From the Korean War we, the United States, should learn that Communism is spreading across Asia and we cannoth afford nor are prepared enough for a war against the Soviet Union and its allies. It is clear that communism is spreading because in 1949 China became a communist country. When the Japanese troops left North Korea the Soviet Union took control of it and turned the government into a "Soviet-style-one-party system"(3). North Korea became a one-party system because a Soviet leader was trained by USSR and controled what went on and etcetera in North Korea.
Our overall aims in Korea is to get communism out, or the least get the Soviet Union out. The Soviet Union is getting out of control as seen in eastern Europe where all the satellite-nations are controlled by the Soviet Union, this is going to happen to North Korea, which is why evasive action must be taken because the Soviet Union is getting too powerful. As said by Senator Tom Connally "If the UN is ever going to do anything, this is the time, and if the UN cannot bring the crisis in Korea to an end then we might as well just wash up the United Nations and forget it," which is true because if we don't stop the spread in communism and the control the Soviet Union could have, like in Korea, than they will become too powerful and we wont be able to stop them.
However, we cannot win this war without more allies, the leader of South Korea, Chiang, is not taking advantage of all of the citizens he has. Mao, on the other hand, is offering land benefits and more to the peasants making them want to go to North Korea, which they have done. Without the same amount of effort from Chiang as us we cannot completely take out communism because we will just simply be out-numbered.
Although, with the help of the other members of the United Nations, such as Britain, we have been able to push more communism out of North Korea. Britain and the other members have supplied a decent amount of soldiers to give us somewhat of an upper hand, but without the boycott by USSR in the United Nations we probably never would have been able to attack North Korea. If the USSR hadn't boycotted the UN than they most likely would have used their veto to not pass the petition to help out South Korea.
I believe we could have done more, but without the cooperation of Chiang and not losing as many south koreans we could not have done so. The United States partially achieved its goals because there is still communism in North Korea that is highly influenced, if not controled, by the Soviet Union. Also, North Korea has more land controlled by them than we do, we need to push them farther north. Though we must be extremely careful because if we were to go pass the Yalu River, as General Macarthur almost did, than we would also be in a war with China which would probably be followed by a declaration by the Soviet Union saying that they were going to war against us as well.
General Macarthur did help us to achieve some of our goals at one point, which were to drive the Soviets and communism out of North Korea. He had pushed the 'border' of South Korea almost to the Yalu River, where then we had faced problems with China. China is also a communist country, as declared in 1949, which made us predict that the Soviet Union would help their communistic allies in fighting a war against the United States. This would be terribly bad because we are not ready or prepared for a third world war. General Macarthur is doing his best to push communism and the Soviets out of North Korea.
Although Macarthur did help us achieve some of his goals his ideas would have lead us into trouble. China had declared that if we were to go over the Yalu River they would declare war on us, and we had predicted that USSR would help them. That would have been extremely bad because the United States is not ready for a third world war. Macarthur, however, wanted to use nuclear bombs on China and invade it, which would have caused a third world war possibly. We just couldn't have it, so President Truman fired him, and there is proof of his intentions in the war. Macarthur had said that "had they (the Chinese) intervened in the first or second months it would have been decisive, (but) we are no longer fearful of their intervention. Now that we have bases for our Air Force in Korea, there would be the greatest slaughter." So General Macarthur would have brought the United States into war with China and probably USSR too.
Overall, the casualties of the Korean War were great (a total of 1.4 billion), but most were on North Korea and China's side (780,000 soldiers and civilains were killed). Although the people that got the most casualties was all of Korea, with North Korea being the most and South Korea coming next with 570,000 civilians and soldiers killed. American and UN soldiers have lost the least amount of soldiers and civilians at 34,500 deaths.
