Do most Americans really believe they 'won' WW2?

Question

I thought it was just the hollywood directors, but after reading some of the views on answers I'm beginning to wonder. While they unboubtedly helped bring it to a swifter close, saving many lives, last time I checked it was Russia that actually caused the most grief and took Berlin, and given how crap the Nazis were at putting a decent economy together it's doubtful they'd have held it together for long anyway. Maybe I just need to read less and watch moe Speilberg...

'The first time politics played in a war'? So what was the peloponnesian war then? A scrap over toga shortage? moron.

ffs sake read the question- I'm not saying America did nothing, nor do I insinuate that- The question relates to the fact that most Americans seem to have a perception that they showed up and basically did everything.

Answer 1

As an American and a history teacher, I have to agree with you. Too many Americans have a perception that the United States won WWII all by itself. They are always amazed when I tell them about the casualties SUFFERED by the Soviet Union, and INFLICTED by the Soviets on the Nazis. One reason the D-Day invasion of Normandy was even possible was that 2/3 of Hitler's forces were on the Eastern Front. This is not to say that the United States did not play a leading role in defeating Nazi Germany; instead, it was one of SEVERAL leading actors.

It is sad, but most Americans (and, I think increasingly, most people of the world) get their knowledge of history from TV and movies. One Hollywood movie after another has highlighted the actions of the United States in WWII, without adequately addressing the actions of other Allied countries. Take the movie "U-571," for example. The sub crew that actually captured the Enigma decoder used by the Nazis were British! But, to make sure the movie would sell in the U.S., the crew was changed to Americans.

In one sense, I think it is natural for a people to highlight their own heroes; in another sense, however, I think it results in a skewed view of history to ONLY highlight your own heroes. I try to give my students a fuller view of the war (and all wars), but I feel I am fighting a losing battle. Given Hollywood's track record, when the story of my losing battle is turned into a movie, the battle will have been lost by some other people...not by Americans.

Answer 2

I am trying to understand you, and failing.

First and foremost it would appear you are thinking in terms of the European theatre alone. As I recall there was a Pacific theatre as well.

As is typical of the "bash America crowd" you choose to highlight what you think supports your view, and ignore the rest.

You are not suggesting that the US supporting the Western front had a minimal impact are you? You say "it was Russia that actually caused the most grief and took Berlin, and given how crap the Nazis were at putting a decent economy together it's doubtful they'd have held it together for long anyway..." This seems to quite directly suggest just that.

Please allow me to humbly suggest that had the US participated less, (remember you clearly suggest while we had an impact, it really did not matter), it is entirely possible England would have joined France as an occupied territory of Germany. Even if that were not the case the UK could not sustain the fight without US involvement, even America haters will have to concede that fact. Because of this fact alone Germany could have committed greater resources to the Eastern front. You can not seriously suggest that had Germany managed to fight on a single front alone things would not have been different?

Frankly I have a difficult time understanding the point of this. Well, not really. There is only one reason to ignore historical facts like you are suggesting. And that is a deep hatred of the US.

And FYI: If I were the US President things would be quite different.

We would not be in Iraq. We would not be in Germany, or Japan, or South Korea, or Taiwan. No, I would not ignore the very clear and distinct parallels between Saddam Hussein and Adolf Hitler. Unlike the European appeasers of the 1930's and the present day appeasers both here and there, I would indeed take decisive action. I would have planted a US Submarine in range of Iraq, and I would send TLAMs in until we finished him. Right now? I would not allow any nation who boldly states they will eradicate another nation for no reason beyond religion. I would eliminate those leaders as well. Had any nation taken those steps in the 1930s or early 1940s we would most likely not have known WW2.

I have plenty of issues with my Government. I frankly despise most of it, but I am also quite capable of maintaining contact with reality as I do so.

Answer 3

I do not think most Americans believe they won World War II, as most who know something about History will recognize the Americans were on the winning side of WWII - the Allies. The Allies included Australia, Britain, Canada, France, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, and many more...

