can someone help me with this ww2 question?

Question

In terms of defending America's national interests, which do you think was the most critical front in WWII, the European theater or the Pacific?

Answer 1

This one is tougher than first glance. Good question.

The USA was basically an isolationistic country coming out onto the world scene. Japan had attacked the USA so we had no choice in the matter of going to war with Japan. Japan was not that hard of an enemy to defeat given they had the same logistic problems the USA had. Now it's down to a war of attrition and Japan was the smaller country. The USA could out produce anyone on anything regardless of war or peace time and it was very evident during the war.

Germany and it's allies are a little different. Roosevelt wanted war with them. Germany obligated by declaring war on the USA. Logistically, this was an easier front than the Pacific. The combined weight of the USSR and the USA would mean the defeat of Germany without a doubt.

In terms of America's national interest. Japan was the big threat. This sounds a little strange, but when you look at a globe, the USA is surrounded by water. Germany had a navy with u-boats. Technology defeated these fairly easy. Japan had a more integrated naval force with aircraft carriers to submarines. A harder naval force that could project naval power, if directed. Japan did a couple of good offensive attacks and then pulled into a defensive posture after The Battle of Midway. Then it was downhill with poor Japanese leadership.

Answer 2

The Pacific was a physical threat, the European theater an economic threat. Both were critical.

Answer 3

The Pacific. this was due to the japanese being able to take over "island countries" which could lead to Hawaii, which they proved they could already hit, and then it would just have been easy to get to our mainland shores. And they did, if you check up in Astoria Washington, and a few other Pacific states. They had even sent giant balloons with fire capabilities that did start a few small fires in Pacific states forests.

Answer 4

The Pacific. Germany had little ability to reach us. The Jap navy and airforce were willing and capable. They needed what we had. The Germans could use it, but did not have the capability to do anything about it. The Pacific was a Japanese lake.

Answer 5

Of the two, the European theater.

Answer 6

As far as I know, the Germans did far greater damage alongside the american coasts, with their U-boats. Strategically, Europe was far more important than Japan. (yet, not such an immanent threat)

Answer 7

the Pacific why japan had aircraft carriers they could have hit the west coast

Answer 8

Pacific...it is the only one where US possessions were in direct jeopardy.

Japanese movements directly threatened US petroleum sources.

Answer 9

The pacific.Additionally,WWII in 'Europe' ruined the economy of 'Britain'.They won nothing.