As one can see, past president Truman's "containment" plan was somewhat successful. His plan allowed us to push communism and the Soviet Union somewhat out of North Korea, but it did allow us to stop the spread of communism and USSSR in becoming too powerful. However, communism did spread to China, stayed in North Korea, and almost got us into a third world war. We were not able to send military equipment and funds to China to stop communism or in North Korea, on the other hand we were able to do this in South Korea where it did not succumb to communistic ideologies. Although, the containment system almost got us into another major war by another communistic nation warning us of a war against us. The system calls us to help countries who are trying to rule out communisms by supplying them with funds and arms, but we went beyond in trying to cross the Korean border into China were they had already declared that they were communist and weren't rebelling. I believe that containment has served the United States well, but I think that we can make something better that will prevent us more from getting into war with other nations.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Dropping the Atomic Bomb
1. What factors have affected viewpoints on Truman's decision?
Truman's decision of the atomic bomb was and still is greatly debated. Some people believe that he dropped the bombs to scare the Soviet Union. Since the war was basically over, or so they knew and thought that it was, the bomb was pointless. Others believe that Truman dropped the atomic bombs because the military wanted to test out these new weapons of war, instead of using it for military need. Lastly, many people believe that he used them to save lives, without the bombs more lives would have been lost. These people say this because there is few evidence proving that Truman was trying to scare USSR or the military wanting to test out a new weapon. In conclusion, with so many different theories, like scaring the USSR and military testing it out, people have put themselves on different sides on Truman's decision.
2. Do you think he made the right decision? Give your reasons.
I believe that President Truman made the right decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. In one of the Pacific Battles, at Okiniwa, there were many casualties and it was just a less harsher example to what the island of Japan would be like. President Truman didn't want to lose any more men in the war, and people predicted that there would be deaths in the hundred thousands or even millions if the allies were to invace Japan. Truman wanted to prevent this, and in this aspect it was the right way to go to prevent allied deaths by using the atomic bombs. Also, if he were to use the atomic bombs on Japan it'd be almost a guarantee that they would defeat Japan and overall the Axis powers. I think if anyone were in his situation they'd want to end the war as soon as possible without losing millions of soldiers. The Japanese were vey aggressive and were fighting to the death, how else could he have defeated them if they wouldn't even surrender. They would have to defeat the Japanese, in battles, until all the Japanese were dead or if the Japanese killed themselves. This made the probability of losing a high number of men in the war at a higher percentage. In conclusion, I believe that President Truman had made the right decision on dropping two atomic bombs in Japan because it would lower the number of allied casualties and end the Pacific War and defeat the Axis Powers quicker.
Truman's decision of the atomic bomb was and still is greatly debated. Some people believe that he dropped the bombs to scare the Soviet Union. Since the war was basically over, or so they knew and thought that it was, the bomb was pointless. Others believe that Truman dropped the atomic bombs because the military wanted to test out these new weapons of war, instead of using it for military need. Lastly, many people believe that he used them to save lives, without the bombs more lives would have been lost. These people say this because there is few evidence proving that Truman was trying to scare USSR or the military wanting to test out a new weapon. In conclusion, with so many different theories, like scaring the USSR and military testing it out, people have put themselves on different sides on Truman's decision.
2. Do you think he made the right decision? Give your reasons.
I believe that President Truman made the right decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. In one of the Pacific Battles, at Okiniwa, there were many casualties and it was just a less harsher example to what the island of Japan would be like. President Truman didn't want to lose any more men in the war, and people predicted that there would be deaths in the hundred thousands or even millions if the allies were to invace Japan. Truman wanted to prevent this, and in this aspect it was the right way to go to prevent allied deaths by using the atomic bombs. Also, if he were to use the atomic bombs on Japan it'd be almost a guarantee that they would defeat Japan and overall the Axis powers. I think if anyone were in his situation they'd want to end the war as soon as possible without losing millions of soldiers. The Japanese were vey aggressive and were fighting to the death, how else could he have defeated them if they wouldn't even surrender. They would have to defeat the Japanese, in battles, until all the Japanese were dead or if the Japanese killed themselves. This made the probability of losing a high number of men in the war at a higher percentage. In conclusion, I believe that President Truman had made the right decision on dropping two atomic bombs in Japan because it would lower the number of allied casualties and end the Pacific War and defeat the Axis Powers quicker.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
War in the Pacific
1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?
