Interwar and World War II United States

This page about the history of the US during WWI and WWII. For the main article of this character, see United States of America.

United States of America Civitates Foederatae Americae
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General Information
Aliases:	Savior of the World
Time of Exist:	6 April 1917-2 September 1945
Government:	Federal Presidential Republic
Languages:	no official language. National: English (de facto) American English
Affiliation:	Allied Powers Entente Powers
Religions:	Almost all religions, especially: Christianity Protestantism Catholicism Orthodoxy Oriental Orthodoxy Judaism Islam Sunni Shia Hinduism Buddhism Mahāyāna Theravāda Vajrayāna Neo-Paganism Native Religions Sikhism Agnosticism Atheism
Relations and Opinions
Friends:	United Kingdom China Soviet Union France Belgium Netherlands Norway All of the Allies
Enemies:	German Empire Nazi Germany Empire of Japan Fascist Italy Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire
Likes:	Guns, nukes
Dislikes:	Surprise attacks, getting involved
Historical Information
Preceded By:	Progressive Era
Succeeded By:	Cold War in the United States

In both of the World Wars, United States’ participation radically advanced the progress of his allies. The US fought side by side by the Entente Powers and Allied Powers , he absolutely destroyed the German Empire, and played an very important role in defeating the Nazis and the Japanese.

History

World War I

Is Neutrality Really Worth It?

At the outbreak of the war in 1914, the United States initially pursued a policy of neutrality, aiming to avoid entanglement in the conflict engulfing Europe. However, as the war progressed and tensions escalated, maintaining neutrality became increasingly challenging. Plus, unrestricted submarine warfare conducted by Germany, which led to the sinking of civilian ships including the Lusitania in 1915, which resulted in American casualties and escalating anti-German sentiment.

Towards the end of WWI, the German Empire deployed Lenin to Russia and kicked him out of the battlefield. This made German Empire very confident, but there was another rising power in the west. German Empire sent a telegram, called the "Zimmermann Telegram" to Mexico, asking him to for a military alliance against the United States.

This was America's last straw.

Into the Battlefields

The formal entry of the United States into the war came on April 6, 1917, after President Wilson's request to Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. Wilson framed the conflict as a crusade to make the world "safe for democracy," appealing to both idealistic and pragmatic sentiments. The U.S. military, initially small and underprepared, underwent rapid expansion and mobilization. The Selective Service Act of 1917 authorized the draft of millions of American men, significantly bolstering the ranks of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) under General John J. Pershing.

The AEF played a crucial role in the latter stages of the war, particularly in 1918, providing fresh troops and much-needed support to the exhausted Allied forces on the Western Front. American forces participated in several key offensives, including the Battle of Cantigny (the first major American battle and offensive), the Battle of Belleau Wood, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, which was one of the final and most significant operations leading to the armistice on November 11, 1918. The presence of American troops helped to shift the balance of power, boosting Allied morale and contributing to the ultimate defeat of the Central Powers.

Home Front

On the home front, the war effort prompted significant economic and social changes. The U.S. government mobilized industry through the War Industries Board, ensuring efficient production and supply of war materials. The war also spurred advancements in technology and manufacturing, while propaganda campaigns encouraged public support and participation in the war effort. Furthermore, the conflict had lasting impacts on American society, including the acceleration of the Great Migration, as African Americans moved northward for war-related jobs, and the advancement of women's rights, highlighted by their critical contributions to the workforce and the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment granting women's right to vote.

End of the Great War

In the aftermath of the war, President Wilson played a key role in the Paris Peace Conference and the drafting of the Treaty of Versailles, advocating for his Fourteen Points and the establishment of the League of Nations. Despite Wilson's vision for a lasting peace and a new international order, the U.S. Senate ultimately rejected the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, reflecting a return to isolationist tendencies. Nevertheless, America's involvement in World War I marked its emergence as a significant global power and set the stage for its future international engagements.

World War II

The United States' involvement in World War II was pivotal in determining the outcome of the conflict and reshaping global politics. Initially adhering to a policy of neutrality, the U.S. sought to avoid entanglement in the growing hostilities in Europe and Asia throughout the 1930s. This stance was solidified through a series of Neutrality Acts aimed at preventing the kind of entanglements that had drawn the nation into World War I. However, as Axis Powers expanded aggressively, President Franklin D. Roosevelt began to prepare the country for the possibility of war, emphasizing the need to support the Allies through measures like the Lend-Lease Act of 1941, which provided critical aid to nations like Britain and the Soviet Union.

The turning point for American involvement came on December 7, 1941, when Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This devastating assault resulted in significant loss of life and damage to the Pacific Fleet, galvanizing American public opinion and prompting a swift response. On December 8, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan, and shortly thereafter, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States, bringing America fully into World War II on both the Pacific and European fronts.

In the European Theater, American forces initially focused on the North African Campaign, successfully pushing Axis forces out of the region by 1943. The subsequent invasion of Italy marked a crucial step in weakening Axis positions in Europe. One of the most significant contributions came on June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, when Allied forces, including a substantial number of American troops, launched the largest amphibious invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy, France. This operation was a turning point that led to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control. American forces continued to advance through France and into Germany, playing a key role in the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany in May 1945.