Introduction
Contrary to most beliefs, the participation of the United States in the Second World War was made even prior to the Japanese attack of the Pearl Harbor. Despite its stance of non-participation during the war, the United States has been involved in confidential activities that aided the Allied forces against their adversary. Consequently, its role increased after it declared war against the Japanese forces, following the latter’s attack on the US fleets in Pearl Harbor. Prior to the declaration of war against Japan, the longest serving Secretary of State, Cordell Hull sincerely pointed to the Japanese ambassador: “There can be no serious hostilities anywhere in the world which will not one way or another affect interests or rights or obligations of this country” (qtd. in Utley, 5). While the United States tried to maintain a distance from the war, its leaders remained steadfast in ensuring that hostilities should be stopped. Consequently, the Americans provided overwhelming support such as military, logistics, political and economic backing that served as an advantage to the allied forces.
Military Support
In order to perform better and gain the best advantage in winning the war, the major players in the conflict realized the need for the modernization of weapons and machineries to be used in warfare. The Allied forces won, largely because of the weapons, machineries and war technology that was introduced by the Americans. As pointed out by Richard Overy, the author of the Why the Allies Won, the effective use of “modern technology, against an enemy forced to fight with little air cover, a few tanks, and dwindling quantities of trucks and guns, made the difference between victory and defeat” (qtd. in Harper et al, 3). Before its official involvement in World War II, the United States was considered to be behind other countries in terms of warfare technology. However, after the Pearl Harbor attack, President Roosevelt called for the establishment of the War Production Board sometime in 1942 and the Office of War Mobilization the following year (Demeri, 106). Through these agencies, the United States was able to manufacture a large number of weapons and machineries, and in minimal time, the American industry became the biggest supplier of the military equipment used by the Allied forces.
Strategic Location of Armament Production
When the United States declared war against Japan, the leaders deemed it necessary to fully support the war industry. That is, in order to become victorious, the armaments should not only be financially and technologically supported, but that they must see to it that its main locations are secured. War machinery and equipment production are vital in any warfare, and the industries in the United States were strategically located and secured so as to deter any forms of attack. For example, the main center of production in the US was in the West Coast, so as to protect it from possible attacks from the Japanese forces who may use the sea to stage an assault. While it was unlikely for Japan to do so, the United States deemed it appropriate and necessary to implement precautionary measures to thwart possible attacks.
The Lend-lease Supply to Russia
When Adolf Hitler launched a gigantic assault against Russia in 1941, the latter was already fully supported by its allies. This is especially so with the backing of the Lend-lease agreement that was mobilized through the Grand Alliance. The Lend-lease agreement served as a means for the United States to be able to provide military support to other countries. This act gave an authorization to the president of the US to sign the transfer of military equipments “for the government of any country whose defense the President deems vital to the defense of the United States” (Beschloss, 172). While the United States was not yet directly engaged in warfare in 1941, the Lend-lease agreement allowed it to transfer military supplies to other countries. There are many Americans who were opposed to the agreement, but it nevertheless helped in the victory of the Americans in the end.
Air Power as One Among the Strategic Techniques
The involvement in World War II marked the start of its effort to advance its use of technology to support its air power. It is to be noted that before WWII, the US does not have an independent air force, such that the military was given sole control of the air operations, in the same way that the navy was in charge of it over water areas (Roberts, 277). In 1942, the US bombing started in Europe, although the US Air Forcne were hesitant to stage an indiscriminate attack on cities and towns. However, by using a more accurate warfare equipment such as the B-17, the USAAF was able to attack the enemy in a more precise manner. This was referred to as the precision bombing which is an aerial attack that is deemed to have a certain degree of accuracy, thus limiting collateral damage. The high degree of accuracy was attributed to the use of the Norden bombsight that allows the bombers to safely hover in the air while accurately aiming at the target.
The Naval Power
Just as the USAAF rapidly established its prowess, so was the US Navy Forces, which developed into a tough force during World War II. The US Navy played an important role in the war against Germany, and this started when Great Britain was in desperate need of support during a continuing threat from the German U-boats. In support of the British army, President Roosevelt ordered he US Navy to support the Royal Navy against the submarine assaults, especially in the Western Atlantic. This form of naval support from the United States was carried on secretly because of the President has not yet gained the full support of the public. Accordingly, the secret naval support was eventually known by the Germans, and this prompted them to stage an attack against US owned ships.
The allied forces decided that the best possible way to defeat their adversaries was to start off with Germany and its supporters in Europe, and eventually shift the focus of the warfare in Asia. The reason behind this strategy was that Germany might stage an attack against allied forces in Europe because of their proximity. Consequently, the United States and the British troops decided on a strategy to defeat Germany early on because of it being the major member of the adversaries. One of the strategy was for the United States to exert considerable effort in both the Atlantic and European region. Included in the grand strategy was the proclamation of the US and the British military understood that, despite the involvement of Japan in the warfare, their “view remains that Germany is still the prime enemy and her defeat is the key to victory” (Arnold and Wiener, 215).
Political Contribution of the United States in WWII
The United States maintained an isolationist perspective during the initial stage of World War II. However, circumstances would call, not only for its eventual participation, but also its major role in the war. Politically, it agreed to commit participation, such as allowing its war machineries and soldiers to achieve the greater purpose of the war. Further, it recognized the need to cooperate with other countries such as with the Great Britain and Russia in order to defeat their adversary. Its alliance with these countries proved to be beneficial in defeating the massive and well prepared axis powers.
Conclusion
Despite its non-involvement stance at the beginning of World War II, the United States played a very crucial role during the war. Before President Roosevelt declared war against Japan because of the bombing of US fleets in Pear Harbor, the United States have already provided military support to the allied forces. While the US government did not send its soldiers to actively engage in the war, the Lend-lease agreement where the US lends its armaments and machineries to the allied forces indicated that the US government was not neutral even before it became directly involved in the war. After the declaration of war against Japan, the US government used its air and naval force to stage attacks against the adversaries. Further, it established an agreement with Great Britain about the possible means to defeat Germany and the axis powers. Without the participation of the United States, the course of history in terms of the Second World War would have turned differently.
Works Cited
Arnold, James, and Roberta Weiner. Understanding U.S Military through Primary Sources. ABC-CLIO, 2015. Print.
Beschloss, Michael. Oxford University Press. Oxford University Press, 2006. Print.
Demeri, M. Y. the Rise and Decline of the American Empire. Archway Publishing, 2015. Print.
Harper, Marilyn, John Jeffries, William Tuttle, Nelson Lichtenstein, and Harvard Sitcoff. World War II and the American Home Front. National Park Service, n.d. Print.
Roberts, Priscilla. World War II: The Essential Reference Guide. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Print.
Utley, Jonathan. Going to War With Japan, 1937-1941. Fordham University Press, 1985. Print.