The Battle of Midway was very important for the war effort and the allies because it was the turning point in the war. The allies, mostly Americans, had demoralized the Japanese a little and had raised pride and moral in America. People, including the Japanese were saying that America had avenged Pearl Harbor (referring to the attack at Pearl Harbor). Also, after this attack the allies began seizing and attacking all the other islands, in the book they called it "hopping" and "leapfrogging."
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
The strategy that the United States adopted to fight the Japanese was being offensive. America started taking action that pushed them forward in the war. They went and attacked instead of being defensive and defending their land.
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
The Japanese fought so hard on Iwo Jima because the island was so close to the main island, Japan. If the U.S. seized this island they'd be close to Japan and bomber airplanes would easily be able to attack Japan. The island was a major component on determining wether or not America or Japan could keep or get control. The island was so close to Japan that if Japan lost that island America would easily be able to attack the island. Also, the Japanese used this island as a major defense, it was loaded with the most men, amunition, and etc. to defend Japan.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
The allies believed that Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan because so many allie soldiers had died. Churchill predicted that hundreds of thousands or millions of men would probably die in Japan. Also, they were opened up to kamikazes that detroyed many ships and killed many men. Then on land they weren't prepared for how much worse it would be thant he at sea battles. Millions of Japanese soldiers had died while hundreds of thousands American soldiers had died, and they also saw two generals commit suicide because they'd rather do that than surrender. The Allies just thought wow this is crazy, Japan must be a lot worse (or something along the lines of that).
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was made to research and try to build atomic bombs. The project did become successful, and only a handful of Americans knew about it, the ones that were involved in the project. However, many Americans in the project didn't know what the bomb(s) were going to be used for, and President Truman didn't even know until he came into office.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
President Truman decided to dop atomic bombs on Japan because he wanted to end the war and possibly save more lives (Allie lives). President Truman solely used the atomic bombs on Japan to end the war because he knew that fighting in Japan would be pretty much impossible. He saw how hard and devastating it was to win over Okinawa and Iwo Jima; so he thought that the best way was to drop atomic bombs. The Japanese even said that they wouldn't surrender, but after the two bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki they did end up surrendering.
The Battle of Midway was very important for the war effort and the allies because it was the turning point in the war. The allies, mostly Americans, had demoralized the Japanese a little and had raised pride and moral in America. People, including the Japanese were saying that America had avenged Pearl Harbor (referring to the attack at Pearl Harbor). Also, after this attack the allies began seizing and attacking all the other islands, in the book they called it "hopping" and "leapfrogging."
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
The strategy that the United States adopted to fight the Japanese was being offensive. America started taking action that pushed them forward in the war. They went and attacked instead of being defensive and defending their land.
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
The Japanese fought so hard on Iwo Jima because the island was so close to the main island, Japan. If the U.S. seized this island they'd be close to Japan and bomber airplanes would easily be able to attack Japan. The island was a major component on determining wether or not America or Japan could keep or get control. The island was so close to Japan that if Japan lost that island America would easily be able to attack the island. Also, the Japanese used this island as a major defense, it was loaded with the most men, amunition, and etc. to defend Japan.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
The allies believed that Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan because so many allie soldiers had died. Churchill predicted that hundreds of thousands or millions of men would probably die in Japan. Also, they were opened up to kamikazes that detroyed many ships and killed many men. Then on land they weren't prepared for how much worse it would be thant he at sea battles. Millions of Japanese soldiers had died while hundreds of thousands American soldiers had died, and they also saw two generals commit suicide because they'd rather do that than surrender. The Allies just thought wow this is crazy, Japan must be a lot worse (or something along the lines of that).
