How America was Snagged into World War II
The national opinion of war had drastically changed after America first experienced the severe losses of modern war in World War I. Consequently, many Americans developed an attitude of isolationism. Legislation such as the Neutrality Act and the Good Neighbor Policy reflected this isolationism. However, many overseas changes were taking place that would place American isolationism in jeopardy.
In the Pacific basin, Japan became dangerously expansionist; they were even able to occupy the Chinese province of Manchuria. Similarly, Benito Mussolini rose to power in Italy and conquered Ethiopia with no response from the League of Nations. The most dramatic example of overseas aggression is Germany.
Adolph Hitler strategically rose to power and began his quest for world domination by annexing Austria. Part of Czechoslovakia soon followed, but France and Britain only responded with appeasement, a policy they had recently developed. Unfortunately, this only served to persuade Hitler that his conquest would go unchallenged. His next move was to sign a Nonaggression Pact with the Soviet Union. When Germany then invaded Poland, England and France finally responded with declarations of war, thus marking the official start of World War II.
With these events occurring throughout Europe, America began to question its isolationism. The Neutrality Act was amended with the Lend-Lease Act, which allowed America to loan war materials to Allies; German attacks on American ships ensued. Furthermore, Roosevelt began gradually converted the American opinion to sympathy for the Allies and the economy to wartime production. The final act that brought America into the world was Japan retaliated against American trade embargos by launching a massive aerial assault on Pearl Harbor.
To finance a war of such epic proportions, congress began by enacting the War Powers Act, expanding Executive powers substantially. Mobilization spread across the country, resulting in an expansion of the federal budget-as well as debt-in addition to a major increase in civilians on government payrolls. The War Production Board oversaw most aspects of civilian participation in the war, from awarding defense contracts to converting industry to military production. It was this conversion that pulled America out of the Great Depression.
Wartime mobilization also resulted in the largest fighting force America has ever witnessed, reaching over 15 million by the end of the war. Meanwhile, many women took over jobs that men had occupied before leaving to fight. During the war, unions adopted a “no strike” policy and the National War Labor Board controlled most aspects of labor, from wages to working conditions.
In Washington, priorities were changing. Roosevelt backed away from many New Deal programs due to mobilization. Furthermore, he successfully ran for an unprecedented fourth term in office. Also, legislation was passed that benefited blacks, women, and especially war veterans.
While the war did not physically affect Americans significantly, it was clearly reflected in American life. Americans did experience some shortages and hardships, but the bulk of the damage was in Europe. Some citizens volunteered their services by collecting scrap metal and newspapers as well as by working on rationing boards. In popular culture, films became overwhelmingly popular. They focused on the evils of fascism, military heroics, and other types of propaganda.
The only people-group in America that experienced severe hardship were those of Japanese descent. Many Americans were fearful of sabotage by these people and this concern led to the War Relocation Authority. This organization collected and moved Japanese-Americans to internment camps for the remainder of the war with little or no opposition from non-Japanese citizens.
For the first six months of World War II, the Allies experienced many losses in Europe as well as in the Pacific. However, when they crossed the English Channel, the tide turned and the Germans began losing ground. Paris was liberated by August of 1944 and through the winter the Allies pushed through Germany. The Germans surrendered early in May, 1945.
In the Pacific, the war was fought with the Navy. Through several decisive battles such as the Battle of the Coral Sea and especially the Battle at Midway, America halted the Japanese offense. By the middle of 1945, the remainder of the Japanese military had receded to their home islands. An invasion of these islands would result in a catastrophic loss of life, since a Japanese surrender was highly unlikely. President Truman ordered planes to drop two atomic bombs on Japan, effectively ending the war.
After the war, Germany was divided into four quadrants to be controlled by the Allies. The Soviet Union was granted many satellite states to protect its borders. Most importantly, though, was that America’s power in overseas affairs was firmly cemented.
“Chronology USA World War II,” http://www.datesofhistory.com “Naval Operations in the Pacific from March 1944 to October 1945” Admiral Earnest J. King “World War II” http://www.u-s-history.com
