Final answer:
Initially, Americans were shocked but isolationist towards World War II events in Europe and Asia, avoiding intervention. The attack on Pearl Harbor was the critical moment that shifted the United States from isolationism to direct involvement, leading to national unity against Axis powers and a significant change in foreign policy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Early Reactions to World War II in Europe and Asia
In the early years of World War II, Americans were largely isolationist, shocked by the events in Europe and Asia but hesitant to get involved in another overseas conflict. The rise of Adolf Hitler and the aggressive actions of the Nazis led to World War II, prompting some debate among Americans about what role, if any, the United States should play. However, the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, marked a definitive end to isolationism, as Americans rallied behind President Roosevelt's request for a declaration of war. The attack sparked a newfound unity against the common enemies and fear of further Japanese aggression.
Despite initial shock at the brutality in Asia, the US refrained from intervention after the sinking of the USS Panay. This stance was a part of broader isolationist policies aimed at avoiding entanglement in European crises. However, America's entry into World War II prompted a dramatic shift in both foreign policy and domestic unity, launching the United States into the role of a global superpower and arsenal of democracy for the Allies.