When the United States entered WWI, we did not enter as strong as we could have possibly been. To begin, we were not super prepared. We were on warning and prepared for an attack, but not prepared to be attacked on that specific day. There was already a lack of money and a huge debt that the government had created. While in the United States, the President was faced with the conspiracies that would arise, and the problem of war. Europe was its own world. In German, Hitler was in power. The Jews and German Resistance (anti-Nazi Germans) were persecuted not just for what they believed, but for who they were. In the middle of the sea, "The Land of the Rising Sun" brought a stronger threat with each day's passing..
For most Americans, especially those such as children who were being educated on the subject, the biggest fear was Germany. Hitler was looked at as the unstoppable tyrant that was thought to be strong and courageous. Hitler was the ruler of Europe to his own knowledge. Indeed the Führer was very powerful, with the super strong army had attacked many countries at least each time. Unlike the British the fear and threat of air-raids was a worry but not the greatest, another problem was something that had been drawn out from the last war. The problem of debt was something that had previously not been completely resolved. America did not have too much money to spend on the war they were walking into. Other expenditures due to nuclear testing and research had only added to the bill.
After having viewed a golden age for industrialization in America, the nation would have to prepare to go through a silently noisy war. Not too much information was delivered back home as to any specifics. Though the public would in this war receive more information as to what was happening around the world than they had in any previous war, (hence the fact that we were very aware of the dangers that we faced). The Union was mentally strong. The mentality of most Americans was still stone solid that they would and could do anything they wanted to do and make it great because they were the United States. This was good motivation wise, but not very good to the soldiers which would experience such monstrosity first hand. The fact that America could not solve everything was quite troubling. While some would say not to get involved with Hitler (though everybody somewhat was) the worst thing about the matter was that even if America were to get involved most likely America alone would not be able to stop Hitler. Moral is great until the first defeat. The most important part of a voyage is the suffering of the journey which can tear people down to the point that the worst to those who have not encountered such pain is great for those that experienced the journey.
Kurthen, Hermann & Other Various Artist. Safeguarding German-American Relations in the New Century: Understanding and Excepting Mutual DIfferences. Lexington Books. 2006
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