Many Americans remained convinced that involvement in World War I had been a mistake and even congress passed a series of Neutrality Acts that banned travel on belligerents’ ships and the sale of arms to countries at war (Foner, 2010). America due to the effect it suffered never wanted to be involved again. In this paper, we will find out how and why the united states accepted the role of a world leader and how it impacted lives both foreign and at home.

Britain being the most powerful country and controlled many colonies dealt with international matters like the one with Germany preventing it from acquiring more territories. Due to the continued demand for territory, France, Britain and Soviet Union united to oppose Germany. In 1939, Germany invaded Poland and Britain and France pledged war since they had vowed to protect Poland but Germany was unstoppable and in no time they had invaded Belgium, Netherlands and even Paris. Britain was left alone in fighting Germany and called on the other countries for support.

In 1940, congress allowed the sale of arms to Britain on “cash and carry” basis and in 1941 the United States became more allied to countries fighting Germany and helped greatly with arms and military aid to Britain and china. According to Foner (2010) Roosevelt also froze Japanese assets in the United States, halting virtually all trade between the countries, including the sale of oil vital to Japan since it attacked part of China. This increased tension between America and Japan but not until the bombing of the Pearl Harbor and this is when America entered into the war. With the entry of America into World War II the war completely changed and many wars against Germany and Japan were won. This is becauseAmerica had much arms and man force since it forced industries to change production and start manufacturing war tool and many migrants who before were not allowed in the military were recruited so as to increase man power and also increased taxes to increase funds channeled to the war. This made America very powerful since it had the machinery and the funds to maintain its army.

During Roosevelt time, America had created atomic bombs and was launched by Truman during Japans attack to show its might. The bombs launched at Nagasaki and Hiroshima greatly destroyed the two cities and led to mass death of both civilians and the Japanese military. Civilians had never been targeted before and America was greatly criticized. Being the only country with an atomic bomb, America was seen as the most powerful and was left to deal with world matters by Britain.Britain informed the United States that because its economy had been shattered by the war, it could no longer afford its traditional international role (Foner, 2010). Britain withdrew its military support and financial aid from Greece and Turkey and United Sates was asked to fill the vacuum by Britain.

Having the most powerful army and air force, the United States was termed as a superpower.  It accounted for half the world’s manufacturing capacity. It was economically stable since major businesses and manufacturing companies profited from the war. These companies being the largest in the worldprovided employment for nearly three quarter of the population reducing the level of unemployment. According to Walter Lippmann “America is to be to the world of tomorrow.”The war had united America as they all had united during the war. All people in America were termed as equal since they had signed an agreement with the three leaders from America, Britain and Soviet Union to let all people have their rights and choose their governments.

Being a super power, the United States was to protect the rights of the people worldwide and when Soviet Union violated those rights it was to deal with it.  America embraced the cold war in 1947 when Soviet Union was violating the future freedom of the world. The states had to shoulder the responsibilities of free world countries whenever they were threatened by the Soviet Union. They gave the countries financial support to defeat their enemies and this burden went to the tax payers since tax had to increase. This led to the creation of the Marshall Plan to help promote capitalism in developing countries.

Since America was the reason of Japans crumble, it was to help in its economic reconstruction and by 1950s the recovery was in full swing. Also the United Nations was created to prevent future war and maintain peace. All the countries had to sign and America not being used to be controlled termed this as a price to pay for peace. Human rights organizations were created and all people gained their freedom and rights were protected. Strong language was prohibited and discrimination on the basis of sex, race and religion.

After the war, the Americans were not ready to be involved in another war but being a super power, it had to be involved in the Korean War. More than 33,000 Americans died a price that had to be paid.

America established military bases in Japan making it strong so as to prevent future threats and deal with anything quickly. America also had to drop its colonies from pressure as free world could not be achieved without independence but it had a difficult time convincing the other colonial powers to free their empires.

Due to involvement in the world, America created branches like the Central Intelligence Agency and the Defense Department. Art could no longer be funded since the government needed to reduce expenditure though the government still funded it secretly. This somehow affected it. Artist became political and CIA promoted art school so as to produce arts criticizing the communists. The government due to the cold war became dishonest to the people and human rights were violated as freedom of speech was not freely expressed like before.

After the war, the number of military was reduced as some went back to be civilians. The number of divorces increased due to the changes that had happened during the war. Ex- soldiers were helped by the introduction of the GI bill. They went back to school, got mortgages and even employment though this led to unemployment in women who had taken up men jobs.  Fair employment was practiced without discrimination though discrimination was not fully over in the U.S. the blacks still experienced discrimination and always ganged up to fight for their rights.Military industrial bases were made permanent and decisions and projects made by the government were mainly based on national security and all this due to the cold war.The United States was never the same again.

Though many negative changes in America were experienced due to the war, there were also positive ones as there was development in agriculture and also increase in employment. Development increased since cities emerged, living improved as many families owned T.V sets and would know what went on in the country and the world and also watch advertisement leading to growth in companies as goods were sold. Many vehicles were manufactured as people were able to afford them. Women who were greatly unemployed after the war now got employment and as the modern women, they worked part time so as to take care of their families later. Racism greatly reduced as the government viewed all people as equal and could attend any institution and all were allowed to vote.

After undergoing the war and emerging as a super power, it experienced many changes both negative and positive. Being a super power had negative changes in it as major decisions made were influenced by its decision. Later after the war, America greatly developed making life better for most people.

Reference

Foner, E. (2010).Give Me Liberty: An American History. (Ex: 3rd Ed.).

 
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