Post by Dominick on Jul 14, 2008 21:43:57 GMT -5
Hey i had to write an essay on world war two so i wanted to know what other people thot, and sorry about the random torro things its mla format 
Dominick Torro
Block B
April 18th, 2008
America’s Evolving Role Essay
Evolution: World War II and Beyond
America’s role evolved in World War Two. Through evolution our role served importance in WWII and without this evolution events such as: D-Day, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the winning of the war, and the formation of the United Nations may not have been possible.
America wasn’t always an active nation in the Second World War; in fact, in its beginnings, in 1939, the United States showed no interest for a war. Domestic issues were focussed on to pull the nation out of the Great Depression. The people had so much disdain for the war that they had Congress and President Roosevelt pass the Neutrality Acts, where the sale or transportation of war materials were banned. Also, they banned loans to either belligerent or at war countries outside of the western hemisphere. The American public had neither need nor want for a war. One may ask, how did we get involved in such an epic war? Well, aid to Great Britain and China was one factor. We got involved in major battles, were key factors to victory, and lead the world into integration via the United Nations.
Initially, after the war began in Europe the American public began to sympathize for the Allied cause. Nazi Germany was conquering Europe quickly, and Americans felt threatened by the German advanced. Great Britain was the only major power fighting the Nazi party in Europe;
Torro 2
so the United States’ government repealed the Neutrality Acts, and set up the Lend-Lease Act. This policy allowed Great Britain to lease our battle ships for a reimbursement at the end of the war, for either the value of the good or the actual good. The Cash and Carry Policy allowed Great Britain to pay cash for goods, and come to the United States to make the transaction themselves. China had been fighting a war against Japan since 1937 and Japan was assaulting China’s major supply line, the Burma Road. The American sympathizers for the Chinese set up a volunteer group called the Flying Tigers. These Americans fought for the Chinese Air Force, and defended the Burma Road. The Flying Tigers were a very successful group and in its first 7 months shot down 276 Japanese planes. Furthermore, the Selective Service Act was the first American draft during a peace time. The American government mobilized the American Armed Forces in preparation for the war. Eight hundred thousand men were called upon to serve their country during peace time.
In addition, American Armed Forces took part in many major battles across the world. In Africa, the Fascist Italian Forces were surging through North Africa to secure the Suez Canal, which would lead to the control of the Mediterranean Sea. Led by General Rommel, the “Desert Fox”, the Afrika Corps reached the Egyptian city of El Almien. Generals Montgomery and Eisenhower battled Rommel and his Afrika Corps here, and this was Rommel’s last stand. From here Rommel and his forces were driven back into the Italian island of Sicily. Mussolini never did capture the Suez Canal. In Europe, the United States led the D-Day invasion of the Normandy beaches. With Great Britain and Canada backing them up, Allied forces plowed
Torro 3
through German forces in France; and arrived in Paris in a matter of months. When the invasion of the German home front was immanent, the Nazis made one last offensive against the Allies. In
the Belgian Forest of Ardennes, the Germans struck with great surprise, due to the area’s snow fall and fog. In Ardennes the Germans pushed a sixty mile bulge into the Allied front. The Nazi Army almost reached the French coast, and split the American forces, but the Americans pushed the Germans back into Germany. The battle was the Battle of the Bulge: named for the 60 mile bulge pushed into the American line. In the Pacific, Pearl Harbor, in all actuality, marked America’s entry into the Second World War. Pearl Harbor was a Japanese offensive in which the Japanese made bombings on the United States’ naval base in Hawaii, where the entire United States Naval Fleet was stationed. Thousands of Americans died in this attack. The Battle of the Coral Sea was a naval and air battle in the Coral Sea, on the northern coast of Australia. If the United States had not stopped the Japanese fleet here an invasion of the Australian main land was immanent. The Battle of Midway was a battle near the United States’ naval base on Midway, which is in proximity of Hawaii. Midway was a key port between the United States’ mainland and Asia. The Japanese strategy was to lure the American fleet to the open ocean where they would have been ambushed by Japanese Naval and Air Forces. American Naval code breakers discovered and diverted the American fleet from udder destruction. This American victory stopped the Japanese acquisition of an United States’ naval base. Two islands were the last two major acquisitions of the American conquest in the Pacific. Iwo Jima was a long, narrow island with a mountainous terrain at one end. In this mountain the Japanese soldiers had built a fortress, in which they could hold out for months on end. The purpose and significance of Iwo Jima was
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its shape, it could be used for a runway and was in bombing range of the Japanese mainland. Okinowa was an American victory as well, and it was the end of the island hopping strategy the
United States had put in place. And with the acquisition of these two islands, Japan’s islands were open to an attack.