But after reading many answers to questions about the Second World War here on Yahoo Answers it is safe to say many do think the Americans singlehandedly won the Second World War, and that since their contributions (in material) were the greatest, Hollywood's propaganda machine is largely correct in creating and maintaining the myth that America alone won World War 2.

Maybe they need to watch less Spielberg and read more Keegan...

*Bravo, epublius76, that is one well-written answer!

Answer 4

The capture of Berlin was made possible by Eisenhower. He reasoned that taking Berlin was going to be bloody affair for the invaders. It was just that. The remaining Nazi forces in Berlin fought from house to house and inflicted over 100,000 casualties on the Russians. Ike could have taken Berlin but it was not necessary as the Germans in the West had been thoroughly beaten. Since the Russians had suffered the most casualties in Europe it was felt that the honor should go to the Russians, they wanted it, and Ike let them

Answer 5

Russia took part of Berlin. And, maybe you need to read different books and think along different paths. Further, it will al depend on the definition of winning. Germany could not wage war any more; this could be seen as a winning scenario for the allies. The same is true for the war with Japan.

Answer 6

Here is a couple of counterpoints for you to consider

It is clear the allies would have lost the war without the US - primarily in the production of arms - the US economy was undamaged and could churn out everything that was required from bullets to battleships

It is also clear the the invasion of Italy and France would not have occurred without the US supplying men and materials
AND who would have stopped Japan in SE Asia?

So perhaps the US did not win the war but clearly without the US the allies would have lost the war

Answer 7

A lot of Americans learned about WWII in school during the cold war, and in many schools, Russia's part was ignored. I only found out how important their contribution was watching the "World at War" series on PBS in the 1970's.This ended with the collapse of the soviet union, so my children know better.

Answer 8

i've got by no potential heard of any British that believes that American gained WWII single handed. in fact, fairly the different. i understand of a few fellow individuals who have self belief that we individuals gained WWII single handed, yet I, rightfully so have self belief that to be incorrect besides. It replaced right into a international conflict, and all and sundry on the edge of the Allies had an important place. The Allies gained international conflict II, and there have been many, many diverse international places who all performed a place in that. From the conflict of england (British) to the conflict of Stalingrad (Soviets) to the Battles interior the Pacific (individuals, Australians, New Zealanders, Dutch, French, Filipinos, etc) to multiple Battles in Europe (Polish, French, Dutch, Canadians, Norwegians, Czechs, etc) to battles everywhere in the area (Indians, chinese language, Koreans, Burmese, Thai, fairly some African contraptions, Brazilians, etc, etc...and the different nationalities that I forgot to point) it replaced right into a international conflict, and all of us had a hand interior the victory. If there is any grievance that I actual have, it is in straight forward terms that now and returned there seems to be a tendency for the ecu powers to the two push aside or thoroughly ignore the reality that there replaced right into a factor of WWII that occurred thoroughly self reliant from Europe. for people who prefer to point the reality that the U.S. had a constrained place in WWII, they continuously point out the ecu theater, and communicate approximately each thing from the conflict of england, to Stalingrad, to different engagements the place the U.S. replaced into the two non-existent, or had an rather constrained place. they seem to thoroughly ignore the Pacific Theater, which replaced into basically as significant, and rather costly and hard in its very own actual, and if I do say so, to no longer knock the contributions of alternative international places interior the Pacific, because it replaced into certainly a international attempt, yet U.S. hardware did take the initiative in most of the engagements interior the Pacific. different than that, each thing else is tremendous. basic, Pacific or ecu, it replaced into certainly a international attempt, and all performed an important place, and we could desire to continually spend time applauding the efforts of each guy, woman, toddler and us of a that fought, be it one soldier with a rifle, to huge scores of tanks, ships, and infantrymen in land, air, and sea.

Answer 9

I'd have to say that the Allies themselves won the war. It was a collaborative effort among the Americans, British, Russian, Canadian, Australian, Kiwi (New Zealanders), French (resistance), and anyone who fought on the Allied side.

Answer 10

I'm an American, i thought the fate of the second world war was decided in the east.... I think we ended up keeping the Iron Curtain from reaching the Atlantic Coast....