United States In WWII And Cold War

United States in WWII

The United State’s first contribution to the war was the Lend Lease Act, which was a contribution to Great Britain, but that contribution was just with money until Japan decided to attack Pearl Harbor in 1941. And then the USA decided to attack Japan and join the the war. After joining the war the US attacked Europe through Normandy, France. This day was known as D-Day. After D-Day the United States caused disequilibrium in the war because the countries weren’t moving in the war.  And after a time the United States made held the Yalta Conference in which they declared peace. Winston Churchill, Franklin Delano and Stalin were present in the conference. Then in the Postdam Conference they looked for a way in which they could make peace, the conference took place in Berlin. Then Japan didn’t surrender after the ultimatum that was sent by USA, which said that if Japan didn’t surrender they would launch the atomic bombs. Japan didn’t surrender, so the USA launched the first Atomic Bomb in August 6 1945 in Hiroshima and because Japan didn’t surrender again they launched another one three days after the first one in August 9 1945. After this, Japan finally surrendered.
Another important thing that happenned was women fighting for equality since they got left with all of the men's jobs while they were away fighting the war in Europe and Asia. They were sucessfull and allowed to work jobs and carreers that were previously available only to men.

Here are some events that marked the participation of USA in the WWII:

December 7, 1941
Japan bombs Pearl Harbor.

December 8, 1941
The United States declares war on Japan, entering World War II. Japanese troops land in the Philippines, French Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia), and British Singapore. By April 1942, the Philippines, Indochina, and Singapore are under Japanese occupation.

December 11-13, 1941
Nazi Germany and its Axis partners declare war on the United States.

June 1942
British and U.S. navies halt the Japanese naval advance in the central Pacific at Midway.

August-November 1942
U.S. troops halt the Japanese island-hopping advance towards Australia at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

November 8, 1942
U.S. and British troops land at several points on the beaches of Algeria and Morocco in French North Africa. The failure of the Vichy French troops to defend against the invasion enables the Allies to move swiftly to the western border of Tunisia, and triggers the German occupation of southern France on November 11.

May 13, 1943
Axis forces in Tunisia surrender to the Allies, ending the North African campaign.

June 4, 1944
Allied troops liberate Rome. Within six weeks, Anglo-American bombers could hit targets in eastern Germany for the first time.

June 6, 1944
British and U.S. troops successfully land on the Normandy beaches of France, opening a “Second Front” against the Germans.

March 7, 1945
U.S. troops cross the Rhine River at Remagen.

May 7, 1945
Germany surrenders to the western Allies.

August 6, 1945
The United States drops an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

August 9, 1945
The United States drops another atomic bomb on Nagasaki.

September 2, 1945
Having agreed in principle to unconditional surrender on August 14, 1945, Japan formally surrenders, ending World War II.

 United States in WW II

The U.S. started out just sending supplies to its allies. They didn't actually start fighting until Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1944. Then they sent troops to Europe and Africa to fight the Nazis, and sent troops, ships, and planes to the Pacific to fight against. Same as WW1 the war would have been lost without the help of the U.S."

The United States of America entered the war on the 7th of December 1941. Although 2 years and 2 months after the other great powers and the British Empire, it was still played a major, greatly appreciated, role in the war effort.

The US Navy extended a safe zone over almost half the Atlantic ocean that enabled convoys from the US and Canada to be protected by joint Royal Navy and US Navy forces. This enabled the US to be at a state of "indirect" war with the Axis, at least at sea, while still maintaining it's neutral status.

It should be duly noted that at the end of the War, America had undoubtedly benefited the most. It had placed itself in a position, economically and military, to quickly take the place of the British Empire as one of the worlds super powers. (Note: technically and effectively, between the Great War and the Second World War, Britain was the only Super Power, with the Great Powers being the other main combats). Due to this, a lot of the history has been overshadows by, sometimes over glorified, US/Hollywood take of events.

Often forgotten is the involvement and great sacrifices of other allies, more specifically the Russians, British Commonwealth Citizens, Indian and Chinese. The British Empire and the Royal Navy was involved in all theaters of the war, with China and India taking the highest casulty numbers and gaining very significant victories that put demand on axis resources. Other combatants fought with just as much effort in their localized theaters of war. This further enabled other allies/forces to gain decisive victories.

