How did Americans feel about World War 2 in the 1940s?

Question

I'm writing an essay about how we can learn from our actions in World War 2 and apply them to our current situation in Iraq. One of my points is how enthusiastic the people are about the war they're involved in and how it affects the outcome. So, were Americans unhappy with the U.S.'s involvement in the 1940s as they were in Vietnam in the 1970s and Iraq now? If not, what was the general attitude?

Answer 1

The attitude was one of grim determination, due to the attack on Pearl Harbor. This was the first time in modern history that we had been attacked on foreign soil by another nation. The hostility towards Japanese Americans was such that most were rounded up into detention camps, a shameful page in our history. Kindly remember also that the US Congress declared war on Japan soon after Dec. 7, and then Germany, as Japan's Axis ally, declared war on us. Before the war, there were a sizable number of isolationists, including Charles Lindberg, as well as people who admired Hitler, such as Henry Ford. There were even pro-German rallies before the war by Nazi sympathizers. The attack extinguished this sort of activity almost overnight.

Answer 2

the entire nation was engaged in the war.

every member of the nation was reminded daily due to rationing of gas, rubber, steel and other thing or they worked directly for a factory producing war related products.

the idea that we would send troops into combat before they were properly trained or equipped was completely unheard of.

the big difference between WWII and now is that america was 100% on a war footing in WWII. there was no question about national priorities.

now it almost seems as though the administration would prefer everyone not really be aware of the fact that there is a war going on.

Answer 3

Anti-war proponents were rara avis in the first half of that decade.
The Korean 'police action' changed that somewhat but it was still an uncommon thing to find anybody who was vehemently opposed to our United Nations sanctioned involvement, thanks to the recent (then) change of the Soviet Union from ally to 'cold war' enemy.
The overwhelming majority of Americans were so incensed by Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor that patriotism was widespread.

Answer 4

America was reluctant to get involved right up until the Japs had the audacity to 'sneak' attack us. It turns out that Roosevelt probably wasn't as surprised as most people. After the attack, IT WAS ON!!! They killed 1800 of our sailors in cold blood so we burned down their entire country and dropped two nukes on them. We Americans seem to have a problem with measured response.

Answer 5

they were really involved. war bonds, rationing, donations. all for the war effort

but before we were bombed at pearl harbor, we wanted nothing to do with europe, most people had an isolationist attitude. ww2 brought us out of that

Answer 6

we are no longer chickening out. we are advancing in yet another route" familiar MacArthur we favor to get the hell over there. the faster we clean up this Goddamned mess, the faster we are able to take a touch jaunt hostile to the red pissing Japs and clean out their nest, too. before the Goddamned Marines get each and each of the credit." ~ familiar George S. Patton, Jr (This politically incorrect speech became given to Patton's troops on June 5, 1944