Wednesday, March 10, 2010
U.S. Involvement in WWII
When World War II broke out in Europe, the United States made every attempt to stay as isolated and neutral as possible. However, some historians feel that the America's lack of involvement in the European affairs allowed the Axis Powers to gain so much control. Do you agree or disagree? If you agree, at what point do you think the U.S. should have interfered?
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I think it was the right decision for the US to get involved in the war because it was beneficial for more than one reason. First, the US helped regain stability in Europe after getting involved in the war. Second, by the US abandoning their isolationism and becoming involved with the war, it allowed for the Great Depression to end and the US to become powerful once again, and therefore could help regulate European affairs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kirsten how it was the right move to enter in this war. First of all, no one ever really wants to enter into war and put their people through that, but it is sometimes necessary. America was in part responsible for leaving Europe so unstable by not signing the Treaty of Versailles after WWI. All throughout history, there have been tensions in Europe and the countries have always been at ends, especially when they are in such close proximity. Us Americans do not necessarily understand what it is like to live on the border of say three different countries who all are on different sides, and that I think may be a reason that America was willing to lend a hand to the Allied powers. Also, by this time, America was on its way to becoming a world power, if not already there, so I think they were a huge contribution to the Allies. Good point Kristen about the war geting America out of the Depression in a way too with the increase in jobs so people coild 1.) enlist, and 2.) there were jobs provided for people at home to work in factories and the like to create war materials.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kristen and Erin about how the correct move was for America to to enter the war. If it wasn't for the US stepping in, Europe might have been at war for many years after it ended. Stability was regained when the United States interfered. I would say a major cause for the United States entering the war, was the bombardment of Pearl Harbor. Such an attack is a definite declaration of war. The US was just retaliating against Japan. Joining the Allies was a good decision on the United States part.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it America was involved in previous European and Asian affairs it was smart of FDR to wait until after Pearl Harbor. Had he jumped right into the war he could have created further controversies with the tense European countries. It could have also caused problems regarding trade. If countries discontinued trading with America it could have further hindered the struggling economy.
ReplyDeleteI think America shoud have entered a lot earlier than it did. It entered towards the second half of the war after Hitler had gained most of Europe. Had America stepped in right away, they would have had the help of Britain, France, Poland, and possibly Russia. With all these major powers, and several other small countries, Germany, Italy, and Japan could have been defeated. Instead America waited until Pearl Harbor occured, and HItler had destroyed Austria, Poland, Britain, and France.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Pear harbor was an act of desperation to get America in the war. Like Max said, Nazi Germany had already taken over a lot of Europe and expected America to intervene earlier than it day. Pearl Harbor could hvae been a decision that was made that was not originally on the plan because it seemed America would not enter unless it was physically attacked. Thats not to say America was not helping. Wartime production rose before the troops entered and aided the Axis in that way before actually sending soldiers over.
ReplyDeleteAs we talked about the causes of World War II in class, appeasement was mentioned. Was the U.S. part of what allowed Germany to get so big? Also, a lot of you are mentioning how wartime production rose. Do you think that the U.S. had motives behind aiding Great Britain other than to help them overcome Hitler?
ReplyDeleteI think America was apart of letting Germany become so big. The allies were allowing Germany to take more countries, hoping that eventually he would stop and be satified with his conquests. He would not have been satisfied until he controlled everyone and all the Jews were eliminated. I'm not sure if the United States had other motives behind helping Britain, it's nice to just think they helped to stop Hitler.
ReplyDeleteIf America had joined at the beginning of the war, the war may not have gotten as bad, which would have been good, but Europe also could have seen America as interfering. Since America joined so late though, the war got much worse and America could have helped prevent that. And America probably saw the allies as a good way to make money and help indirectly, so they stayed out of the fighting a little, but still aided the allies.
ReplyDeleteIf you think that the U.S. somewhat allowed Germany to get so big, when do you think would have been the best time to step in?
ReplyDeleteIf the US did not get involved after Pearl Harbor and instead got involved earlier, they should have gotten involved after Hitler began taking countries without paying the consequences. If the US had gotten involved then, Hitler might not have been able to gain as much power.
ReplyDeleteI believe the US was justified in wanting to stay neutral in the war. Getting involved in war is a very large risk in many aspects. Before Pearl Harbor was bombed America did not have any reason to get involved in the war. They were able to help the allied forces, but what if they had lost? America would have been fighting someone else's battle just to be crushed in the end. This could result in massive debt for America. The earlier America joined, the more America lives that could have been taken. Until America was personally attacked, the risk was not worth the reward.
ReplyDeleteI think America was letting Germany get so big because they were doing just what it says, appeasing Germany's power hungry motives. A lot of Americans thought that if Germany expanded into countries, it was not a big deal. Countries grow and expand, and get conquered all the time in Europe, and to interfere would be like poking their nose into other countries' business. They thought that if Germany conquered a few countries, then they would feel better and soon stop. Research shows some Americans also believed that if Germany went too far, eventually a country would defeat them because they were weak from WWI. Others thought that Germany would end up like the ancient Roman Empire, expanding to ridiculous proportions then becoming too large to handle and crumbling.
ReplyDeleteDuring Hitler's rise, America was dealing with its own probelms. The Depression was at its strongest in 1933 and 1934 so America was not focused on the dealings of the countries across the Atlantic. However, I think that America involving itself in WWI, being the first time America was ever a part of an international war, gave it status as a country that was fair game in an international war.
ReplyDeleteI think that Erin makes a good point about America still being in the Depression during the begginning of WWII. Had they not been in a depression, they might have entered earlier. But similar to 9/11, it might take a huge catastrophe to make Americans realize war sometimes is necessary. IN the case of WWII, Pearl Harbor was "needed."
ReplyDeleteJenna makes a good point that war leads to debt. America was already very poor and debt could have led them into a further economic crisis. However, war allowed them to make money through war time production. Holding off on the war was a good idea, as Sophie said, because America is farther away. We are not over in Europe and do not know exactly what is happening over there. Once Australia and Egypt got involved it was a World war and it was not like we were putting ourselves where we didn't belong we needed to help stop Hitler.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Meghan said, that we were really far away in this war, and there wasn't a lot we could do. We had to go over there to stop hitler, but before that we didn't have a large part in interfering with Europe's business.
ReplyDeleteI think if America had gotten involved earlier, it should have been when the first reports of the Holocaust were made. I feel like before Pearl Harbor, FDR was itching to go to war, just kind of waiting and listening, but he could have gotten involved earlier, at least with the other allied leaders. Maybe when America entered with troops was understandable because they were directly attacked, but FDR could have discussed the problem sooner.
ReplyDeleteYou could say that America allowed Germany to grow, but I still believe that America had the right to wait. Sophie and Meghan make a good point that America was far away from war. It would be hard for America to gage what the war would bring for them when they aren't surrounded by battle. Also, like we talked about in class, some countries that weren't near the concentration camps didn't believe the accounts that were taken on the holocaust. America may not have realized the extent of Hitler's rein and the importance of time.
ReplyDeleteIf America had how abd the genocide was I think that they would have joined immedeatly. It was smart for America to wait because it did not involve them. America should not engauge in any wars unless it is neccessary because it can cause future problems and disputes.
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