The USA and the First World War - Essay Example

The decision to enter the First World War sparked a series of hot debates between the isolationists and the interventionists in the United States. While the isolationists felt that United States’ involvement in international issues would have grave consequences on the American people, the interventionists were of the opinion that it was quite imperative to help matters in Europe by entering the war. Despite the whole debate, the United States entered the war which proved to have far-reaching repercussions on all the dimensions of American life.

Prior to joining WWI, the United States enjoyed blossoming, prosperous years that were evidenced by rapid growth in the GDP and a positive improvement in the standards of living of the American People (Gary pp 417). However, after the war, with much of the expenses in the war having been borne by the American people, there was a considerable slump in the American economy. The average American consumer had to chuck out more to obtain the same amount of goods they would have obtained before the war.

After the war, the American government tremendously reduced its number of troops and significantly reduced the pay of the remaining soldiers. As a result, veterans returning from the war complained of the lack of other opportunities in the country. Since Congress had allocated many funds to ensure success in the war and with the strain on the standard of living, the rise in inflation became persistent. After the war, the government was more indebted than ever in the history of the United States.

The war had cost the American government an estimated $38 million financed by the federal government and through the issue of war bonds and stamps (Cross pp 45-57). Prices of commodities shot up tremendously. Investment reduced greatly as Americans had no surplus cash due to the rising inflation. WWI caused untold damage to many American families. Many soldiers were killed in the war in Europe. Even though America suffered few casualties in the war, the soldiers who died in one way or another affected the lives of many American people.

Many soldiers returning from the war were greatly distressed by post-traumatic stress disorder, a psychological condition that afflicts war veterans. Many children were left with partial or without parental care after the war. Psychologically, the war changed the perspectives of many American people regarding world leaders. Most people began adopting a sense of distrust towards leaders considering that it is some leaders in Europe who had caused the war that had caused great ramifications on world affairs.

Families that had lost members in Europe were devastated. Soldiers who had been maimed and injured were returning home to suffer due to the lack of an appropriate healthcare scheme. The war greatly disrupted the American social order. As more men were deployed to the front lines to fight, women moved in to occupy positions in the factories. Positions that had earlier been held by men were now occupied by women. Unfortunately, after the war, the original social system was never reverted to. Tensions emerged in several families and many marriages were shattered courtesy of the new wave of social order that had emerged (Chickering pp78-88).

The optimism that had for a long time characterized American social life was bleakly replaced by a new pessimism that began emerging. Furthermore, the harsh realities of the war were gradually emerging. The huge reparations imposed upon Germany, made German sympathizers acquire a negative perception towards America.