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was made to research and try to build atomic bombs. The project did become successful, and only a handful of Americans knew about it, the ones that were involved in the project. However, many Americans in the project didn't know what the bomb(s) were going to be used for, and President Truman didn't even know until he came into office.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
President Truman decided to dop atomic bombs on Japan because he wanted to end the war and possibly save more lives (Allie lives). President Truman solely used the atomic bombs on Japan to end the war because he knew that fighting in Japan would be pretty much impossible. He saw how hard and devastating it was to win over Okinawa and Iwo Jima; so he thought that the best way was to drop atomic bombs. The Japanese even said that they wouldn't surrender, but after the two bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki they did end up surrendering.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
War for Europe and North Africa-Part II
6. What was D-Day?
D-Day was the day when the allied troops began the huge planned invasion to overcome the Germans. First they entered in northern France, they tricked the Germans by saying they would land in a place 150 miles from the actual place and they had a secret army (of about one million plus more) that would carry out this day. The allied forces did end up overcoming the nazis and taking France back from Germany. After this day they began to push onward to Germany.
7. What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
One battle fought after D-Day while pressing forth into Germany was the Battle of the Bulge. What happened was there was an eighty mile long front of allied forces, and earlier had captured their first city in Germany Aachen. However, Hitler didn't want to go down quite yet; he thought that he could take control back if he demoralized the allied forces and seized some of their land back. Although this didn't work, they did make it pretty far into the allied forces eighty mile line, but lost. Six hundred tanks and over a thousand troops and air planes were destroyed and killed. Hitler's troops attacked just one part of the line and made a 'bulge' in the line, hence Battle of the Bulge. One sad part of the battle is that over a hundred allied troops were taken prisoner and were masacred by machine guns and pistols, an attempt at demoralizing the allies.
8. What did Allied troops find in Germany?
Allied troops found concentration camps in Germany that were far worse than what they expected. They found naked and burnt bodies, and all of them emaciated. They said that their bones were sticking out through their skin. The Germans attempted to burn all the crimes and documents but failed to. Also, German troops in Berlin panacked and tried running away, however they were shot and hanged with an emblem on their chests saying that they betrayed Hitler. The concentration camps were the biggest shock to the allied troops because it was far worse than what they expected.
9. What happened to Hitler? What happened to F.D. Roosevelt? Who became U.S. President?
Hitler ended up marrying his long time companion, Eva Braun, however they killed themselves before they could be captured or anything (he shot himself and she poisoned herself). Before Hitler killed himself he blamed everything bad that had happened, the losing of land that he had seized and etc, on the Jewish people. He said that it was the Jewish people that had caused him to lose control of what he had. FDR again became president for a fourth term but less than a month before V-E-Day he died of a stroke. Then Harry S. Truman became President of the United States as the thirty-third president.
D-Day was the day when the allied troops began the huge planned invasion to overcome the Germans. First they entered in northern France, they tricked the Germans by saying they would land in a place 150 miles from the actual place and they had a secret army (of about one million plus more) that would carry out this day. The allied forces did end up overcoming the nazis and taking France back from Germany. After this day they began to push onward to Germany.
7. What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
One battle fought after D-Day while pressing forth into Germany was the Battle of the Bulge. What happened was there was an eighty mile long front of allied forces, and earlier had captured their first city in Germany Aachen. However, Hitler didn't want to go down quite yet; he thought that he could take control back if he demoralized the allied forces and seized some of their land back. Although this didn't work, they did make it pretty far into the allied forces eighty mile line, but lost. Six hundred tanks and over a thousand troops and air planes were destroyed and killed. Hitler's troops attacked just one part of the line and made a 'bulge' in the line, hence Battle of the Bulge. One sad part of the battle is that over a hundred allied troops were taken prisoner and were masacred by machine guns and pistols, an attempt at demoralizing the allies.
8. What did Allied troops find in Germany?
Allied troops found concentration camps in Germany that were far worse than what they expected. They found naked and burnt bodies, and all of them emaciated. They said that their bones were sticking out through their skin. The Germans attempted to burn all the crimes and documents but failed to. Also, German troops in Berlin panacked and tried running away, however they were shot and hanged with an emblem on their chests saying that they betrayed Hitler. The concentration camps were the biggest shock to the allied troops because it was far worse than what they expected.
