American Economy During World War II Essay

Prior to its entry in the Second World contend, the unite States asumed an isolationist (neutral) status by the 1930s even though the threat of war was looming over Europe and Asia with the nip and tuck of militarism when democracies in these regions failed to address the economic problems they were having which were similar to the US. Through the efforts of President Franklin D. Roosvelt, the US took a more democratic approach in addressing the socio-economic problems created by the colossal Depression called the New Deal and this saw the the Statesn economy stepwise recovering and the confidence and self-esteem of individual citizens returning.When the US entered World fight II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, America committed itself to total war. The entire nation was mobilized but it was not merely limited to raising an armed force and preparing it for combat, it was getting every sector of Ameri rear end society involved. Even those who did not servicin g in the armed forces had significant roles to play, especially in the economic aspect of the war.Rationing became the average as food issue and resources had to be redirected to support Americas chargeing forces. This was in line with an aphorism alluded to Napoleon that an army travels on its stomach (cited in Murray & Millet, 2000). Despite the rationing, the home front did not hurt considerably from food shortage compared to those in the occupied countries of Europe or Asia where German and Japanese forces would confiscate their foodstuffs and commodities to feed their own people and oblige their war effort.Nevertheless, it showed that these nations too were exceeding their requirements and were resorting to pilfering the resources of the occupied territories, depriving the local inhabitants of their needs and cause deaths from starvation in these countries. American farmers were up to(p) to exceed their expectations by producing considerably higher outputs following the end of the First World War. They were to produce large volumes of foodstuffs that American forces overseas were amply federal official and had plenty to share to their allies.It was because of this that the United States became known as the Granary of Democracy. (Murray and Millet, 2000, 530) America was besides known as the Arsenal of Democracy. Even before the start of the war, the United States was already rearming as there was already cooperation between government and industry. Despite the isolationist stance and consignment to peace, there was still that commitment to develop and employ spic-and-span weapons to keep pace with the changing times and not become stagnant or their weapons obsolete.Americas entry into the war, the transition of its industries to war production was smooth, owing the to relationship between the government and businesses. Not only was it able to amply supply their armed forces, they had surplus material that they distributed to their allies as w ell (Murray & Millett, 2000, 533). Contrary to what others thought, that women took over the factories when all the men left to fight the war not all able-bodied men were called up to serve in the military.There were a considerable number of them kept to parent the production of the industries as they churned out war machines for use by their competitiveness forces. The government ensured there was balanced distribution of able-bodied males in the work force so as not to completely cripple their economy as opposed to the Axis nations that committed its able-bodied men to fight, leaving women and the less-abled to extinguish their economies (Murray & Millett, 2000, 544-545). In conclusion, the economy of the United States was prepared for wartime production mode.They were aware of the evolution threats the world was facing and prepared accordingly. Ironically, the war solved the problems caused by the gravid Depression by providing people much-needed jobs and made them productiv e again. Americas strategic grographic location of being bordered by two slap-up oceans shielded it from the ravages of war which prevented it from reaching its shores. The shift to a wartime economy also underscored the commitment of the American people in fighting for a further cause.They believed that their cause was just and fully committed themselves to it regardless of their role from pay ones taxes to working continuously in the factories. One did not have to serve in the military to prove their patriotism and commitment to the war and the people on the home front demonstrated it and it can be seen that their contribution of keeping Americas fighting forces fed and supplied with everything the need to fight was instrumental to final victory.ReferenceMurray, W. & Millett, A. R. (2000). A War to be Won Fighting the Second World War. Cambridge, Massachusetts Harvard University Press.