US involvement and outcomes in major twentieth-century wars

U.S. Involvement in World War I & II:

There are several historical details of America's involvement in the First and Second world wars and the critical role that this country played in the two wars. Studies on these historical events have mainly focused on examining the involvement of the United States in the wars, the results of the engagement, and its impact on the country's position nationally and globally. America's involvement in the two wars had a crucial impact on the development of the nation to its current state both from the home front and internationally.

America's Involvement in World War I:

America's entrance and involvement in the First World War occurred on 6th April 1917, breaking the nation's long isolation tradition. The nation had embraced a policy of isolation and neutrality when war was declared in Europe in 1914. This policy seemed to be the most appropriate approach since it had the full support of majority of the country's citizens. The neutrality policy was a favorable approach because America sought to display herself in fairness. In the initial years, the United States didn't engage in the warfare because the war didn't threaten her interests and her trade was permitted to continue unhindered. Before its entrance, the United States attempted to avoid the war despite trading with nations participating in the battle.

The country's engagement in the war was largely unprepared because it was a decision reached after Germany introduced unrestricted submarine warfare. Germany introduced the unlimited submarine warfare through using U-boats, an action that is claimed to have been adopted because of Britain's influence. The country's outlook was altered by the loss of lives of American citizens on the high seas, the sinking of several ships including Lusitania, and the possibility of Germany to change her policies. When America declared war resulting in its involvement in World War I, things were not working well for the Allies.

America's neutrality and isolation from the war was fueled by fears from her merchants and manufacturers that a boycott could have negative impacts on the country's economy. However, America's engagement in the warfare contributed to decisive impacts on the Allied effort. The Germans managed to move several of their troops to the stalemate in the West from the eastern front because Russians quit the war. The country's position across the globe was hugely impacted because its supply of fresh U.S. soldiers affected Germany's potential advantage and demoralized them ("America in the First World War," par, 3).

On the home front, the economy was affected as it was one of the major sources for mobilizing victory in the war. The country's civilians provided additional food and fuel though planting extra vegetables that helped in keeping the furnace turned off. Moreover, the American government was involved in a huge propaganda campaign to generate money and raise troops. While the war was won, United States involvement in the First World War contributed to the loss of peace.

America's Involvement in World War II:

Similar to its entrance in the First World War, the United States was a latecomer in the Second World War. However, the American government's mobilization for the involvement in this war was greater than that of World War I. Notably, many people in the United States were increasingly skeptic of the country's engagement in the warfare despite of the events in Europe that eventually contributed to the devastating world conflict. Despite of America's maintenance of isolationism and neutrality, several events in Europe and Asia were increasing tensions between the two regions. Through its enactment of Neutrality Acts between 1935 and 1937, the United States established a restriction on all war material shipments as its citizens were hindered from travelling on belligerent ships and securing loans for such ships.

The involvement of the United States in the Second World War was the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. This attack was fueled when Franklin Roosevelt declared that the country could no longer trade items like iron and gasoline to Japan in July 1939. This decision had a huge impact on the Japanese since they used the items for their war with China. Before this announcement, America had only made a concession to permit the sale of arms as part of Roosevelt's desire to assist the Allies. Following the establishment of Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis and the seizure of French Indo-China and the Philippines, every Japanese asset was frozen in America. Consequently, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor resulting in huge destruction of the Pacific fleet and death of more than 2,000 people. The United States was forced to enter the war and had to battle on two fronts i.e. The Pacific and Europe.