How Did Ww2 Affect American Society?
How did World War II affect American Society? Kirsty Gourlay
On December 7th, 1941, Japanese fighter planes staged an attack on U.S naval and military forces based in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. In around just two hours, America suffered from approximately 3,435 casualties including 2,000 deaths. The shattering defeat cost the U.S, 8 battle ships and around 200 airplanes. The following day, President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. This was approved, and more than two years into the conflict, America had eventually fully committed to the war.
December of 1941, fundamentally altered the United States and its role globally. Pearl Harbour changed attitudes related to war involvement for many American’s. Patriotism soared like never before and socially, American society was affected in many ways. To begin with, U.S citizens had conflicting opinions and were very much divided on whether their country should get involved or stay out. Many took an increasingly hard line towards involvement as America had a natural desire to isolationism. However, President Roosevelt had begun building up defences in an attempt to prepare the country for war, long before America had officially entered it. Popular opinion at the time of conflict was narrowed down to two groups. The isolationists, whose aim was to keep the country out of war at almost any cost, and the interventionists who believed America should do everything in their power to support the Allies. After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, isolationists began to change their view, and this proved to be a big turning point. Another turning point in isolationism was associated with the Lend Lease Act, 1941. This allowed America to ‘sell, transfer title to, exchange, lend, lease or otherwise dispose of, to any such government, any defence article’. This act effectively put an end to America’s pretence of neutrality. Patriotism and nationalism in America rose to an all-time high, more so than ever after Pearl
On December 7th, 1941, Japanese fighter planes staged an attack on U.S naval and military forces based in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. In around just two hours, America suffered from approximately 3,435 casualties including 2,000 deaths. The shattering defeat cost the U.S, 8 battle ships and around 200 airplanes. The following day, President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. This was approved, and more than two years into the conflict, America had eventually fully committed to the war.
December of 1941, fundamentally altered the United States and its role globally. Pearl Harbour changed attitudes related to war involvement for many American’s. Patriotism soared like never before and socially, American society was affected in many ways. To begin with, U.S citizens had conflicting opinions and were very much divided on whether their country should get involved or stay out. Many took an increasingly hard line towards involvement as America had a natural desire to isolationism. However, President Roosevelt had begun building up defences in an attempt to prepare the country for war, long before America had officially entered it. Popular opinion at the time of conflict was narrowed down to two groups. The isolationists, whose aim was to keep the country out of war at almost any cost, and the interventionists who believed America should do everything in their power to support the Allies. After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, isolationists began to change their view, and this proved to be a big turning point. Another turning point in isolationism was associated with the Lend Lease Act, 1941. This allowed America to ‘sell, transfer title to, exchange, lend, lease or otherwise dispose of, to any such government, any defence article’. This act effectively put an end to America’s pretence of neutrality. Patriotism and nationalism in America rose to an all-time high, more so than ever after Pearl
Bibliography: Westport, Conn. Greenwood Press, 1996. [ 16 ]. Winkler, A (2000). Home Front U.S.A. p80-83 [ 17 ]. Winkler, A (2000). Home Front U.S.A. p53