Question

The United States attempted to avoid World War II when it began. Though the U.S. was aware of both the Japanese aggression in Asia and the German persecution of Jewish citizens (though maybe not to the full extent in either case), most Americans did not want to enter another World War. Was the United States correct in pursuing a policy on non-intervention? Should the U.S. have participated in the Olympics in 1936, or withdrawn completely from all involvement with belligerent countries? Should the U.S. have joined the war before the attack on Pearl Harbor? Why or why not? Please give

Answer 1

The United States' decision to remain non-interventionist before Pearl Harbor was driven by desires to avoid World War I's outcomes, public and Congressional support for neutrality, and economic concerns. Despite this, President Roosevelt provided indirect support to the Allies. The attack on Pearl Harbor served as the definitive reason for U.S. entry into World War II.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question of whether the United States was correct in pursuing a policy of non-intervention before the attack on Pearl Harbor is complex and depends on various perspectives. The primary objective was to avoid the tragedies that were associated with World War I. Events such as the 1936 Olympics and the decision to restrict trade with Japan reveal a nuanced approach to international affairs. On one hand, participating in the Olympics could be seen as a display of normal diplomatic relations, while on the other hand, trade restrictions were a way of responding to aggression without direct intervention.Americans feared the costs of another war, both in human lives and economically. Senator Gerald P. Nye and others argued that the U.S. should avoid being drawn into international conflicts. As a result, Congress and the public largely supported neutrality. However, President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized the threat posed by totalitarian regimes and sought to aid the Allies. The U.S. attempted to balance these concerns by becoming the 'arsenal of democracy' and bolstering its economy while trying to stay out of direct conflict.Arguments for intervention included the moral imperative to aid those suffering under oppressive regimes and the strategic interest in preventing the domination of Europe and Asia by hostile powers. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, ultimately forced America's hand, leading to a full-scale involvement in World War II. With hindsight, historians and policymakers debate whether earlier intervention might have lessened the war's destruction or whether it would have drawn the U.S. into an extended conflict with higher costs.