Originally posted by Mountain Biker
**that may be some what true, but the US didn't show any interest in the war in europe until Japan (germany's ally) attacked them (which was at a later point in the war). as a matter for fact, the united states was happy to sit back and let it happen (probably because they thought it would weaken the soviet block).
The fact that the european jews were saved was probably more of an after-thought than a reason for war. At that time there was a lot of anti-semitism in the united states as well, and the jewish lobby groups were far less powerful than today.
I do believe that the United states involvement was probably pivotal in the war, but the way you put it makes it sounds like they were administering justice, when they were more likely protecting their finacial interests.
All wars are fought for land, or resources. **
The United States, as in WW1, did not want to get directly involved in the conflict in Europe. The US policy was one of isolationism. Yet, they did have to become involved, once again, and did have to provide the "over-the-top" influence to restore stability to the region. What gain did the US have for fighting in Europe? They did not gain any land. The cost, in todays dollars was something like 5 trillion dollars. Thousands of Americans were killed or injured. What did the US have to gain from this? Stability.
As for the US not being involved at all until Pearl Harbour, read up on the Lend/Lease Act. Both Britain and Russia recieved vasts amount of military equipment from the US.
During WW2, there was no Soviet Block. That came after WW2.
Jews were saved because the Allies were the victors. If the war had been more prolonged, or Germany had been a victor, or there was a treuce, there would be no Jews left from the areas Germany occupied. That goes for Roms too, but that's never mentioned because most people haven't bothered to learn about it.
The US was never protecting financial interests. Much more immediate intervention would have occurred if they were. The declaration of war on the US, by Japan, implied that Germany (read: Axis) was at war with the US too.
And yes, the US involvement, from lend/lease to Montenegro to D-Day to the Battle of the Bugle, was very instrumental in the war. Just the addition of US bombing raids on Germany significantly slowed German war materials production.
It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities.
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Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.
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