Unit V: US Participation in WWII and Role in WWII

Perspectives of US Participation in WWII

After the WWI, America, even as the other nations experienced unrest and conflicts with each

other, America maintained a policy of isolationism which also implied neutrality. This implied

that America would not take part, indulge or influence the turn of conflicts in other nations as

long as they did not touch on Americans. However, as Germany and her allies increasingly

asserted their expansionary measures through attacks on other European nations and Japan

attacking the American fleet at Pearl Harbor. This touched on Americans and there was need to

discard the isolationism policy. It would thus be concluded that America`s involvement in the

WWII was basically to safeguard its interests against the enemy forces that were slowly

encroaching and endangering American lives. However, the participation of the US in the WWII

came at a cost; there were many effects of these, ranging from political, social and economic

realms. On the political front, America joined hands with the Great Britain and the Soviet Union.

Within the US, there were differing opinions on the involvement of US in the war; part of the

population supported that the policy of neutrality and isolationism remain upheld while the

others saw the essence of the involvement in the war. This caused an internal political divide on

those who supported the move by the president. On the economic realm, America devoted

resources to equipping and enhancing its military might. This implied less allocation of the

available resources to other essential sectors of the economy. As the US joined the WWII, the

enemy nations automatically cut all trading ties that previously existed. This hurt the export trade

which was now only limited to the allied or neutral nations. The social aspect was also greatly

affected as the number of immigrants from the war-torn nations moved to America; that was

perceived as a safer haven at the time. The high number of deaths for both the military men and

the civilians as a result of the war had a visible social pressure in the US.
Unit V: US Participation in WWII and Role in WWII

US Entry and Role in the WWII

The US had a crucial role in the WWII. The Axis was fast overpowering Britain and its allies

through its expansion after influencing more states. This signified a high risk of the Axis

acquiring superpower position. Much as the US maintained a neutrality and isolationism policy,

the attack on its resources by Germany implied that America was not safe in the neutrality state.

America had enormous resources and military might and its impact on the WWII was

substantial. The Allies relied so much on the US military resources to combat enemy attacks.

The US increased its military budget and supplied Britain, Soviet Union and China military

resources in support against the Axis. However, the US involvement in the WWII was

undertaken at the expense of the American citizens and the US economy at large. The US

government raised taxes to ensure that there were enough resources to produce and maintain

adequate military resources. There were also additional social pressures within America as the

American citizens with origins in the Axis nations were stripped off their citizenship rights. They

were also treated with contempt as the fear of them spying the American plans on behalf of their

countries was eminent. As America still commanded an advantage and superiority position,

economically and politically; its involvement in the WWII had great significance. The Allies

acquired much support from the US and this also influenced other nations reactions towards the

WWII. Most powerful nations previously in good relations with the US joined the Allies while

fewer nations joined the Axis. The choice to enter the WWII was greatly fueled by the US

government`s commitment to protect its citizens and the American resources from any intrusion

or harm by an enemy. The Japanese attack on the Pearl Harbor; that contained US resources

implied that the Axis had taken their war to the Americans. America took action and joining

Britain, Soviet Union and the other Allied nations in the war against the Axis was inevitable.