Furthermore, the victories in the three theaters were another evolution in American involvement in World War Two. In Africa, American General Dwight E. Eisenhower drove the Italians back from Egypt and into the Italian island of Sicily. The Americans pushed Rommel into Italy’s mainland, and after defeats at Naples and Florence, the Americans liberated the Italian capital of Rome, leading to the surrender of Mussolini. Europe’s victory was caused by the suicide of Adolf Hitler. When the Americans reached the west border and the Soviets reached the east, the Germans had no options left. The Soviets had reached Berlin and the Nazis surrendered when Hitler was found dead. The Japanese had been at a constant struggle with America. Roosevelt was dead and Harry S. Truman had taken office. Truman was informed of the Manhattan Project, the secret Atomic Bomb research project, and that the atomic bomb was ready for use. Joseph Stalin, the communist dictator of the Soviet Union, advised Truman to “make good use” of this weapon of mass destruction. President Truman warned Japan; telling them “to surrender or face udder destruction.” When Japan ignored this warning an atomic bomb was dropped onto the industrial city of Hiroshima, and 60% of the city was reduced to rubble. Japan continued its battle with the United States; who subsequently dropped another bomb onto the city of Nagasaki, where 55% of the city was decimated. With no option other than seeing his
Torro 5
capital city possibly being bombed, the emperor surrendered on the USS Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay.
Moving on, the United States started the integration of counties though the United Nations. Firstly, the Atlantic Charter was a charter that the Allies signed saying that the Allied Nations would sign a single treaty with the Axis Powers. Much like Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points they encouraged a world where people could choose their own government, the United Nations support this. It functions much like the League of Nations; designed to keep peace in the world. This variation though, included the world’s superpowers and included a peace enforcement force in its charter. It is quite ironic that the United States was the first nation to join the United Nations, when its parent organization, the League of Nations, the United States had no entry into. This showed the United States’ transition into an imperialist attitude, with no turning back.
That being the case, the United States’ evolving role in World War Two included aid to Great Britain and China, involvement in major battles, being a key role in the winning of the war, and involvement in world affairs. America’s involvement in World War Two was an evolving one; from neutrality and isolationism to atomic bombings and imperialism. Without American support the Allied forces would have probably lost the war against the Axis powers. America overcame all odds: defeated Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan. In retrospect, World War Two was really a turning point for the United States, where our wars were turned from domestic to foreign affairs...where the United States kept peace overseas. A turning point where our borders encompassed the world. A turning point where far away places became our concern. A turning point when the world became such a small place. A turning point where
Torro 6
the United States became a superpower, and not just a super power, a military superpower. This is our country’s evolution. Our evolution in World War Two wasn’t just an evolution for our history, but for our future as well.
Dominick Torro
Block B
April 18th, 2008
America’s Evolving Role Essay
Evolution: World War II and Beyond
America’s role evolved in World War Two. Through evolution our role served importance in WWII and without this evolution events such as: D-Day, the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the winning of the war, and the formation of the United Nations may not have been possible.
America wasn’t always an active nation in the Second World War; in fact, in its beginnings, in 1939, the United States showed no interest for a war. Domestic issues were focussed on to pull the nation out of the Great Depression. The people had so much disdain for the war that they had Congress and President Roosevelt pass the Neutrality Acts, where the sale or transportation of war materials were banned. Also, they banned loans to either belligerent or at war countries outside of the western hemisphere. The American public had neither need nor want for a war. One may ask, how did we get involved in such an epic war? Well, aid to Great Britain and China was one factor. We got involved in major battles, were key factors to victory, and lead the world into integration via the United Nations.
Initially, after the war began in Europe the American public began to sympathize for the Allied cause. Nazi Germany was conquering Europe quickly, and Americans felt threatened by the German advanced. Great Britain was the only major power fighting the Nazi party in Europe;
Torro 2
so the United States’ government repealed the Neutrality Acts, and set up the Lend-Lease Act. This policy allowed Great Britain to lease our battle ships for a reimbursement at the end of the war, for either the value of the good or the actual good. The Cash and Carry Policy allowed Great Britain to pay cash for goods, and come to the United States to make the transaction themselves. China had been fighting a war against Japan since 1937 and Japan was assaulting China’s major supply line, the Burma Road. The American sympathizers for the Chinese set up a volunteer group called the Flying Tigers. These Americans fought for the Chinese Air Force, and defended the Burma Road. The Flying Tigers were a very successful group and in its first 7 months shot down 276 Japanese planes. Furthermore, the Selective Service Act was the first American draft during a peace time. The American government mobilized the American Armed Forces in preparation for the war. Eight hundred thousand men were called upon to serve their country during peace time.
