national army, even though they were mainly restricted to mostly clerical duties, such as office messengers, secretaries, clerks, and typists, and were just 2% of the labor force13.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the war influenced the modern trend toward a raise in the women workforce and the war brought in married women to employment sector. However, more women were almost certainly to leave the labor force after the war due to inconveniences and pressures from their men to resume traditional roles as wives and mothers.
Most women before the war were considered nurturers and home-makers and should not take any position in the employment sector. Married women were not allowed to get jobs and unmarried women were supposed to abandon their jobs immediately after marrying to take the responsibility of mothers and wives. The war brought huge impact on women’s participation in the society. The government used various ways to motivate women to participate.
High rate of women turned out for jobs and this led women to understand the importance of getting a job. After the World War Two, men urged women to leave their jobs and resume their traditional jobs. Men attitudes and equality towards women have changed. The participation of women in World War Two and immediately after the war gave birth to their participation of women after and in the current society.
Women are participating in the development and employment in modern society. Although inequality and discrimination among women are experienced in modern society during recruitment and wages policies, these issues have changed positively matched up with the conditions before, during, and immediately after the war.
Bibliography
Goldin, Claudia. “The Role of World War II in the Rise of Women’s Employment.” The American Economic Review 81, no. 4 (2001): 741-756.
Hurt, Douglas. The Great Plains during World War II. New York, NY: U of Nebraska Press, 2008.
Sonya, Rose. “Sex, Citizenship, and the Nation in World War II Britain.” The American Historical Review 103, no. 4 (1998): 1147-1176.
Weatherford, Doris. American Women And World War II. New York, NY: Book Sales, 2009.
Footnotes
1 Claudia Gildon, “The Role of World War II in the Rise of Women’s Employment,” The American Economic Review 81, no. 4 (2001): 744.
2 Douglas Hurt, The Great Plains during World War II (New York, NY: U of Nebraska Press, 2008), 83.
3 Doris Weatherford, American Women And World War II (New York, NY: Book Sales, 2009), 34.
4 Rose Sonya, “Sex, Citizenship, and the Nation in World War II Britain,” The American Historical Review 103, no. 4 (1998): 1156.
5 Douglas Hurt, The Great Plains during World War II (New York, NY: U of Nebraska Press, 2008), 83.
6 Rose Sonya, “Sex, Citizenship, and the Nation in World War II Britain,” The American Historical Review 103, no. 4 (1998): 1156.
7 Claudia Gildon, “The Role of World War II in the Rise of Women’s Employment,” The American Economic Review 81, no. 4 (2001): 744.
8 Claudia Gildon, “The Role of World War II in the Rise of Women’s Employment,” The American Economic Review 81, no. 4 (2001): 744.
9 Doris Weatherford, American Women And World War II (New York, NY: Book Sales, 2009), 34.
10 Douglas Hurt, The Great Plains during World War II (New York, NY: U of Nebraska Press, 2008), 83.
11 Claudia Gildon, “The Role of World War II in the Rise of Women’s Employment,” The American Economic Review 81, no. 4 (2001): 744.
12 Doris Weatherford, American Women And World War II (New York, NY: Book Sales, 2009), 34.
13 Claudia Gildon, “The Role of World War II in the Rise of Women’s Employment,” The American Economic Review 81, no. 4 (2001): 744.
In 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt ascended to the presidency of the United States of America that at that time remained in the state of disastrous crisis. Facing the necessity to deal with the Great Depression, the economic downturn that started in 1929, I launched the New Deal program. It led to the restructuring of the American economy and the establishment of the new model of relations between business, labor force, and the state (Roark, Johnson, Cohen, Stage, & Hartmann, 2013). The decision to spend money on developing the system of infrastructure across the country provided the unemployed with the workplaces. Together with that, I reformed the banking system and stock exchange and made farmers feel comfortable in the economic environment. Moreover, I focused on the protection of civil rights and guaranteed that black and other racial minority employees received the same wages as the white ones and that women obtained the right to enter job positions (Ferguson, 1984).
Analysis
Concentrating on solving domestic problems and building a powerful state, I promised myself that I would focus on the internal affairs till the moment my country experienced total economic recovery, that is why I did not intervene in Latin America when Mexico took over American oil holdings. Nevertheless, I did not want to lead my motherland to isolation, so the United States recognized the Soviet Union in 1933 and announced Good Neighbor policy with Latin America in 1934. Still, it was complicated to stay neutral when Mussolini invaded Ethiopia in 1936 and Japan’s aggression upon China in 1937, but I remained unprovoked.
I managed to adhere to the policy of neutrality even when World War II outburst in Europe. Even though the United States provided Great Britain and France with arms, the decision to export military equipment to European countries was purely economic in its nature, as the country needed additional sources of income, so, it added to the growth of the gross domestic product. What is more, I came to a determination of strengthening military powers and defense capability as I observed the developments in international relations and the World War picking up the speed. I made this decision regardless of growing internal anti-arming propaganda assuring my nation that the United States would remain neutral as long as possible.
