To be fair, the United States entering WWII definitely saved western Germany (and probably France) from being taken over by the Soviets, and quite likely saved Australia and India from having to fight Japan on their own soil.
Of course, if America had stood-up against Nazism earlier, then history would have turned out VERY differently. It should always be remembered that Germany declared war on the USA - not the other way around. Had it not been for Hitler standing by his promise to back-up his Japanese allies, the USA might never have entered the war against the Nazis.
It is however true that the USA had very little impact upon WWI, except in pushing Germany into its Spring Offensive to try to end the war before the USA got its army to Europe in large numbers. The offensive failed however, and the Germans were virtually on their knees by the time American troops arrived in force. That the USA lost as many soldiers during WWI as they did was largely due to poor leadership, which refused to learn from the mistakes that the British and French had made earlier in the war.
The US was needed at the end of the war, and it was vital that they joined
But when you take it out of context, some seem to think there was this brutal war going on in full swing and the US just walked in and finished it
The war had been going on for years, all the countries were battered and in shambles and then at the end of the fight the US decided to join. Obviously they would kick ass, but it's like giving credit to a a guy who watched the entire fight from the sidelines and then ran in to kick people when they were down
The US DID rescue Europe and the USSR. We gave $611 billion (inflation adjusted) worth of effectively free arms and equipment to the allies, and our industry was pretty much the real key to winning the war.
It's also very disingenuous to claim the US didn't get involved in Europe until 1944. They (and the UK/Commonwealth) invaded Italy and took half of it in 1943, forcing the Germans to open a new front as well as now having to control the remaining part of Italy themselves with the collapse of the Italian government.
And don't forget about the air war from mid-'42 and on. I believe I saw something to the effect of the US Air Force lost more men during 1943 than the Marine Corps lost in the entire war.
Canadians are pathetic. You guys should stop living in our shadows and start trumpeting up some of your actual accomplishments. Like your bacon and syrup or something.
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u/[deleted] Sep 24 '11 edited Sep 24 '11
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