U.s. -led Interventions During World War II - 1586 Words

Since World War II, America has often been considered and called upon to serve as the world’s policeman. But is it a role we have performed effectively – and perhaps more importantly, is it one that we should continue to play? With opinion polls showing the American people’s overwhelming reluctance to serve a military role in foreign countries, it is time to consider whether the title of â€Å"world’s policeman† is one we should keep. Studying American interventions in the world since WWII offer some lessons and insights into both America’s desire – and ability – to police the world, and leads to the unavoidable conclusion that we are the only nation capable of preventing the all-too common atrocities, genocides and acts of aggression that destabilize continents and create untold human suffering. Of the dozens of times America has chosen to get involved in foreign countries in the last 60 years, several stand out as obvious successes, including U.S.-led interventions in Korea, Kosovo and Lebanon. In addition, there are several well-known examples of seeming failure, as well as numerous outright refusals to become involved in the affairs of another nation. Each of these – successes, failures and refusals to act – help to answer the important question of what role America should assume in coming decades. Kosovo, a region in Yugoslavia, was one example of America’s success in policing atrocities, acts of aggression and humanitarian crisis created by foreign governments. In 1997,Show MoreRelatedThe End Of The Great War1518 Words   |  7 PagesIt is the Second World War, which had the greater impact on America’s place in the world and elevated the country to have a status of Superpower. However this would not have been the case without the consequences of the First World War and America’s reluctance to drop its policy of isolationism as a result of this. James Cronin comments, â€Å"the ending of the Great War was the occasion for perhaps the grandest vision, though it’s implementation would largely fail†¦World War II offered another chanceRead MoreLumumba s Alliance With The Soviet Union1016 Words   |  5 Pagesshortly thereafter and was tortured before being sent to Katanga to death. His death sparked an international outrage with demonstrations b eing held in New York and London. (Nzongola-Ntalaja 69). On 21 November 1961, the UN took a more proactive stance during the Congo Crisis with Resolution 169. This resolution gave the UN military forces the right to use all the force necessary to maintain law and order and assist the central government of the Congo. It also vehemently rejected the Katanga government’sRead MoreUnited States Foreign Affairs Between 1914 and 19451289 Words   |  6 PagesThe evolution of the United States’ foreign relations between 1914 and 1945 can be described as a turbulent teenager coming into her own; a coming of age. In the early portions of the three decades, like most teenagers, the U.S. was solely focused on herself and on rare occasion looked outside her own door to see how the lives of her neighbors and family (Europe) were being impacted by events. There is a belief that so goes Wilson, so goes the United States foreign policy. This can likely be saidRead MoreThe World s Foreign Policy1593 Words   |  7 PagesAs the world turned over into the 20th century the threat of war could be seen throughout European countries. Tensions arising from alliances, the arming of nations, and the deep seated hatred still present from past loses were all too present. In late July of 1914 the powder keg that was Europe would erupt and the countries would be pushed into the fires of war. However, the United States of America would stand on the sideline for some time before becoming involved in an affair they had no careRead MoreThe Direct Effect of World War II Essay680 Words   |  3 Pagessaid that World War I would be the war to end all wars; unfortunately U.S. President Woodrow Wilson was wrong. In 1939 Germany invaded Poland and the global conflict, World War II, began. Fought from 1939 to 1945, World War II consisted of the Allied Powers and the Axis Powers. The Axis Powers were led by Germany, Japan, and Italy. The Allied Powers were led by the United States, Britain, France, and several other countries. In total, over sixty million people were killed, making World War II the deadliestRead MoreThe War Of World War II1638 Words   |  7 PagesWorld War II was the most widespread war in history and it directly involved more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. This war lasted from 1939 to 1945. The war pinned the Axis nations which were Germany, Italy, Japan versus the Allied nations which were led by Britain and its Commonwealth nation, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States. The Allies were victorious in the War. It was one of the most significant periods of time in the 20th century. The war resultedRead MoreKorean War : The Cold War1598 Words   |  7 Pagesthat had already seen two appallingly destructive and costly World wars, just as the Cold War between the Soviet Union a nd the United States broke due to their ideological differences after World War II, in the midst of the Cold War was the Korean War. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 when the North Korean People’s Army poured across the 38th parallel, a border between South and North Korea, to attack South Korea. The size of the war quickly grew as it began to involve countries like China, SovietRead MoreThe Cold War And The Soviet Union1122 Words   |  5 Pages The Cold War was a state of political hostility between the U.S and the Soviet bloc, the most powerful nations in the world. The two countries fought together as allies in World War II but toward the end of the War the two nations competing ideologies and visions of the post War prevented them from working together. The Cold War was by far the biggest threat to human existence the world has ever seen, although their was never any declaration of War between the two competing nations, the SovietRead MoreThe United States During World War II1248 Words   |  5 Pagesrepresentation of the workforce. Over time major world events have changed this unique economy. Wars have been known to have significant impacts on the economy, albeit the impact relies greatly in the government and other economic factors. Before World War II the world was undergoing a Depression caused by decreasing trade and compounding speculation. The United States were hit especially hard by the Depression and in 1939 they were still recovering. With war on the horizon, the US used isolationist policiesRead MoreU.s. Foreign Policy Policies1297 Words   |  6 Pageswill explore how the U.S. intervened in Latin America, more specifically after the World War II. Indeed, the U.S. benefitted greatly from the aftermath of the war. A subsection will be dedicated to the Pink Tide in Latin America, with a focus on the U.S. foreign policy under President GW Bush and President Obama. The overthrown Presidents of Honduras and Paraguay were part of t his movement and their outset signals a reversal in the region. The different policies set by the U.S. must be understood