The USA and World War II

general courses

The Second World War made the United States a global Superpower-at least until 1948. This course focuses on those elements of American internal and international situation, which caused USA to enter the war and enabled it to play a decisive role in the Allied victory. On the basis of American documents, press materials, and memoirs, typical attitudes of political and military elites will be discussed.

The World War II made the United States a global superpower, even if that term was then not in use. During that war the U.S.A. went a long way from slightly pro-Allied neutrality to the full-scale and decisive participation. It was American armed forces that fought the battles on the land and sea as well as in the air on all (except Eastern) the fronts of that war. And since 1940 the U.S.A. became, still a neutral nation, a real "Arsenal of Democracy" supplying the Allies with all war-material they desperately needed. That role was played by the United States up to the very end of hostilities in 1945. Thye decisive role of American forces in the campaigns of the Atlantic and Pacific, in North Africa, South and West Europe as well as the one of American "rear areas" (in broad sense) made the U.S. number one among Allied Powers. At the end of war the possession of A-bomb heralded to the humanity the beginning of an era of Pax Americana. Soon, however, the situation was to change dramatically in that respect and for next forty years the world was to be a bi-polar one in the political sense.

The course will focuss on the internal and external factors that made possible for the U.S.A. to play the above-mentioned role. The American debates over neutrality of 1939-41 and the changes of situation that brought about the acceptance by mostly isolationist public opinion of the war as necessary in 1941 as well as the most important campaigns, military and political will be discussed as well. On the basis of - mostly American - source materials like the diplomatic and state papers and documents,speeches of politicians, newspaper articles, political writings and memoirs, the following problems will be analysed:

- American debate over neutrality in 1939-40

- The gradual shift towards pro-Allied position of the F.D. Roosevelt Administration

- The role of the Far Eastern conflict in making America enter the war

- War in the Pacific and Far East: problems with the enemy and with the Allies

- Japanese-Americans and their "relocation": the civil rights in the time of war

- American role in the North African and European campaigns

- The "Big Three" 1941-43

- Yalta and Potsdam 1945: shaping the postwar world

- The A-bomb and the superpower status

-Byrd Hoyle Martha, A World in Flames. A History of World War II, New York 1970

-Leckie Robert, Delivered from Evil, New York 1987

-Rey John, The Second World War. A Narrative History, London 1999

- Spector Ronald H., Eagle Against the Sun, New York 1985

Materiały źródłowe:

* Annals of America Chicago 1976, t.16

* Henry S. Commager (ed.) Documents of American History, 9th edition, Englewood Cliffs, N.Jersey 1973, t. 2

* Richard i Beatrice Hofstadter (ed.) Great Issues in American History, N.York 1982, t.3

* Michał Rozbicki i Krzysztof Michałek (ed.) A Selection of Sources on the History and Culture of the United States of America Warszawa 1994

* Michi Nishiura Weglyn, Years of Infamy. The Untold Story of America's Concentration Camps Seattle 1996

* Louis H. Brereton, The Brereton Diaries, N.York 1946

* William D. Leahy, I Was There, N.York 1950

* Douglas MacArthur, Reminiscences N.York 1964

* Henry Morgenthau, Germany Is Our Problem N.York 1945

* Robert Murphy, Diplomat Among Warriors, Garden City, N.York 1946

* George S. Patton, War As I Knew It, N.York 1947

* Joseph L. Stilwell, The Stilwell Papers, N.York 1948

* Harry S. Truman, Memoirs, N.York 1953, t.1

KNOWLEDGE

a/ Has a general knowledge of Word War II history and the role of USA in that conflict

b/ Recognizes the complex nature of relations between the USA and other nations both in the time of American neutrality and after its entry into the war

c/ Analyzes the various meanings and interpretation of American understanding of national interest and that of the humanity

SKILLS

a/ Identifies and recognizes the connections between regional and global role and policy of Great Powers and their neighbors

b/ Is able to explain the reasons of steps taken by US Government during World War II using the acquired knowledge of primary sources

c/ Formulates his/her own judgments concerning interpretations of importance of World War II for the USA and impact of that Power on the course of it

COMPETENCES

a/ Understands and appreciates the role the USA plays in world’s history up to this time as a result of the Second World War

b/ Is able to formulate his/her own opinion on the controversies connected with views on American steps taken during the war

c/ Completes and improves his/her own knowledge of history of US foreign policy since 1939 to now.

Active participation in the classes (40%); presentation on one of the subjects discussed, chosen by student and approved by teacher (30%); 5-page end of semester essay on a subject on a subject accepted by teacher (30%) and a short interview with teacher before the deadline for graduation.

In a case of course taught online only:

Active participation in the classes (30%); presentation on one of the subjects discussed, chosen by student and approved by teacher (25%); quizzes at some classes (20%); and a 5 page end of semester essay on a subject accepted by teacher (25%).