World War II, Cold War and Post-War America - Essay Example

? World War II, Cold War and Post-War America Part The World War II, Involvement and Interests of America: America tried its level best to remain in complete isolation during the war time though; America feared that Axis powers might overcome the major portion of the globe. United States became an ally with British and French and became involved in the war by supplying them with the military assistance. America offered weapons and other military support to those countries under the Land Lease Act and Cash and Carry Act. This allowed the renting of American military equipments during the tough war time. This was the crucial time when America was indirectly involved in the war with the other countries to overcome the Axis powers. During the early stages of World War II, America remained a neutral force which aimed its goal in providing sources and military assistance to all the other countries. Such countries were bound to come all the way to America to get their military supplies. However, America was under strict surveillance of Germany, for providing military assistance to Britain. As a result, Germany failed to defeat England in the war and moved its interest towards Soviet Union due to the presence of different resources available there. On the other hand, Japan was another state that was aggressively gaining control over Asia. Somehow, we understand that Japan was also under ‘steel deals’ with America. United States of America understood the Japanese motive behind their expansion which was greatly influenced by the Germany ideals. This moved the United States to place an Embargo on Japan for using its Steel. This adversely affected the Japanese manufacturing of military weapons and fueled the fire between Japan and US. We know that Japan was seeking to increase its power and influence in the Asian region to set the image as a main regional super power and to acquire the raw materials that the country lacked. Japan believed that it was the right time for the small county to grow and to maintain its dominance over China and other Pacific lands. Nationalism was the basic factor that was growing in Japan during 1930 just the way it was growing in Germany. The young generation of Japan was under heavily influenced of their leader, Hirohito. When Japan attacked China, it realized the fact that the country is fighting with two strong political wings; the Nationalists and the Communists. However, America supported the Nationalist wing but remained neutral till the very end. During the WWII, America emerged as a super power that can hold supremacy and dominancy on any nation. WWII was the war of technology and improved war-weapons. The American interests in WWII were comprised of different factors. Americans wanted to make sure about the flow of communism and at the same time, America was nervous about Japan’s increasing power in the region and about its move towards South-East Asia. American Foreign Policy would have been damaged if Japan had attacked and took over Philippine. For Americans to safeguard their interest in the region, they thought it is highly important to deploy the atomic bomb. At the same time, America was also worried about the expansionist plans of Hitler. The main interest lied in the maintaining its supremacy and dominancy on greater part of the world. World War II has played a key role I the formation of several factors that established the foundation of modern America. It shaped the entire country in a new transition. World War II helped America to get out of economic depression, political isolation and social conservatism. The World War II also enabled America to revive its domestic policies, foreign relations and to expand itself in both social and cultural arenas in a different manner. World War I was America’s first involvement in the Europe, however, during World War II, America maintained its supremacy on the greater part of the world, expressed its military power, cultivated new alliances and shaped new diplomatic relations with the major powers. Part 2: America and World War II: World War II left its deep impact on the minds of American culture. American President defends his move of invasion as Roosevelt said, "To defend democracy and human rights throughout the world." (Roark et al, 2007; 655) Social, Cultural and Economical Effects: Industrial Height: America gained a unique position in industrial sector after the World War II. Military technology gained its pace and the outcome was a military complex was established. Increase in Technology: America gained rocket technology since the transfer of V2 rocket technology was from Germany to USA, after Germany’s defeat in WWII; America got a Nazi scientist who further developed America’s Rocket program. The step ushered America into the age of increased military technology. The Apollo Program of America was the outcome of contributions made by the Nazi scientists especially by Wernher Von Braun. Greater Influence on the other countries: U.S appeared on the horizon of the world as a super power. It ended the era of true isolationism which developed the idea in the minds of other nations. It gave the rights to America to intervene in the affairs of any other country. Anti-communism: The rise of McCarthyism ideology caused disturbance in the society. It was an unseen war against all those groups who were thought of being communist. Part 3: Cold War: Cold war was period of tension and conflicts between the major World Powers. The world was divided into groups; America along with the support of its NATO Allies and the other group comprised of Soviet Union and its supporters. Truman supported his moves against USSR as, “The United States would not only resist the Soviet military power but also support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures." (Roark et,al , 2003,686) Key events related to the Cold War between 1945 and 1960: USSR and America appeared as the rival super powers. Postdam conference which happened in July, 1945 and it was represented by Attlee, Truman and Stalin. In this conference, Stalin promised of free elections in Europe but Stalin never fulfilled his promise and communist governments were installed in almost all over the region. Churchill introduced a new term “the iron curtain” to express the USSR emerging power in the region. The division of Germany. Establishment of NATO in 1949 The acceptance of WARSAW Pact by the communist groups. Establishment of Review Board by Truman in 1947 to dismiss all the people found being disloyal to the American government. Rise of McCarthyism ideology against the communist people. America’s explosion of its first Hydrogen bomb in 1952. Establishment of America’s Nuclear program as a tool to establish peace. Cold War: An inevitable conflict? Cold war was inevitable in many ways. It was a struggle among the countries to be the next super power. Cold war was also fueled by the political philosophies that revolve around communism and representative democracy. These political philosophies played a major role in igniting the flame of conflict. Besides, both the countries were the nuclear powers and the chances were high that any one of the country would use its atomic weapons to gain control over the other one which intensified the situation between the two countries. How the Cold War was different Now and Then? Cold war was a race between Russia and America to gain more and more nuclear power; it was a race to win latest war and space technology and to maintain their supremacy on one another. At that time, the conflict brought unrest in both the countries. People were faced by the political, economical and social instability which damaged the infrastructure of the society however, if we analyze it today, the conflict between the two countries gave rise to new developments in technology. We can say that cold war is responsible for shaping the new diplomatic horizon of the 20th century by creating new foreign, trade and political policies and by establishing new philosophies. Part 4: Post-War America: The phase of 1950s has left its deep impact on the American Culture after the post-war period. People became more concerned about achieving their American dream. McCarthyism, Cold War or the battle on Civil Rights of the citizen do not make a major account for this decade. But we cannot ignore the deep impacts caused by Cold War and the events occurred during this time period. The threat of nuclear war made people to become more conscious about the security and peace of their home land. Communism was another threat stirred by the senator McCarthy who wanted to weed out the Communists from the society. Conformity was another element that compelled the people of United States to stand together to achieve their American Dream. The Black Civil Right Movement was another spark that made a huge impact on the minds of people during 1950s followed by Women’s Liberation Movement in early 1960s. Women gained their independence in the last phase of 1960s which made them to be accepted in the society. The entire American society took a huge turn during 1950s which pushed the younger generation of America to become more energetic and enthusiastic in different spheres of life. Music and art gradually became popular among the younger masses. The pattern of family lifestyle changed. People became more concerned about maintaining its class and social status in the society. Work Cited: Roark, James L, Michael P. Johnson, Patricia Cline Cohen, Sarah Stage, Alan Lawson, and Susan M. Hartmann. The American Promise a compact history Volume II: from 1865. 3rd Edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2007. Read More