World War II Through the 1970s - Coursework Example

? Assignment 3: WWII Through the 1970s Here Here Here Here Assignment 3: WWII Through the 1970s There were many important events in the time period under discussion, but two of the most impactful may be the assault on Pearl Harbor, and the assassination of John F. Kennedy. These events are still commonly referenced in media throughout the world, demonstrating an impact that reaches beyond the lasting national response. Additionally, both led to significant developments in the American perspective like sympathy for the incoming president, as well as finding pride in their potent military. 2. The second World War was originally a European conflict. Americans were hesitant to become involved due to a variety of reasons that are discussed below, resulting in a high sense of tension when the country did enter formal battle after the Pearl Harbor attack (Schultz, 2009). The United States had become concerned with Japanese conquests of the Pacific during the war, and this attack proved to be the tipping point for an official American declaration and entry into WWII. Of course, this eventually led to the dropping of the first atomic bombs, and the cessation of fighting at a tremendous cost of human life. These events helped to establish the US as a freedom fighting, militarily dominant international force, and serve as a source of both pride and mourning in American culture. The clear racism displayed by the Nazis pushed American standards away from assimilation and toward tolerance, laying the ground for civil rights movements. WWII also served as an important revitalization point for many national industries as massive amounts of resources became of use. This economic boon would continue to fuel the American society for decades. JFK was an extremely popular president, displaying charisma in public (Grubbs, 2013), along with a staunch political opposition to communism. This was an especially important quality given the events of the Cold War, and the symbolism that Kennedy represented (freedom, capitalism, etc.) was attuned to the emerging American mindset. JFK's time as president was not without incident, as the Bay of Pigs proved to be an especially embarrassing mark on his career, but his successes are much more apparent. Some of Kennedy's best work includes guiding the country through the Cuban Missile Crisis, and helping to grow the civil rights movement. In November of 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated during a motorcade through Dallas, Texas. The event has become so salient in the American consciousness, that it has spawned countless conspiracy theories, pieces of art, popular culture references, and a country-wide awareness of the former president that has also spread among other countries. Kennedy was replaced by a starkly contrasting figure in Lyndon Johnson, changing the course of US politics to focus on the economy and education, but remaining influenced by JFK's legacy. 3. As wars raged in the late 1930s, the United States sought to remain uninvolved in military affairs. The government was concerned with the aggressive actions like Germany, Italy, and Japan, but did not feel it was wise to risk the losses associated with armed combat that were still fresh in the mind from WWI and instead imposed harsh embargoes where appropriate. The depression had pushed the country towards isolation, and they sought to remain this way as economic rebuilding continued. Darker reasons for staying out of the war included a misguided American respect for Hitler, who had pulled Germany out of their own depression, and the uncertainty of public opinion about antisemitism. 4. Victory in WWII would not have been possible without the efforts of American women. The vast number of men called to war left an equally large shortage in the national worker population. Women soon filled these positions as the government campaigned to sway employer attitudes toward hiring female workers, and women became determined to contribute (Capshew & Laszlo, 2010). The domestic economy would not have fared fell during WWII if women had not been involved, and war efforts would have suffered greatly due to a lack of available supplies like planes and weaponry. Females took many positions, including factory jobs as metal cutters, riveters, and press operators. Women also played an important role in the military as part of the group known as Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). They served as a navy division and took up many of the work duties (plane maintenance for example) that were left behind by soldiers now at war. The unit also assisted in health care services at hospitals, with clerical support, and as recruiters/trainers. 5. There have been several civil rights breakthroughs since WWII that helped to advance the cause of African-Americans. The war itself helped to expose the rampant inequality and intolerance in the United States, and inspired the movement toward fair rights and treatment for all minorities. African-Americans, having experienced an especially extreme amount of racial opposition in the country, were particularly inspired by the wartime heroics of the Tuskegee airmen. Their dedication and skill strengthened the resolve of the African-American military community to push for the end of segregation in the forces. Black soldiers were kept separate from their white counterparts, making it easy to place them at a disadvantage in both the quest for equality, and the delegation of assignments. Following WWII, the desegregation of the military was signed into order by Truman, and was slowly but surely implemented over several years. Another example of civil rights advances following the second world war also comes in the form of desegregation. Sports are an important part of American culture, especially during this time period, and African-Americans had long been segregated into their own leagues. This inequality prevented the true mixing of the best players in the best leagues, and instead continued the alienation of black Americans from traditional cultural events. Future hall of famer Jackie Robinson, a WWII veteran, would be the first to break the color barrier in baseball, which is perhaps the most important of American sports in culture. Robinson was simply too good of a baseball player to be ignored by the major leagues. Although he would endure taunting, attacks, and segregation during his career, Robinson remained dedicated to the game and helped to open the doors for African-American inclusion in the most popular leagues of American sports. 6. The losses associated with the Vietnam war are well known in the United States, but some social progression did emerge due to America's involvement in the conflict. For the first time, the youth became prominently involved in the public eye of political affairs. Student protests began to emerge across the country, speaking in protest of the failing attack, and calling for the end of the nation's involvement in Korean issues. An important milestone in student political progress was the 1959 declaration of Students for a Democratic Society. The Vietnam war also brought political awareness to the youth by bringing more empathy to the civil-rights movement. As students found themselves coming together to protest the war, it became apparent that the feeling was mutual across several races. Finding common ground, students of many racial backgrounds used their combined voices to also protest opposition to civil-rights for African-Americans and other oppressed groups in a range of social systems like education. 7. Johnson's "great society" was a concept that he formed after being elected in the 1964 race. He saw his term as an opportunity to expand the liberal state, and to bring into effect several social programs. One of the lasting impacts of the movement is the still authorized Higher Education Act that enacts measures to help poverty-stricken students obtain postsecondary education. Here, Johnson set a precedence for the availability of student financial aid. Johnson also had a profound impact on the future of American health care by establishing both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Previous to the existence of these resources, most poor and elderly Americans were at risk of not having access to needed health services. While there are still barriers to access that these groups face, Johnson's programs were instrumental in establishing social health services that continue to assist many Americans. References Capshew, J. H., & Laszlo, A. C. (2010). “We would not take no for an answer”: Women Psychologists and Gender Politics During World War II. Journal of Social Issues, 42(1), 157-180. Grubbs, L. (2013). Betting on the Africans: John F. Kennedy's Courting of African Nationalist Leaders. Journal of American History, 99(4), 1308-1308. Schultz, K. (2009). America Unbound: A US History Primer. Wadsworth Publishing Company. Read More