9. What happened to Hitler? What happened to F.D. Roosevelt? Who became U.S. President?
Hitler ended up marrying his long time companion, Eva Braun, however they killed themselves before they could be captured or anything (he shot himself and she poisoned herself). Before Hitler killed himself he blamed everything bad that had happened, the losing of land that he had seized and etc, on the Jewish people. He said that it was the Jewish people that had caused him to lose control of what he had. FDR again became president for a fourth term but less than a month before V-E-Day he died of a stroke. Then Harry S. Truman became President of the United States as the thirty-third president.
Monday, March 8, 2010
War for Europe & North Africa
1. To what did Roosevelt and Churchill agree early in the war?
Roosevelt and Churchill agreed to first attack in Europe, believing the axis powers in Europe were more of a threat than the Japanese. Later in the war they agreed that for surrender the axis powers had to surrender fully, they would have to agree with any war 'penalties' the allies would put on them.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
Winning the Battle of the Atlantic was so crucial for the Allies because it was the only way Britain could get war supplies, and Hitler knew that if he cut off their supplies Britain would fall and then basically he'd win the war (America would be by itself). HItler tried cutting off their supplies by attacking American ships with his U-boats, however radar, sonar, and being 'escorted' to Britain helped to destroy U-boats and bring supplies to Britain.
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
The Battle of Stalingrad was so important because it was the turning point in the war for the allies (mostly the Soviet Union). Hitler and part of his army had tried to capture Stalingrad, however two times winter had stopped them from doing so. They only could attack during the summer. The second time Hitler's army had actually captured nine tenths of the city, but Soviet Union troops had moved their tanks and army around the city completely trapping the nazis from their supplies. Eventually the nazis surrendered; this increased the soldiers pride and hope a lot. They began to believe more and more that they could win the war. This victory was a turning point in the war and was so important because it greatly increased pride and hope in men that they could win the war.
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
In the war in North Africa allie troops came in Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers in North Africa sweeping the Afrika Korps (a German unit) out of Africa. Then the allie troops went into Italy to sweep out the axis powers. All in all, the allies gained control of North Africa which helped to sweep out the nazis in Italy and get to Germany.
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy?
After the Allies invaded Italy the Italians kicked Mussolini out of office and was replaced by King Emmanuel III. However, one of the hardest battles was fought in Italy, fairly close to Rome, Hitler was not letting Italy surrender without a fight. He sent troops and fought against the Allies in Anzio, 30,000 of Hitlers troops died and 25,000 Allie troops died, but it was an Allie victory.
Roosevelt and Churchill agreed to first attack in Europe, believing the axis powers in Europe were more of a threat than the Japanese. Later in the war they agreed that for surrender the axis powers had to surrender fully, they would have to agree with any war 'penalties' the allies would put on them.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
Winning the Battle of the Atlantic was so crucial for the Allies because it was the only way Britain could get war supplies, and Hitler knew that if he cut off their supplies Britain would fall and then basically he'd win the war (America would be by itself). HItler tried cutting off their supplies by attacking American ships with his U-boats, however radar, sonar, and being 'escorted' to Britain helped to destroy U-boats and bring supplies to Britain.
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
The Battle of Stalingrad was so important because it was the turning point in the war for the allies (mostly the Soviet Union). Hitler and part of his army had tried to capture Stalingrad, however two times winter had stopped them from doing so. They only could attack during the summer. The second time Hitler's army had actually captured nine tenths of the city, but Soviet Union troops had moved their tanks and army around the city completely trapping the nazis from their supplies. Eventually the nazis surrendered; this increased the soldiers pride and hope a lot. They began to believe more and more that they could win the war. This victory was a turning point in the war and was so important because it greatly increased pride and hope in men that they could win the war.
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
In the war in North Africa allie troops came in Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers in North Africa sweeping the Afrika Korps (a German unit) out of Africa. Then the allie troops went into Italy to sweep out the axis powers. All in all, the allies gained control of North Africa which helped to sweep out the nazis in Italy and get to Germany.