Canada played a major role, especially relative to its size, and Luthiania withstood some of the highest casulties per head of population. Due to being quickly subdued the French Military, and indeed the French as a whole, are sometimes mocked as being weak and inclined to surrender, even today. This is an unfair and very biased opinion. The majority of people don't realize the might of the Nazi land forces at the outbreak of the War. It would not be wrong to suggest that no other army in the world would have been able to resist the Nazi invasion forces - mainly due to the huge numbers of infrantry, heavy armor, the "lighting War" method of invasion, the surprise invasion through the Ardens and last but not least, the immesly capable German strategy Generals and think tanks. One should only have to look at Frances involvement at sacrifices in the Great War to realize they are no "surrender monkeys".

All in all, to answer your question, the US did play a big and significant part in the WW2, especially in the later stages of the war. It could also, however, be argued that they were not the largest players. That would probably have to go to the Germans (on the Axis) and the combined forces of the British Empire (Canada, India, UK, Australia, African Colones etc). It would be arguable though, that without the US, the War would have been lost. But this is true with a number of Great Powers involved. The US dominance since, along with productions from Hollywood and computer games companies, could make you think otherwise and often results in some having a very warped and overly exaggerated view of the real extent of the US's involvement, with some Americans feeling they are owed some sort of debt - Any of the Victors could state this. It is not the US, British or anyone else today who are owed any sort of debt, but those brave men and women that played their part in BUYGONE generation that we owe our respect too. The US is held in high regard by it's allies for it's involvement, and should hold it's head up high and proudly for its sacrifices in the war.(Corporation)

USA Involvement In Cold War

The role of America at the end of World War II was where the origins of policing the world originate. America had been engaged in a very costly war in terms of dollars as well as lives. But, despite the expense the United States came out of World War II better than any other nation that was involved. This war was seen as the fight against Nazi Germany, and therefore resulted in a majority of the battles fought on German and Russian soil. Conversely, none of the fighting was done on American soil, and while the United States suffered in terms of casualties it was nothing compared to the loss Russia had endured. Because the war would not end until the Axis Powers fully surrendered to the Allied Powers, the United States was forced to use the first atomic warfare in history. The atom bomb would later serve as America's greatest possession. Stalin, the Premier of the Soviet Union had always distrusted the American and English intentions. Because of Stalin's aggression and attitude pertaining to Soviet influence on Europe, the postwar stance on Russia had turned into a standoff. This became the origin of the Cold War. The Cold War, seen as a battle between communism and capitalism, was "in reality a more complex struggle over a broad range of ideological, economic, and strategic issues." Over the next several years the United States would spend more money on military and defense than ever before. Several measures were taken to ensure that the same mistakes at the end of World War I would not be repeated. The first in a series of measures was a postwar conference involving President Truman and the Soviet Foreign Minister, V.M. Molokov, where Truman controlled the entire meeting and basically scolded the Soviet's for not honoring agreements on Poland. Truman "told the Russians just where the got off and generally bossed the whole meeting." This symbolized America's strong-arm stance against communism and signified the position we would hold throughout the Cold War. The next step in Truman's agenda was to work with Congress to pass the National Security Act of 1947, which was designed to strengthen defense operations. This act created a single Department of Defense, and created the Central Intelligence Agency, or CIA. These two new agencies acted as the first step in atomic warfare management. Continuing to act as police of the world and leader of capitalism, Truman drafted the Marshall Plan. The Marshall Plan, which complemented the Truman Doctrine, "was a program of large scale economic and military aid to Europe."  Considered by some, this was the most "innovative piece of foreign policy in American History. Where over the next four years the United States contributed over $12 billion to a highly successful recovery effort."  The Soviet Union stilled commanded a blockade on highway, rail, and river traffic to West Berlin. As a result, the United States responded by entering into a peacetime military alliance; this being the first time since the American Revolution. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) a project costing $1.3 billion, enabled the basing of all four United States Army divisions into Western Europe. Twelve nations agreed to sign this pact that stated "an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all." Consequently, a few months later, Stalin "lifted the blockade which had made the city a symbol of resistance to communism." Between the creation of NATO, the National Security Act and CIA, and the Marshall Plan, America was dictating their position with Russia and communism. These measures made it possible for Americans to become more comfortable with the Cold War. While all of these governmental policies were being put into action, Americans were settling back into the ideology of family and free enterprise. The post-war period became one of the most exciting in American history. With the rising economy and feeling of consumerism, Americans were rebounding from their efforts in World War II. Capitalism was on the rise and the "Apple Pie" portrait of middle class suburban families was shaping the country. America was now the wealthiest country in the world and Americans had "accumulated savings of $140 billion" in 1945. "Over the next two decades the gross national product more than tripled," signifying prosperity. Between 1945 and 1960, the gross national product would grow from $213 billion to more than $500 billion, while real income would rise 25 percent. Included in these figures was the percent of American families owning homes, which grew from 43 percent to over 60 percent in this same time period; this created the suburban explosion. This suburban lifestyle was intended to symbolize the superiority of capitalism over communism and imply that the American way of life would win the Cold War.” Americans were again beginning to see the capitalist society they fought for, and the confidence level of the country continued to rise throughout the 1960's. The people cannot create a great nation themselves; great leaders must direct them. Besides the three Presidents who led America throughout the end of World War II and through the Cold War, there were many influential voices that helped to shape the views of the public. Among these influential people was a man named George F. Kennan. He was a member of the United States embassy to the Soviet Union and author of the "long telegram" which was sent to the heads of state in Washington D.C. In his telegram, Kennan described the Soviets as insecure, inferior, and less advanced than Americans. "As Russia came into contact with the economically advanced West, fear of more competent, more powerful, more highly organized societies," was the general message Kennan was trying to get across. Because he saw the country from the inside Kennan also believed the United Sates should " pursue a policy of firm containment…at every point where the Soviets show signs of encroaching upon the interest of a peaceful and stable world."  This opinion and idea of the relationship between the United States and Russia should have been widely accepted by Americans. They backed this idea of aggressive behavior, rather than a passive approach to the Cold War. Conversely, postwar liberal such as Henry Wallace, "a Progressive Party leader, continued to seek cooperation with the Soviet Union and defended the participation of Communists in their organizations."  These ideals were quickly silenced. The American majority, being extremely anti-communist, felt relations with the Soviet Union should be harsh and firm. This period introduced American dominance in foreign policy. The ideals of personal freedom and opportunity were the driving forces behind Western philosophy throughout the Cold War. Not only were these principles showcased, they were set as the benchmark of equality for the human race.(Cornwell)

