For The Second World War, Pay Special Attention To The

For The Second World War Pay Special Attention To The

For the Second World War, pay special attention to the origins of the war. The end of the first world war left Germany broken and France and England at the top of European politics. But the war had taken a terrible toll on the French especially. The rise of Hitler and Mussolini is linked to this dynamic. America itself had little interest in European Politics, and it took an external attack to draw them into the war.

Read more on it then answer the following: 1. What was FDR's approach to fixing the depression? What did he use to gain the country's confidence? 2. What were the main differences in goals between the First and Second New Deals?

3. How Successful were the new deals in doing what they set out to do? 4. What was America's initial attitude to the war? What did it take for Americans to support joining the war?

5. What were the primary reasons for Dropping Nuclear ordinance on Japan? How did Russia play into the decision?

Paper For Above instruction

The causes of the Second World War are deeply rooted in the aftermath of World War I, a period that destabilized Europe and set the stage for future conflict. The Treaty of Versailles, which ended WWI, imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany, fostering economic hardship and national humiliation. These conditions created fertile ground for extreme nationalist movements, notably Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party, which capitalized on public discontent to gain power. Similarly, in Italy, Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime promoted aggressive expansionism as a means to revive national pride. The collapse of empires and the failure of the League of Nations to maintain peace further destabilized the continent, emboldening Axis powers to pursue territorial conquest.

America's initial stance towards the emerging global conflict was one of neutrality. The Great Depression had left the U.S. focused inward, aiming to recover economically and avoid the entanglements of European conflicts. Nonetheless, increasing aggression by Axis powers, including Japan's invasion of China and Italy's campaigns in Africa, gradually shifted American attitudes. The attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 was a pivotal moment that galvanized American public opinion, leading to full-scale involvement in WWII.

The internal political landscape in the U.S. was also shaped by Franklin D. Roosevelt's (FDR) response to the Great Depression. His approach centered on comprehensive federal intervention aimed at economic recovery, primarily through his New Deal programs. FDR used fireside chats, mass communication, and legislation to restore confidence among Americans and demonstrate that government could actively address economic woes. These efforts included reforms like banking regulations, social security, and job creation projects, which collectively aimed to stabilize the economy and rebuild public trust.

The New Deal comprised two main phases: the First and Second New Deals, each with distinct goals. The First New Deal (1933-1934) focused on immediate relief and recovery, establishing agencies like the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Public Works Administration to reduce unemployment. The Second New Deal (1935-1938), however, shifted towards long-term reforms targeting structural economic issues, including the enactment of Social Security Act and stronger labor protections. The aims of the second phase also included redefining the role of government in ensuring social welfare.

While the New Deal programs significantly alleviated some economic hardships and reformed banking and labor practices, their success was mixed. Unemployment remained high throughout the 1930s, and economic recovery was uneven. Critics argued that the New Deal did not go far enough in redistributing wealth or ending economic inequality. Nonetheless, it laid vital groundwork for a more interventionist federal government and expanded social safety nets.

Regarding WWII, America's initial attitude was characterized by isolationism and skepticism about entangling alliances. Many Americans favored remaining apart from European conflicts, influenced by the devastation of WWI and the economic difficulties of the Depression. However, several factors shifted public opinion, including the aggressive actions of Axis powers across Europe and Asia. It was the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that ultimately changed attitudes, uniting Americans in support of war. The direct threat posed by Japan's military strike convinced most, and the subsequent declarations of war launched the United States into a global conflict.

The decision to drop nuclear bombs on Japan was driven primarily by a desire to end the war swiftly and decisively. The U.S. aimed to avoid a prolonged invasion of Japan, which was expected to cause massive casualties on both sides. Additionally, the demonstration of nuclear power was seen as a means to establish dominance and leverage in the emerging post-war international order, especially in negotiations with the Soviet Union. Russia's victory over Nazi Germany and its rapid advance into Eastern Europe also influenced American policy. The Soviets’ entry into the war against Japan in August 1945 accelerated the decision to use atomic weapons, seeking to end the Pacific War before Soviet forces could claim significant territorial gains. Overall, the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki culminated a complex strategic calculation involving the desire to save lives, demonstrate military power, and shape post-war geopolitics.

References

1. Kennedy, D. M. (1999). Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945. Oxford University Press.
2. Nurth, J. (2007). The Origins of the Second World War. Routledge.
3. Leuchtenburg, W. E. (1995). Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932-1940. Harper & Row.
4. McNeill, W. H. (1982). The Pursuit of Power: Technologies of Political Control since 1700. University of Chicago Press.
5. Hobsbawm, E. (1994). The Age of Extremes: The Short Twentieth Century, 1914-1991. Michael Joseph.
6. Gaddis, J. L. (2005). The Cold War: A New History. Penguin Books.
7. Schmidt, B. C. (1997). The Political Discourse of American History. Routledge.
8. Jablonski, A. (1990). The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb. Harvard University Press.
9. Walzer, M. (2012). Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations. Basic Books.
10. Rhodes, R. (1986). The Making of the Atomic Bomb. Simon & Schuster.