Americans in World War II Essay
Bridget Sherman
HIS 125
February 20, 2012
Gerald Franz
Americans in World War II Essay
As with any war, there are devastating consequences for all involved. World War II was no different. Countless lives were lost during this time. America was one of the last countries to step in. On December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a declaration of war against Japan. America had wanted to stay neutral and try to stay out of Europe’s affairs, but it was becoming inevitable that they must step in and help. America finely stepped in when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
Before World War II, at the end of World War I, the Treaty of Versailles was signed. This was a treaty to obtain some kind of agreement between the Allies as to what to do with the countries that had caused all of the problems in the first place (ThinkQuest, 2002). When World War II came about many historians believe it was because Germany had held a grudge and wanted revenge. Thus ending the Treaty of Versailles.
Other countries had always looked upon America as an isolationism nation. This was mostly part to America wanted to stay out of other countries affairs. World War I was the first time that America had bothered to get involved. The reason President Roosevelt signed the declaration was because Japan attacked Pearl Harbor (World War II: Isolationist America, 2002).
When America became involved in World War II, the opinion soon started to sway from isolationism and more towards interventionism. The reason for the change was the neutrality acts that were signed. These acts came around so that America would have a limited involvement in the surrounding conflicts. Activities such as a blanket ban on all weapon shipments and to prevenet Americans from traveling to other nations (Delaney, 2013).
One of the amendements to the 1937 Neutrality Act, was the Cash and Carry Act. This was so America could sell material just...