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy?
After the Allies invaded Italy the Italians kicked Mussolini out of office and was replaced by King Emmanuel III. However, one of the hardest battles was fought in Italy, fairly close to Rome, Hitler was not letting Italy surrender without a fight. He sent troops and fought against the Allies in Anzio, 30,000 of Hitlers troops died and 25,000 Allie troops died, but it was an Allie victory.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Mobilizing for WWII
Read Chapter 25-1: Mobilizing for War and note how each of the following contributed to that effort.
1. Selective Service System
This system added another five millions men to go to war in addition to the five million volunteers, this was needed because of the two major war fronts (in the Pacific and in Europe).
2. Women
Women contributed to the war effort by being able to volunteer into the war. Women were able to work at the jobs that never saw combat, like electricians, nurses, ambulance drivers, and radio operators. This was all able to happen because of General George Marshall who pushed Congress to pass the WAAC (Women's Auxiliary Army Corps).
3. Minorities
Minorites were a big help in the war effort, but were greatly discriminated against. They didn't like how if they fought in the war they'd be fighting another race (possibly theirs) for America who wanted to enforce democracy where they didn't even get democracy in America and for people who were racist against them. However, many ethnic groups, like Asian-Americans, African-Amricans, and Native-Americans were a huge help in the war effort and they had all volunteered.
4. Manufacturers
Basically every industry switched their products that they were making into producing combat materials for war. For example, a mechanical pencil industry switched to putting powder in grenades and automobile industries switched from making cars to making ships, planes, and etc. Many industries switched to war necesities for the war effort, which contributed a lot to the war that the United States needed after the Pearl Harbor attack where many ships and planes were destroyed.
5. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)
The OSRD contributed to the war effort by making better sonar and radar, inventing drugs like penicillan, and the atomic bomb. Making better sonar and radar made it possible to locate submarines, and penicillan saved many of soldier's lives. The atomic bomb was the main focus however, they made an intense program called the Manhattan Project that investigated and researched how to make the atomic bomb. They focused on this because a refugee, Albert Einstein, told FDR in a letter that German scientists had figured out how to extract uranium atoms which made a lot of energy hence a powerful bomb.
6 Entertainment industry
The film industry made many movies about the Soviet Union being our ally, the Nazis, and romances. The movies about the Soviet Union being our ally made Americans hopeful that America could win the war, they felt like they had more power or were more powerful with USSR. Also the movies about the Nazis made Americans hate them, and therefore made Americans want to join or help the war effort. However, after all these movies about the war people got tired of them, so romance movies were made which made people forget about the realities of the war for one or two hours.
7. Office of Price Administration (OPA)
FDR made this administration to keep inflation below thiry percent or atleast steady, and to reduce consumer demands on daily products. For example, it raised the income tax and spread to people who hadn't paid it before therefor making workers not able to spend as much. This adminstration kept the inflation steady throughout WWII.
8. War Production Board (WPB)
The WPB contributed to the war effort by controling the companies by saying you can make this, and you can send these materials to that company. Also, it recycled many things like tin, paper, and cooking fat for war goods. This led to children contributing to the war effort by them collecting all the materials that could be recycled like paper.
9. Rationing
Rationing helped with the war effort by making Americans at home not able to buy as much as they would or could. They had to buy things with coupons that raised the prices which made them not want to buy as much or anything. Also, you couldn't buy gasoline which greatly impacted the west by them not being able to get around (and basically isolated at their home from other people), this was to give more gasoline and oil to the ships, planes, and automobiles being used in the war. Therefore, rationing contributed to the war effort by making the more scarce materials needed in the war available for the war effort and the men.
1. Selective Service System
This system added another five millions men to go to war in addition to the five million volunteers, this was needed because of the two major war fronts (in the Pacific and in Europe).
2. Women
Women contributed to the war effort by being able to volunteer into the war. Women were able to work at the jobs that never saw combat, like electricians, nurses, ambulance drivers, and radio operators. This was all able to happen because of General George Marshall who pushed Congress to pass the WAAC (Women's Auxiliary Army Corps).
