The US and World War 2
World War 2 was seen as a global war. Japan wanted to be the leader of all of East Asia. The United States lost a lot during this war. World War 2 cost the United States a million causalities and close to 400,000 deaths. September 1, 1939, is when World War 2 started because Germany invaded Poland. The United States and its Allies invaded Sicily in July 1943 and this made Italy surrender in September. Germany didn’t surrender until May 1945. The United States entered the war following a surprise attack by Japan on the U.S. Pacific fleet in Hawaii. The war ended with Depression and unemployment decreased. The United States always wanted to come out on top. the federal government started the secret $2 billion Manhattan Project, so the United States could build a bomb before anyone else. On July 16, 1945, is when the first atomic bomb exploded from the Manhattan Project. During the war, African Americans and Mexican Americans founded new opportunities and jobs in the industry. President Truman's administration thought that the bombs ended wars quickly and avoid costly invasion and the loss of thousands of American lives. Some critics say that the war might have ended even without the atomic bombings. The attack on Pearl Harbor in a major event in history. Women had more freedom during this time. Women were able to work rather than just stay home with the kids. A lot of the men were gone to war so the women had to provide for themselves. The Slogan “we can do it” became very popular during this time. After the war, the women didn’t have the same freedom since men were back home. The “GI Bill” was a law that provided a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans. The law was a big help for veterans and their families. The Bill helped with College tuition, living expenses, low-cost mortgages, low-interest business loans, one year of unemployment compensation.