And now here is a tiemeline with some of the important events that marked the participation of USA in the Cold War.

1940s

·       1945: February 4-11-- Yalta Conference Cold War Begins

·       1945: August 6 -- United States first used atomic bomb in war

1950s

·       1954 -- CIA helps overthrow unfriendly regimes in Iran and Guatemala

·       1959: September -- Khrushchev visits United States; denied access to Disneyland

1960s

·       1960: May -- Soviet Union reveals that U.S. spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory

·       1960: November -- John F. Kennedy elected President

·       1961: July -- Kennedy requests 25% spending increase for military

·       1962: -- U.S. involvement in Vietnam increased

·       President Kennedy assassinated in Dallas, Texas

·       1965: April -- U.S. Marines sent to Dominican Republic to fight Communism

·       1965: July -- Announcement of dispatching of 150,000 U.S. troops to Vietnam

·       1969: July 20 -- Apollo 11 lands on the moon

1970s

·       1970: April -- President Nixon extends Vietnam War to Cambodia

·       1973: January -- Cease fire in Vietnam between North Vietnam and United States

·       1973: September -- United States helps overthrow Chile government

·     1974: August -- President Nixon resigns

1980s

·       1983: October -- U.S. troops overthrow regime in Grenada

1990s

·       1991: August -- End of Soviet Union Cold War Ends (Quest)

Bibliography

Cornwell, James. collegetermpapers.com. 1989. 15 April 2011 <http://www.collegetermpapers.com/TermPapers/American_History/AMERICAN_INVOLVEMENT_IN_THE_COLD_WAR.shtml>.

Corporation, Answers. answers.com. 2011. 14 April 2011 <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_U.S.A_involvement_in_World_War_2>.

Museum, United States Holocaust. ushmm.org. 14 April 2011 <www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007306>.

Quest, Think. thinkquest.org. 14 April 2011 <http://library.thinkquest.org/10826/timeline.htm>.

   
*Anything that doesn't have bibliography is because we obtained the information from our own knowledge.