Dark Times in History: World War II and The Great Depression

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Dark Times

World War II which happened from 1939 to 1945 was the largest armed conflict in human history. It spanned over six continents and caused over fifty million deaths inclusive of both civilians and military personnel (Brinkley). The second war gave life to new problems. One major result of World War II was the start of the Great Depression. The depression brought Hitler to the zenith and helped the democracy of Germany and Europe. It was also instrumental in propelling Japan into conquest (Roberts). World War II also ended America’s isolation from the rest of the world which resulted in the formation of the United Nations (Brinkley). The war began when Nazi Germany attacked Poland in September 1939. Even then the United States had stood their grounds and decided not to intervene. Eventually, they did when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, in December of 1941. The start of World War II led to many unthinkable events. Many lives were lost and more importantly Japanese Americans were subjected to living in internment camps. Japan joined forces with the Allied powers but, played a small role in fighting German forces in East Asia. After a Paris Peace conference of 1919, Japan’s aim of making peace was shunned by Britain, Australia and the United States. World War II was by far the most horrific tragedy of its time and signified the end of a brutal and bloody war over democracy.

On the morning of December 7, 1941 Japan committed the unthinkable, they bombed the naval base of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The Japanese had launched their planes from a point of 220 miles of Oahu and the impact was catastrophic (Lyons). Needless to say Pearl Harbor was disastrous for Americans but, could have been far more defective. The attack on P...

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...suit to be heard and be treated as the humans that they are. By means of screening out disloyal Japanese Americans they were given questionnaires and eventually they were released. They were also ordered not to return to the west coast. The last internment camp had not closed its door until the year 1946 and no reparations were made to the Japanese people who were robbed of their livelihood, possessions and civil rights. Once all the camps were closed, the government gave each Japanese American fifty dollars per family. In all that the internees endured there was never any proof of them committing treason or espionage. Fast forward to the present day, Americans are ashamed of the injustices that robbed the Japanese of their constitutional rights. The need to intern the Japanese stemmed from Americans portraying and referring to them as animals or less than human.

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