Matthew Davies

Christopher Case
Eportfolio Assignment
04 May 2015
Eportfolio Assignment 2710
Within the time frame of the course, 1877 to the present, there have been many different
events that have taken place that have shaped America into the nation it is today. However, for
me one event stands out above all others, Americas involvement in World War II. The events
that transpired in World War II would forever change the way the America and the World view
politics, and the effects of the factory society would eventually be the cause of the global
warming issue taking place today.
Although Americas involvement in the Second World War would not take place unit the
later part of the year 1941, World War II would suck America in from the beginning. The Second
World War lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved many countries around the world, some of the
major countries included: Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, France, Australia, Canada, New
Zealand, India, the Soviet Union, China, and the United States of America. Germany, Italy, and
Japan were on one side of the fight label as the Axis, while Britain, France, Australia, Canada,
New Zealand, India, the Soviet Union, China and the United States of America were on the
other labeled the Allies.
On the September 1st, 1939 Germany invaded Poland, which would become to be
known as the major event that started World War II. Only two days following the invasion of
Poland would Britain and France declare war on Germany. On September 17, Soviet troops
invaded Poland from the east. Under attack from both sides, Poland fell quickly, and by early
1949 Germany and the Soviet Union had divided control over the nation, according to a secret
protocol appended to the Nonaggression pact (World War II History, 2009). Not long after
Britains and Frances declaration of war on Germany would Australia, Canada, New Zealand,
and South Africa follow. Very soon after this declaration by Britain and France would the War
become an all out catastrophe, with countless invasions and air strikes from both sides of the
war.
In the first years of the war, America remained uninvolved with the war, standing true to
the promise that Roosevelt had made to keep the United States out of the war. However,
regardless of this promise, the United States had been making many preparations for the war.
Not only was the United States heavily preparing for war, but they were also supplying Britain
with various forms of food, and military supplies. soon after would Hitler and Japan decided to
attack Pearl Harbor and involve the United States completely.
On December 7, 1941, 360 Japanese aircrafts attacked the U.S military base at Pearl
Harbor in Hawaii. This attack by Japan took the Americans completely by surprise and claiming
the lives of more than 2,300 troops. The attack on Pearl Harbor served to unify American public
option in favor of entering World War II, and on December 8 Congress declared war on Japan
with only one dissenting vote. Germany and the other Axis Powers promptly declared war on the
United States (World war II History, 2009). This event and that united America into the Second
World War would change the face of America forever.
The terrible events of Pearl Harbor would affect the people of the American nation
greatly. The successful attack on the American fleet at Pearl harbor shocked the American
people. This shock was compounded in the days that followed by what appeared to be an
unstoppable Japanese advance outward across the Pacific (McClellan 305). The panic of the
attack lead America to do one of the most terrible things the country has ever done, the country

forced people of a certain race into concentration camps. Americas fear of spies, and military
surveillance lead to quick judgment of an individual based on their heritage and appearance.
Regardless of citizenship, Japanese men, women, and children were put on trains and shipped
to camps. Peru Watanabe, Japanese American evacuee from Los Angeles, describing the
events of spring 1942, On May 16, 1942, my mother two sisters, niece, nephew, and I left by
train. Father joined us later. Brother left earlier by bus. We took whatever we could carry. So
much we left behind, but the most valuable thing I lost was my freedom (Source 9). America
stripped its own citizens of their right to freedom based on skin. This is a defining moment that
would shape the way America views freedom forever. The inability for America to see that skin
color or heritage does not define the individual, but the persons actions. Racism unfortunately
has been something that has defined the American nation. The events of Pearl Harbor is one of
the defining moments that proves this.
As America moved forward in the war, it became evident the violence and death toll of
this war would be like no other save the American Civil War. However, the deference in this war
was the weaponry used to kill human life. Advancements such as high powered automatic
riffles, air-force guns, and the atomic bomb, had never been used in war, and would forever
change the way America viewed war. This movement in higher technology caused the death of
millions, and placed America as the worlds global power. The Atomic Bomb killed between
60,000 and 80,000 instantly. However, the long-term effects of radiation sickness continued the
death toll for years. The final death toll of the atomic bomb alone calculated at 135,000. This
attack by the United States lead to the end of the war. Heavy casualties sustained in the
campaigns at Iwo Jima (February 1945) and Okinawa (April-June 1945), and fears of the even
costlier land invasion of Japan led Truman to authorize the use of a new and devastating
weapon-the atomic bomb-on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in early August. On
August 10, the Japanese government issued a statement declaring they would accept the terms
of the Potsdam Declaration, and on September 2, U.S. General Douglas macArthur accepted
Japans formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay (World War II History 2009).
The Atomic Bomb launched America into an entirely new global power, and showed how much
destruction one weapon can have on the world. Leading to a whole new way of war, and
showing the evils that come with advancements in technology.
Following the Second World War factories became the normal, and America began to be
a thriving country again. The biggest issue with the technological advancements was that of
CO2 admission, which would become the mean cause for Global Warming in the future.
Because of World War II, America became a industrial nation. As such, the world today has
continued to evolve in that direction, and the results have been Global Warming. This time
would forever change the face of the earth, between race, advancements on how to kill humans,
and the industrialization of a nation. World War II was the most significant event since 1877 that
has truly shaped the America we live in today.
Significant people
Adolf Hitler: Nazi Leader was one of the most powerful and infamous dictators of the 20th
century. His establishment of concentration camps for Jews, and sought after total global power.
President Truman: President of the United States of America and the individual who authorized
use of the atomic bomb.
Robert Oppenheimer: The individual who invented the atomic bomb.

The Reflection
The events of the Second World War are relevant today because of the America
continues to believe they are the military world power, that advancements in military technology
are at the heart of what America believes to be important, and the industrial industry that causes
much of Global Warming issues we find today was highly developed because of World War II.
The atomic bomb was instrument that lead America to feel it necessary to destroy in order to
solve global issues, We have used it in order to shorten the agony of war, in order to save the
lives of thousands and thousands of young Americans. We shall continue to use it until we
completely destroy Japans power to make war. Only a Japanese surrender will stop
us (Source 7).
The Second World War can be connected with many ideas, concepts, and themes from
other General Education courses. An example of this is in Geography, you can study the areas
of attack during World War II, how many people were killed in which countries, and what
countries were involved. You would also be able to do a project on how the Political Science of
the world was changed by the events of World War II, how race, and religious beliefs played a
role in the war, and what events could reoccur in history.

Work Cited
World War II History. (2009, January 1). Retrieved May 2, 2015.
McClellan, J. (2000). Changing Interpretations of America's Past (Second ed.).
Dushkin/McGraw-Hill.