discussion essay

HIST 152 Dr. Shimko

Weekly Reading Guide #5: The Second World War {1941-1945}

The unprecedented attention to freedom as the defining characteristic of American life had implications that went far beyond wartime mobilization. World War II reshaped

Americans’ understanding of themselves as a people…What set the United States apart from its wartime foes, the government insisted, was not only dedication to the ideals of the

Four Freedoms but also the principle that Americans of all races, religions, and natural origins could enjoy those freedoms equally.”—Foner, 884

Description: This week’s chapter focuses on the Second World War. President F. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms—Freedom of speech, of

worship, from want, and from fear (painted by Norman Rockwell)—represented America’s unity at home and greater role on the

international stage. They represented the idea that “American security was global in scope and could only be protected by the

worldwide triumph of core American values” (862). But despite the language of unity, freedom, and equality, there was once again (as

in WWI) a disconnect between the language of democracy and equality espoused by FDR

and the reality, for many, of living in America. Divisions among Americans still remained

regarding the New Deal and unrestricted economy, the racial order, and women in the

workforce. Once again, we see the importance of language as representative of one’s ideals

as the U.S. entered (albeit late) the deadliest war in history and emerged as one of the world’s

two great powers.

America’s role in the war began with a desire for isolationism. Americans and the president

were not eager to enter another world war, and they saw German fascism as a means to

balance USSR communism. Germans dominated nearly all of Europe and North Africa as

fascist nations and their leaders worked together (Hitler, Mussolini, Franco). The U.S.

entered the war slowly by providing supplies through the lend-lease program, but once Pearl

Harbor was attacked they declared war. Most of America’s role in the Second World War

was fought in the Pacific against Japan, but they were an important part of D-Day and freeing

France from Nazi hands. V-E day secured the Allied victory in Europe, but the most

controversial U.S. act was the dropping of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki (by then

Truman was President). Nevertheless, this was a show of U.S. power. The Allied victors

(U.S., Britain, and USSR) laid out plans for the postwar world: establishing a military

administration for Germany, placing top Nazi leaders on trial for war crimes for the atrocities

of the Holocaust, recognizing the Soviet sphere of influence in the East, and creating the

United Nations. Underneath these agreements there was tension between three leaders with

very different goals. This portended a future of problems as two world powers emerged (the other allies needed to recover from the

destruction of their countries): the U.S. and USSR.

At home, war brought about a unity never before seen. Servicemen and women worked together as manufacturing and industry

increased. The government worked closely with business to increase production and manufacturing, which in turn benefited laborers

and unions. The language and talk of freedom to unify the U.S. was incredibly important, and suggested freedom and democracy not

HIST 152 Dr. Shimko

just in the world, but in individual and private lives, including private enterprise. Just like the First World War, equality and freedom

became the “definition of American life” (884). This was particularly so as Americans fought fascism and their emphasis on

ethnic/racial inequality. As a result, FDR embraced and encouraged a pluralist society and “patriotic assimilation.” New immigrants,

Mexicans, and Indians benefited after the war from these ideals. Nevertheless, there were still limits, particularly for Japanese-

Americans. And despite the fact that African-Americans fought in the war for America, they were still not given the same job

opportunities or treatment through the GI Bill; segregation and racial violence remained rampant. This led to the “birth” of the Civil

Rights Movement and finally put racial justice on the liberal agenda.

Helpful Maps: The U.S. fought a two-hemisphere war—see pages 870 and 872 for the battles in the Pacific and in Europe.

Directions: As you read, use the following lists to focus on what is most important. It is easier to know what to look for when there is

so much reading to cover. Remember, you do not have to read every word! Try to focus on the core of what was happening and why it

was significant at the time.

HIST 152 Dr. Shimko

People

Adolf Hitler

Franklin Roosevelt

Benito Mussolini

General Francisco Franco

Axis Powers

The Allies

Winston Churchill

Joseph Stalin

Rosie the Riveter

Navajo “code-talkers”

A. Philip Randolph

Harry S. Truman

Events and Acts of Gov.

Good Neighbor Policy

Neutrality Acts

The Nazi-Soviet pact/nonaggression pact

Bombing of Pearl Harbor

Battle of Midway Island

D-Day

The Holocaust

Zoot Suit Riots

Japanese-American internment

Korematsu v. United States

Second Great Migration

Fair Employment Practices Commission

(FEPC)

V-E Day

Atomic Bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Potsdam Conference

Yalta Conference

Bretton Woods Conference

United Nations

Definitions

Four Freedoms

Isolationism

“Patriotic Assimilation”/Patriotism

Bracero programs

Double-V

An American Dilemma

Manhattan Project

Atlantic Charter