3. Minorities
Minorites were a big help in the war effort, but were greatly discriminated against. They didn't like how if they fought in the war they'd be fighting another race (possibly theirs) for America who wanted to enforce democracy where they didn't even get democracy in America and for people who were racist against them. However, many ethnic groups, like Asian-Americans, African-Amricans, and Native-Americans were a huge help in the war effort and they had all volunteered.
4. Manufacturers
Basically every industry switched their products that they were making into producing combat materials for war. For example, a mechanical pencil industry switched to putting powder in grenades and automobile industries switched from making cars to making ships, planes, and etc. Many industries switched to war necesities for the war effort, which contributed a lot to the war that the United States needed after the Pearl Harbor attack where many ships and planes were destroyed.
5. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)
The OSRD contributed to the war effort by making better sonar and radar, inventing drugs like penicillan, and the atomic bomb. Making better sonar and radar made it possible to locate submarines, and penicillan saved many of soldier's lives. The atomic bomb was the main focus however, they made an intense program called the Manhattan Project that investigated and researched how to make the atomic bomb. They focused on this because a refugee, Albert Einstein, told FDR in a letter that German scientists had figured out how to extract uranium atoms which made a lot of energy hence a powerful bomb.
6 Entertainment industry
The film industry made many movies about the Soviet Union being our ally, the Nazis, and romances. The movies about the Soviet Union being our ally made Americans hopeful that America could win the war, they felt like they had more power or were more powerful with USSR. Also the movies about the Nazis made Americans hate them, and therefore made Americans want to join or help the war effort. However, after all these movies about the war people got tired of them, so romance movies were made which made people forget about the realities of the war for one or two hours.
7. Office of Price Administration (OPA)
FDR made this administration to keep inflation below thiry percent or atleast steady, and to reduce consumer demands on daily products. For example, it raised the income tax and spread to people who hadn't paid it before therefor making workers not able to spend as much. This adminstration kept the inflation steady throughout WWII.
8. War Production Board (WPB)
The WPB contributed to the war effort by controling the companies by saying you can make this, and you can send these materials to that company. Also, it recycled many things like tin, paper, and cooking fat for war goods. This led to children contributing to the war effort by them collecting all the materials that could be recycled like paper.
9. Rationing
Rationing helped with the war effort by making Americans at home not able to buy as much as they would or could. They had to buy things with coupons that raised the prices which made them not want to buy as much or anything. Also, you couldn't buy gasoline which greatly impacted the west by them not being able to get around (and basically isolated at their home from other people), this was to give more gasoline and oil to the ships, planes, and automobiles being used in the war. Therefore, rationing contributed to the war effort by making the more scarce materials needed in the war available for the war effort and the men.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941
Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941
Document A
-Japan wants America to think about what side they're on
-Japan talked about how to help the other two axis powers control great britain
-they also figured that if they injured the south or took control over it, it would badly hurt america because they need certain strategic materials that Japan would deplete
Document B
-Japan is running circles around America
-America is still trying to isolate itself (well FDR and two other people are)
-this is probably after pearl harbor and the cartoonest wants America to do something about japan "encircling" them
Document C
-Japan is leaving something, possibly the League of Nations
-it talks about how America has ignored Japan and was upset about it
-possibly America put a new act on Japan that made them lose money or restrict imports and exports of some sort
Document D
-Japan's army lead by Tojo is trying to live up to the Prime Minister
-wants to be aggressive
-wants to make the empire bigger
Document E
-America is deeply upset at what the Japanese had done (pearl harbor)
-FDR talks about how we were peaceful with the empire
-now he's asking congress to let him declare war on japan
-says that this date (pear harbor dec. 7th 1941) will live on forever
Document A
-Japan wants America to think about what side they're on
-Japan talked about how to help the other two axis powers control great britain
-they also figured that if they injured the south or took control over it, it would badly hurt america because they need certain strategic materials that Japan would deplete
Document B
-Japan is running circles around America
-America is still trying to isolate itself (well FDR and two other people are)
-this is probably after pearl harbor and the cartoonest wants America to do something about japan "encircling" them
Document C
-Japan is leaving something, possibly the League of Nations
-it talks about how America has ignored Japan and was upset about it
-possibly America put a new act on Japan that made them lose money or restrict imports and exports of some sort
Document D
-Japan's army lead by Tojo is trying to live up to the Prime Minister
-wants to be aggressive
-wants to make the empire bigger
Document E
-America is deeply upset at what the Japanese had done (pearl harbor)
