Americans only. Anyone think?

Question

It suddenly came to me that the modern day American I feel does not have what the old Americans who won WWII had. The modern American public wouldn't have been able to stomach hundreds of thousands of war deaths. Would the modern American have been willing to send millions into the war as soldiers? Would any of the modern television networks be willing to show the propaganda films that the US used and stuff it about their freedom of press for a while so government secrets won't be leaked via the CNN? Would we have the passion to endure the economic and domestic problems for long terms in order for our government to focus on liberating other nations and stopping threats on our own nation? Would we have elected a president that could actually lead and inspire us? Would we have had the patience to wait years for a breakthrough in the war? With all our whining about the small wars of today I really wonder whether the modern Americans would have surrendered after Pearl Harbor?

I feel the only reason we feel their are lots of deaths in the modern wars is because we actually count the civilian deaths of the enemy, which is so wrong because they are the enemy. A few thousand in 3 years is actually pretty good consider we lost hundreds of thousands in the three years of war in WWII.

You say in modern day we fight to take control of oil fields so there was no reason to fight but there was reason to complain, but when Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor we declared war on not just Japan but we got into war with Germany as well. Wouldn't the modern American be asking why are we fighting Germany? The Germans never wronged us why are we getting into another useless war.

Oh yeah this question is about what if modern Americans were faced with the situation they faced in 1939-1945.

Answer 1

This is a very interesting question! Every war is different, and many will probably respond that Iraq is very different from WWII.

But I have spoken to many who lived trhough WWII and asked if the press, politicians, etc. acted like this back then. They said "never!"

Think of all the slogans they could have had:

Germany never attacked us!
Why didn't FDR ever serve in the military! (He didn't catch polio until he was 39).
Look at all the French civilians we are killing!
We are ruining the environment of the beaches at Normandy!

And the press could have leaked all sorts of government plans, like the Navajo code-talkers.

Yes, there are many legitimate points of debate about Iraq.

But the people today are different too.

More Americans were killed in a training exercise for D-Day than have died in Iraq so far.

Then again, Lincoln was constantly criticized for his mistakes, etc. and conduct of the Civil War, and was predicted to LOSE the 1864 election. But Sherman's victories in the South (which themselves are controversial, and labeled "terrorism," by some) ensured a victory for Lincoln, and the North.

There are legitimate concerns about Bush's use (and possible abuse) of power. Then again, Lincoln and FDR did much more than Bush ever did to curtail civil liberties.

I think many people just think the present war is not necessary.

I also think some people actually find it less "frightening" to think that Bush is evil, and that once he's out of office everything will go back to normal, than to realize that we are facing evil crazies who want to kill us and we have to fight them.

Just some thoughts.

Answer 2

I think that's the good thing about history, to remind us what war is really like, and the price tags that came with said adventures.

I think the US as such is running out of wars to fight. I think the public is finally believing that war might not be necessary in the year 2006. I don't think it's a question of toughness or stomaching economic hardships, I just feel people are much smarter today and will not take the word of their leader for granted much anymore.

As for Pearl Harbor, good question. But there's also the 9/11 analogy. the US technically didn't surrender there either, and I think it was just as, maybe even more shocking than Pearl Harbor. I also believe that it depends on who is in the White House. FDR was an easy man to follow, Bush has the IQ of a grasshopper and has shown such poor leadership that I don't think he could possibly introduce any new wars. What's more, there's no such thing as a draft today... big difference in terms of support for the troops.

Answer 3

Modern America didn't surrender after 9/11/01. What makes you think it would have surrendered after a 12/6/41 type of attack?

Prior to Pearl Harbor, there was a very strong domestic political movement to keep the US out of the war in Europe. This was after the fall of Poland. This was after the fall of France. This was after the London Blitz. Americans didn't want to fight and die in other people's wars back then. It was only when it became America's war that we got involved with more than selling war material.

I think it is as much a mistake to mischaracterize America's population today as to mischaracterize America's population and inclinations back in the late 1930's and early 1940's. I think your question does both.

Answer 4

Most of modern America is too disconnected for it to really matter. Yes, we might know there's a war going on, but it doesn't affect our daily lives. I hate to say it, and I know there's exceptions, but I don't think a significant portion of the county would really care enough to do anything if we had a situation like WWII. The government would probably handle it the same way, and the press would have a field day, but nobody else would really care.

Answer 5

the libs are all about taking the easy way out, so no, they wouldn't have had the stomach to do what previous generations did. we would be speaking either German or Japanese if it was up to them. the world war II generation you referenced was truly the greatest.

but i take heart in the fact that the majority of Americans are still like that, which explains why the libs have lost the last 2 elections. i also believe that the younger generation of today is similar as well. once all the retread hippies from the 60's finish dieing off, the pendulum should start to swing back in the direction of American exceptionalism, patriotism and sacrifice.

