America enters WWII

World War II was a pivotal time in the history of the United States and would shape the remainder of the twentieth century. But originally, the country was reluctant to join the fight. Why was that? What was the final straw that pushed the Americans to join the allies in Europe? How did the US help Britain during the war? And how did the US contribute to the war effort abroad? Let's examine the answers to these questions and more in this explanation.

America Enters WWII: Date

In the wake of World War II and the Great Depression of 1929-39, the United States of America adopted an isolationist policy that stressed neutrality, non-intervention, and disarmament.

Fig. 1 Attack on Pearl Harbor

Despite the country's intentions, adherence to these policies soon became impossible. Escalating tensions in the European and Pacific theaters meant that conflict was unavoidable. With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States officially entered World War II.

America Enters WWII: Facts

World War II: Timeline

America Enters WWII: Europe

The buildup to America Entering the War

Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as America's President from March 1933 to April 1945; his role was, therefore – in line with the country's non-interventionist policy post-World War – to at first avoid bringing America into the war effort. Roosevelt confirmed this by passing a series of neutrality laws through Congress. 1935 the Neutrality Act was signed into law. This law declared that the US would not ship arms to either aggressor or victim in an armed international conflict. At the time, Italy was threatening to attack Ethiopia. Further, the Spanish Civil War was in full sway, but additional neutrality legislation was passed, preventing the Americans from intervening. The fascist side in that conflict, led by Francisco Franco, had the full support of Hitler and Mussolini.

Fig. 2 FDR in 1933

In 1937, China invaded Japan, again bringing up the issue of an intervention by the Americans. The public strenuously disagreed with this idea, and there was an immense backlash. Roosevelt then trained his focus again on domestic defense.

In 1939, World War II began in earnest as Germany invaded Poland. With this development, the Neutrality Act was revised to allow France and Britain to purchase arms from the US to replenish the munitions supplies that had been depleted at Dunkirk, Normandy,

Tensions that had been simmering on the continent were beginning to boil, and it appeared that entering the war would become a certainty despite the neutrality and non-intervention policies. 1940 was an election year, and the looming war became a considerable point of contention. While many Americans supported England's fight against the Nazis, they did not want their own country to participate. Roosevelt told his constituents just before re-election: "Your boys aren't going to be sent into any foreign wars."

America Enters WWII: Pearl Harbor

Sadly, this would prove not to be the case. In the form of sanctions, the Americans banned the import of aviation gas and much-needed scrap metal to the Japanese. Moreover, the US openly supported the exit of Japan from China. The Japanese took these acts as the Americans throwing down the gauntlet. The Japanese responded by attacking Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1941. This became the official date of America's entry into World War II, a day that, according to pundits, would "live in infamy."

Fig. 3 Pearl Harbor 1941

The attack on Pearl Harbor damaged the US fleet of warships, with over 300 planes lost. There were over 2,000 lives lost, and over 1,000 were injured. On December 8, 1941, the US declared war on Japan and became allied with Britain and France. In response, Italy and Germany officially declared war on the United States.

America's contribution

Production

One of the biggest contributions the US made to the war was that of production. Though unprepared for the challenges of a sudden and unexpected war, the Roosevelt regime quickly prioritized consolidating raw materials. They made purpose-built synthetic rubber factories where goods were produced. Gasoline and clothing were rationed based on the number of family members in a home.

By 1944 US production rates were more than double that of all the allied countries. While their husbands were being drafted or shipped abroad into the theatre of war, 12 million American women went to work in factories. The name "Rosie the Riveter" became synonymous with women who entered the workforce doing labor traditionally reserved for men, breaking new ground and shedding old stereotypes.

Fig. 4 Women in the Airforce

A Shameful Chapter

At this juncture, America entered a dark and shameful chapter in its history, the full scope of which only later became apparent. Executive Order 9066 was put into effect by President Roosevelt. This order effectively relocated and incarcerated 120,000 people of Japanese descent, who were then placed in internment camps, depriving them of their human rights. Two-thirds of these prisoners were US citizens. These residents of the West Coast lost their homes and livelihoods, even though the FBI had already arrested all those suspected of wrongdoing.

Changes in America

During World War II, America underwent several salutary social and economic changes that would persist after the war. The presence of women and minorities in social life, as well as that of underaged folks and seniors, increased significantly during the war. African-Americans, especially, made great strides in gaining rights and a place in public life.

Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802 in 1941. This order offered protection to minorities against discrimination in job training programs. In 1941, Roosevelt helped form the United Nations and 26 ally countries. In 1945, delegates from 50 nations signed a charter to make the UN permanent.

Fig. 5 Executive Order 8802 Poster

Just before the end of the war, Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt met at the Yalta Conference in Crimea, discussing how Germany would be divided among the allies and reminding Stalin of his promise to join the US in the war against Japan. Roosevelt died in April 1945. On September 2, 1945, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the war.