It was not until the 1941 Japan attack on Pearl Harbor that the United States armed forces joined the war (Roark et. al, 2013). Entering a war, on the one hand, had a profound social impact as more than 16 million people were forced to military service during the war. On the other, it helped completely overcome and neutralize the consequences of the Great Depression as the United States provided the Axis needs for armaments so that the American economy stepped into a new period of growth and prosperity. I hope that one day my country will become a victor in this war. As for now, the major industrial powers were destroyed by the military actions leaving us with the potential of becoming a monopoly in manufacturing essential products and an industrial giant. If it were for me, I would have never joined the war and saved the lives of millions of people who laid down their lives for the welfare of their country. But the decision was made for me, so the only option is to enjoy overcoming the Depression and make every possible effort to end the war.
References
Ferguson, T. (1984). From Normalcy to New Deal: Industrial structure, party competition, and American public policy in the Great Depression. International Organization, 38(1), 41-95.
Roark, J. L., Johnson, M. P., Cohen, P. C., Stage, S., & Hartmann, S. M. (2013). The American promise: A concise history, volume 2: From 1865 (5th ed.). New York, NY: Bedford-St. Martin’s.
World War II, deemed as the deadliest and most expensive war, began in 1939 when Germany attacked Poland. The United States became fully engaged in the war when Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor on December 1941. This engagement was soon followed by a massive mobilization exercise as millions of men and women were deployed abroad while a substantial number remained at home, supporting the war in every way possible.
Women, who had previously stayed at home as housewives or held non-military jobs, were employed in factories that specialized in manufacturing war equipment such as aircrafts, ammunition, and military uniform. The women were called in to replace men who had joined the armed forces.
Americans at home took part in rationing programs to fund the war, they also bought Liberty bonds to help raise money for the war. In summary, the war was a major event that helped shape our country’s history and its effects continue to be felt today.
Role of WWII in Shaping America’s History
Boost to the Economy
The entry of the United States into WWII was a major boost to the economy that was still reeling from the effects of the Great Depression of 1930. Just ten years prior to the war, many people were jobless, however, jobs were available for almost everyone during the war.
Reports mention that nearly 17 million job openings became available, and workers got the opportunity of clearing old debts, feeding their families, and saving for the future. Availability of job opportunities at home and abroad ensured that the US economy remained s strong as it was prior to the Great Depression, and has maintained that superiority to date.
Military Power
An important outcome of the WWII was that the US came out a stronger military power than before. During the war, civilian factories were transformed and began manufacturing artillery, machine guns, aircrafts, military clothing, and bullets.
Factories that manufacture civilian clothes previously were now manufacturing army uniforms, while those manufacturing iron-based products were converted to manufacture bullets and machine guns. Every sector of the economy contributed to the war in every way possible.
Consequently, America’s military technology surpassed those of European nations and this was evident when it manufactured the world’s first atomic bomb. As a result, the end of the war ushered America as the new world superpower, overtaking Russia.
A United Country
Coming out the war, America was a more united country. The effects of the Civil War (1861-1865) and slavery had not sunk down the hearts of many Americans, however, the WWII provided a platform in which all Americans: northerners, southerners, black, white and indigenous fought side by side to defeat a common enemy. Success depended on cooperation and unity among all Americans.
The war reduced racial tensions as President Roosevelt extended federal power into areas predominantly occupied by African Americans. These areas included the Jim Crow South. Americans viewed racial discrimination as a vice that squandered resources needed to win the war abroad.
President Roosevelt mentioned that a nation facing despotism should reinforce its “unity and morale by refuting at home the very theories which we are fighting abroad.” (Polenberg, 1982).
Reference
Polenberg, R. (1982). One Nation Divisible: Class, Race, and Ethnicity in the United States Since 1938, 1980. Journal of American Studies, 16: 127-128.
Fascism represents a kind of a political system whereby the state possesses total power. As such, every citizen is required to work for the country as well as the government. The head of state for such a state is a dictator or some other powerful individual who uses police force and strong army to maintain law and order. Fascism was first seen in Japan during the period in which it used to export most of her goods, mostly silk and luxury items (Tsutsui, 2009).
At the beginning of the great depression, luxuries were foregone and this left Japan incapable of fueling her factories. In order to put a stop to the depression, Japan had two choices to make; invading China for some more resources or closing down their factories. During this time the Japanese government was being ruled by Emperor Hirohito and his army referred to as ‘a diet’ that was slowly becoming fascists.
This permitted the military together with the factory proprietors to have great influences over the decisions of the country; thereby opting to invade China and Manchuria. It was at a later time that the Japan’s government began to closely conform to the Army Nationalistic objectives. Thence, as time went by, military fascism developed in japan (Tsutsui, 2009).
With control over the government and, essentially, the whole country, the army pushed Japan further and further into the pacific war and ultimately led to more war with the west. A number of other reasons contributed to this Japans military fascism and one such reason was thirst for power.