Answer 6

We don't fight for others' oil fields. That's a crock. We will assist in the security of the Foreign Country's source of income and economic growth. Protect the oil fields and pipelines and all that, but not for the sake of America wanting free oil. Why would America go to a foreign country, teach that country how to extract their very own resources, then America offer to purchase their oil only to spill blood for their oil? Let's stop believing in what others started. We buy their oil, we don't take it. We taught them how to get it, refine it, and make a living from it. Why would we take something we buy? Is our Country really like that person claims? A villian? No. We help Third World Countries. You are correct in your statement regarding today's America shriveling at the thought of someone dying in war. That's sick to think this is how we are, because politics lead us to believe what others say. I say don't listen, instead just use our own minds, make our own decisions. These people today are fresh immigrants who don't know our History, and they all follow each other as a sign of comraderie. Let's all vote against... because we are all from the same country. That's a crock, also. I truly believe most Americans and/or immigrants need to enlist in our Armed Forces to learn respect, honor and manners. Americans and wanna-be's need to learn about our History, the history of America in War, so perhaps they, too, can understand what is really going on. I would not tolerate any press causing any American Soldier's downfall by taking pictures of an (immoral) action or something like that. That is treason to me. Why would an American journalist want to show our not so nice side? Why would they want to try to get one of our troops in trouble? Treason used to be a firing squad offense. That would have prevented all the Abu Graib Prison crap, Guantanamo stuff, forcing enemies off the bridge and all those actions by American troops who can't tell a combatant from a citizen, troops who face death daily (24-7).

It's so easy to just annialate the enemy, but we have to be politically correct. What a crock. This war would have been over. You think insurgents would continue fighting if everyone associated with them is no longer living or present? Toss a few nukes and it's over. The outcome will soon be forgotten. We move on. It's good to watch Israel fighting our enemy, because we can learn from them. The more we see, the easier it'll be to see how the enemy is being taken care of. Strategies that America will not incorporate in their battle plans. Why not? Bottom line: make the followers enlist and teach them respect for our Country. Look at the immigrants and other non-citizens who have enlisted in our Armed Forces who are becoming eligible for citizenship. This is the fastest way of becoming an American, yet I see a lot of people standing on the sidelines making a lot of noise, instead of being out there on the turf or track performing. Get out of the stands and do your duty as an American.

Answer 7

World War II was supposedly to free the world from a fascist dictator Hitler who was trying to take over the world.

We have never had a real reason- other than control of oil fields, oil pipelines and ports to load oil onto tankers- to go to war. Our President and VP are both big oil barons. And, many have died ( in vain) in these recent wars.
And, our debt is astromical and held by Japan, China, Germany, UK, OPEC, Caribbean Banking Centers, Korea and Hong Kong. In 6 years we have gone from a budget surplus to a huge debt - about $7,000 for each man, woman and child. Who will pay for this?

You do the research to see how many have died in these wars vs. WWII - I think you will be surprised. I do know that the largest loss of life for US wars was the Civil War.

And, don't forget that the military industrial complex is much of our economy?

One death is too many in a useless war.

Answer 8

Yes, I think! I believe you need to do some research on your fact s and then restate your "question". The American Civil War was to one with hundreds of thousands of losses.

If your question is, "Are Americans today the as they were 50 or 100 years ago?", then the answer is no. Do we have the same values? No.

The real problem many of us have is that we judge history by the standards of today and we judge today by our interpretation of history.

Answer 9

Because this war isn't like WWII. Plus, the American public would be skeptical of watching "propaganda" films, unlike their ancestors 60 years ago. But it wouldn't hurt to have a couple of pro-America films here and there just to boost morale.

I think it would be cool if we did the rationing thing like they did back in WWII.....to save up more food for our troops, but now our industries have improved and we have more food to feed ourselves and the entire country of Africa.

Answer 10

bypass lower back many years, and the concept that a Roman Catholic ought to develop into President of the u . s . ought to were unthinkable. Then John F Kennedy proved it ought to correctly be done. only a 12 months in the past, no one (and that i admit this coated myself) concept that a black guy, quite with an unique-sounding call, had any risk of replacing into President. So sure, a Jew ought to develop into President. It merely needs the right guy (or lady) to end up chief on the right time. in the adventure that they have got were given what it takes, it would not remember in the adventure that they are Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Jew, guy, lady, white, black, brown or yellow. Barack Obama has shown that for the period of u . s . of america, each and every thing is definitely conceivable.