Connection to the United States
U.S as a World Power
Before the World Wars, Germany was thought to be the peak of an intelligent civilization. They bore greats such as: Einstein, Bach, and Mozart. But as their government collapsed the country became a mockery of a world power. The U.S had to look at this and learn that they must build and solidify a solid foundation before properly considering themselves as a world power.
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Progressive Era
The Progressive era in the United States was something that showed how women and minorities are able to pull their weight in society. Looking at Germany's Aryan policy at the time proved that one can not discriminate against a type of person. Something the U.S had the power and backing to stop long before 1944.
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World War 1
World War I crushed any world power that Germany held. The U.S had performed numerous deeds in the battles and had proven its worth. This greatly effected how, and when, the U.S decided to enter the war. Because of the state that the war left the American population in, many people believed in Isolationism as the foreign policy. But with out the war, we may have been quicker to leave the U.S and fight for the rights of others.
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Roaring 20s
After WWI, the roaring 20's had women demanding rights and growing into new social roles. This change threw America into turmoil. Many Americans believed in going back to traditional values, while the others wished to continue there path forward with progressivism. The European countries where still militaristically inclined. Fighting and thinking in the old ways. This conflicted with the new American values and caused Americans to worry about their values changing because of an involvement in the war. This is false and we would have been able to enter the war and spread our own ideals.
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Great Depression and New Deal
America in the 1930s was a place of poverty and depression. We where fighting a battle that seemed to have no end. Unable to involve ourselves in foreign affairs, we lacked notice of the growing tension in Europe. Had we foreseen this economic crisis, the work force would be much more willing and able to leave their families to fight in Europe.
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Connections to today:
The events before World War II have had affects all the way through modern day. From the UN fighting to end communism, to the views we, as Americans, have on Europe. The lasting affects of women being able to hold jobs equal to men and the civil rights movement in the '50s and '60s. The fight to preserve our nations great democracy can be improved by looking back on these experiences.