-FDR talks about how we were peaceful with the empire
-now he's asking congress to let him declare war on japan
-says that this date (pear harbor dec. 7th 1941) will live on forever
Monday, March 1, 2010
America Moves Toward War
1. What did the 1939 Neutrality Act allow?
The 1939 Neutrality Act allowed the "cash-and-carry," which is that the U.S. would sell (mostly the allies) weapons and etc. but they would have to pay in cash and they would have to find their own way to get and bring the supplies back to their nation themselves.
2. Who were the Axis powers?
The Axis powers were Italy, Germany, and Japan.
3. What did the Lend-Lease Act do?
The Lend-Lease Act was proposed by FDR and he said that the U.S. would send supplies and such to any country whose defense was vital to the United States, and this was made because Britain had run out of money to buy supplies from the U.S.
4. What pledges were contained in the Atlantic Charter?
The pledges that were contained in the Atlantic Charter were that both would have collective security, disarmament, self-determination, economic cooperation, and freedom of the seas.
5. Who were the Allies?
The Allies were Britain, France, the United States, and many other nations with a total of 26.
6. What did the attack at Pearl Harbor do to the U.s. Pacific fleet?
The attack at Pearly Harbor tremendously depleted the U.S. Pacific fleet. Over two thousand men were killed plus over a thousand injnured. A total of twenty-one ships were sunk or damaged including eight battleships and about three hundred aircrafts were either destroyed or damaged. All of this made the United States almost unable to fight the Japanese in the Pacific Ocean, if they did there would be many lost battles before many won battles (as Roosevelt said).
7. Why did Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.?
Italy and Germany declared war on the U.S. because the United States declared war on Japan, and since these three nations signed the Tritarpite Pact they had to come in and help the other if they were being attacked (like if one nation attacked one of these three nations the other two would have to go and fight against this nation as well).
The 1939 Neutrality Act allowed the "cash-and-carry," which is that the U.S. would sell (mostly the allies) weapons and etc. but they would have to pay in cash and they would have to find their own way to get and bring the supplies back to their nation themselves.
2. Who were the Axis powers?
The Axis powers were Italy, Germany, and Japan.
3. What did the Lend-Lease Act do?
The Lend-Lease Act was proposed by FDR and he said that the U.S. would send supplies and such to any country whose defense was vital to the United States, and this was made because Britain had run out of money to buy supplies from the U.S.
4. What pledges were contained in the Atlantic Charter?
The pledges that were contained in the Atlantic Charter were that both would have collective security, disarmament, self-determination, economic cooperation, and freedom of the seas.
5. Who were the Allies?
The Allies were Britain, France, the United States, and many other nations with a total of 26.
6. What did the attack at Pearl Harbor do to the U.s. Pacific fleet?
The attack at Pearly Harbor tremendously depleted the U.S. Pacific fleet. Over two thousand men were killed plus over a thousand injnured. A total of twenty-one ships were sunk or damaged including eight battleships and about three hundred aircrafts were either destroyed or damaged. All of this made the United States almost unable to fight the Japanese in the Pacific Ocean, if they did there would be many lost battles before many won battles (as Roosevelt said).
7. Why did Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.?
Italy and Germany declared war on the U.S. because the United States declared war on Japan, and since these three nations signed the Tritarpite Pact they had to come in and help the other if they were being attacked (like if one nation attacked one of these three nations the other two would have to go and fight against this nation as well).
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