The Meiji restoration unleashed massive changes in Japan. This was a period of revolutionary modernization and as a motivation from these, came forth the desire for prestige, power and wealth as a way to redress the enforcement of unequal treaties placed upon them by the western powers during the past (Tsutsui, 2009).
Moreover, the Sino-Japanese War victory, gave Japan a first real bridgehead on the continent of Asia, forcing China to acknowledge the independence of Korea and giving up Taiwan and Liaotung peninsula (Tsutsui, 2009). However, Russia, Germany and France dissented that the intrusion of Japanese to Liaotung would stage a constant jeopardy to China thence, forced a deeply chagrined Japan to desolate the peninsula.
Furthermore, the Japanese exertions to incorporate their economy into a liberal global order became futile earlier on in the 1930’s when the economies of the west that were depressed placed a hindrance upon the Japanese trade so that they could guard against the markets of their colonies. The structure of international peace that was substantiated in the League of Nations was thought of by the Japanese to have favored the nations of the west who were controlling the resources of the world.
Moreover, the west had played in a hypocritical way when they barred Japanese out-migration via the anti-Asian in-migration laws of the 1920’s. These series of events caused the Japanese to deflect from democracy and indorse fascism and its extension to the japans empire (Tsutsui, 2009).
In conclusion, the slowly burning aggression of Japan was steered with frustrations with a world whose governance appeared inclined in preference of the west. The military fascism was a way of expressing the Japanese economic, power and policy dissatisfaction by the west, and it hence contributed in some ways to the rise of World War II. They charged their hardship upon the western countries and the incompetent government.
Most citizens of Japan likewise conceived that the government did almost nothing to help them, despite the fact that it stood for democracy. They therefore began to buy into what the Nationalistic patriotic societies were embracing- military strength, reconstruction and respect for autonomy. They started to join these patriotic societies and the army, consequently resulting to the rise of military fascism in pre-WWII Japan.
The memories of Japanese soldiers help people understand the gravity of war and how it affects lives of ordinary human beings. Their memories show what they felt at the time and how their actions affected their character. Japanese soldiers were indoctrinated initiated through violence because their government had a strong intent to conquer other nations by applying brute force.
Japanese recruits were forced to torture and maim their victims by their seniors to display their commitment and loyalty. This shows that many wars are waged to satisfy interests of a few selfish people in government. Torture, violence and murder are weapons of war which have been used in the past to make the oppressed populations submit to the wishes of their conquerors.
This is evident in the way Japanese recruits were prepared for their roles as soldiers. They decapitated, butchered and killed Chinese prisoners of war without any feelings of remorse, after being pushed by their seniors.1 This proves that some collective national goals can be used to harm other nations which are thought to be weak.
The massacres carried out by Japanese soldiers against Chinese prisoners of war were barbaric and traumatizing. Japan used advanced military equipment to carry out atrocities against her neighbors in Asia. This shows that a country with aggressive imperialistic policies is easily tempted to attack other nations which are weaker.
Japanese soldiers were affected psychologically after the conditioning process used by their seniors made them brutalize defenseless innocent civilians.2 This explains why they did not restrain themselves from attacking innocent civilians in China. They had been indoctrinated to believe that their actions would help their country become stronger and more powerful.
This justified their use of full scale violence against civilians of other countries. During that time, Japanese soldiers were heavily influenced by imperialistic attitudes which drove them to attack other nations.
Japanese soldiers knew what they were doing was wrong and this affected their conscience. However, military propaganda broadcasts on radio made them believe that their country was making good progress in the war. They believed they had the license to do whatever they wished against soldiers and citizens of states they had occupied. This made them become more aggressive.
They thought that by unleashing terror on defenseless prisoners of war and civilians, they were performing their patriotic duties. Japanese soldiers felt that victory in the war was going to make their country become more powerful.3 They knew that their country would have benefited heavily by exploiting natural resources of other states in the region, which were already vanquished.
Japanese soldiers thought they were highly respected by other Japanese civilians because of their willingness to defend their country. They were encouraged to use their authority to ensure citizens of conquered territories easily conformed to wishes of the Japanese government. Japanese soldiers knew they had to act strong to make citizens of conquered nations conquered nations more obedient to their Japanese masters.4
They made their prisoners perform difficult labor tasks in farms to produce food which helped sustain them in foreign lands. They failed to realize that they were being used by senior government officials to achieve their own interests.
Senior government officials were only interested in using state power to attack other neighboring countries which had a lot of natural resources. Japanese junior military officers had been manipulated to think that their participation in war would offer them positive rewards.
Bibliography
Berger, Thomas U. War, Guilt and World Politics After World War II. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
Cook, Haruko Taya and Theodore F. Cook. Japan At War: An Oral History. New York: The New Press, 1992.
Footnotes
1 Haruko Taya Cook & Theodore F. Cook, Japan At War: An Oral History (New York: The New Press, 1992), 41-42.
2 Ibid., 43-44.
3 Ibid., 47.
4 Thomas U, Berger, War, Guilt and World Politics After World War II (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012), 126-128.