- Discuss the various foreign crises between the wars, paying particularly close attention to Germany and Italy.
European nations were in disarray, having been controlled by significant powers for so long. Most of these nations, like Lithuania and Poland, ended up being ruled by dictators. Italy was in economic ruin after leaving the peace summit without any territory promised to them by the allies. This prompted the founding of the Fascist party by Mussolini, which appealed to soldiers’ frustrations and offering a return to traditional politics and values. Germany was unable to fund its own rehabilitation, thus relying on American private investors, but following their economic failure, Germany’s system collapsed. They would then stop accepting terms of the Versailles treaty and enforced nationalism. Adolf Hitler, a believer in military power, was appointed chancellor in 1930.
- Discuss the attack on Pearl Harbor and the impact it had on sharpening American public opinion surrounding the Second World War.
The Japanese government attacked Pearl Harbor following the American decision to sever oil exports to Japan. They attacked hoping to immobilize America’s navy fleet, thus giving them sway over the pacific. On December 7, 1941, Japanese aircraft bombarded the American navy vessels as well as aircraft. American casualties were extremely high because of their unpreparedness. Back in the states, Americans were infuriated; this “unwarranted” attack made the American people view the Japanese as an evil that needed to be stopped prompting the United States to declare war on Japan the very next day.
- Trace all aspects of America’s war efforts on the home front and discuss manpower, gender roles, and financing U.S. participation in World War 2
The home front refers to activities of the civilians during wartime. Millions of young men enlisting in the military created a vacuum in the workforce, leading to the recruitment of women in roles in the manufacturing industries; this would eventually lead to the acquisition of equal rights. The government introduced a system of rationing to save on resources. They also encouraged recycling to fund their war efforts further. People were also encouraged to buy war bonds, thus supporting the war and, at the same time taking money out of circulation and preventing inflation.
- Discuss Truman’s decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan.
- What were the arguments for and against such action?
- What eventually led to his decision
Truman claimed the dropping of the bombs was from a purely military viewpoint; he wanted to end the war as quickly as possible with minimum casualties. The use of the bomb would also check the Soviet Union, who presented a threat at the time. It would be a direct response to the previous attack at Pearl Harbor, and the rise in civilian casualties would ultimately force Japan into unconditional surrender. The use of the bomb was also regarded as inhumane and unnecessary and was not universally supported. Truman, having experienced war, advocated the use of the bomb, since he was able to sympathize with troops who were trying, and failing, to invade Japan. He wanted to reduce American troop casualties by seeking the fastest way to make Japan surrender.