In addition, American Armed Forces took part in many major battles across the world. In Africa, the Fascist Italian Forces were surging through North Africa to secure the Suez Canal, which would lead to the control of the Mediterranean Sea. Led by General Rommel, the “Desert Fox”, the Afrika Corps reached the Egyptian city of El Almien. Generals Montgomery and Eisenhower battled Rommel and his Afrika Corps here, and this was Rommel’s last stand. From here Rommel and his forces were driven back into the Italian island of Sicily. Mussolini never did capture the Suez Canal. In Europe, the United States led the D-Day invasion of the Normandy beaches. With Great Britain and Canada backing them up, Allied forces plowed
Torro 3
through German forces in France; and arrived in Paris in a matter of months. When the invasion of the German home front was immanent, the Nazis made one last offensive against the Allies. In
the Belgian Forest of Ardennes, the Germans struck with great surprise, due to the area’s snow fall and fog. In Ardennes the Germans pushed a sixty mile bulge into the Allied front. The Nazi Army almost reached the French coast, and split the American forces, but the Americans pushed the Germans back into Germany. The battle was the Battle of the Bulge: named for the 60 mile bulge pushed into the American line. In the Pacific, Pearl Harbor, in all actuality, marked America’s entry into the Second World War. Pearl Harbor was a Japanese offensive in which the Japanese made bombings on the United States’ naval base in Hawaii, where the entire United States Naval Fleet was stationed. Thousands of Americans died in this attack. The Battle of the Coral Sea was a naval and air battle in the Coral Sea, on the northern coast of Australia. If the United States had not stopped the Japanese fleet here an invasion of the Australian main land was immanent. The Battle of Midway was a battle near the United States’ naval base on Midway, which is in proximity of Hawaii. Midway was a key port between the United States’ mainland and Asia. The Japanese strategy was to lure the American fleet to the open ocean where they would have been ambushed by Japanese Naval and Air Forces. American Naval code breakers discovered and diverted the American fleet from udder destruction. This American victory stopped the Japanese acquisition of an United States’ naval base. Two islands were the last two major acquisitions of the American conquest in the Pacific. Iwo Jima was a long, narrow island with a mountainous terrain at one end. In this mountain the Japanese soldiers had built a fortress, in which they could hold out for months on end. The purpose and significance of Iwo Jima was
Torro 4
its shape, it could be used for a runway and was in bombing range of the Japanese mainland. Okinowa was an American victory as well, and it was the end of the island hopping strategy the
United States had put in place. And with the acquisition of these two islands, Japan’s islands were open to an attack.
Furthermore, the victories in the three theaters were another evolution in American involvement in World War Two. In Africa, American General Dwight E. Eisenhower drove the Italians back from Egypt and into the Italian island of Sicily. The Americans pushed Rommel into Italy’s mainland, and after defeats at Naples and Florence, the Americans liberated the Italian capital of Rome, leading to the surrender of Mussolini. Europe’s victory was caused by the suicide of Adolf Hitler. When the Americans reached the west border and the Soviets reached the east, the Germans had no options left. The Soviets had reached Berlin and the Nazis surrendered when Hitler was found dead. The Japanese had been at a constant struggle with America. Roosevelt was dead and Harry S. Truman had taken office. Truman was informed of the Manhattan Project, the secret Atomic Bomb research project, and that the atomic bomb was ready for use. Joseph Stalin, the communist dictator of the Soviet Union, advised Truman to “make good use” of this weapon of mass destruction. President Truman warned Japan; telling them “to surrender or face udder destruction.” When Japan ignored this warning an atomic bomb was dropped onto the industrial city of Hiroshima, and 60% of the city was reduced to rubble. Japan continued its battle with the United States; who subsequently dropped another bomb onto the city of Nagasaki, where 55% of the city was decimated. With no option other than seeing his
Torro 5
capital city possibly being bombed, the emperor surrendered on the USS Missouri, anchored in Tokyo Bay.
Moving on, the United States started the integration of counties though the United Nations. Firstly, the Atlantic Charter was a charter that the Allies signed saying that the Allied Nations would sign a single treaty with the Axis Powers. Much like Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points they encouraged a world where people could choose their own government, the United Nations support this. It functions much like the League of Nations; designed to keep peace in the world. This variation though, included the world’s superpowers and included a peace enforcement force in its charter. It is quite ironic that the United States was the first nation to join the United Nations, when its parent organization, the League of Nations, the United States had no entry into. This showed the United States’ transition into an imperialist attitude, with no turning back.
That being the case, the United States’ evolving role in World War Two included aid to Great Britain and China, involvement in major battles, being a key role in the winning of the war, and involvement in world affairs. America’s involvement in World War Two was an evolving one; from neutrality and isolationism to atomic bombings and imperialism. Without American support the Allied forces would have probably lost the war against the Axis powers. America overcame all odds: defeated Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan. In retrospect, World War Two was really a turning point for the United States, where our wars were turned from domestic to foreign affairs...where the United States kept peace overseas. A turning point where our borders encompassed the world. A turning point where far away places became our concern. A turning point when the world became such a small place. A turning point where
Torro 6
the United States became a superpower, and not just a super power, a military superpower. This is our country’s evolution. Our evolution in World War Two wasn’t just an evolution for our history, but for our future as well.
My teacher (this was almost a year ago that I wrote it) gave me 100%. 