How did World War II affect the United States?

World War II impacted the United States in several ways. Once the Japanese attacked us at Pearl Harbor, the United States joined the war. This required a full commitment on the part of the American people. The attack on Pearl Harbor woke up many Americans who were skeptical about the United States being actively involved in world affairs.

After we were attacked, we needed to convert our industries to wartime production. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation gave loans to businesses and helped to cover the costs of switching from peacetime production to wartime production. With cost-plus contracts, businesses were guaranteed to make a profit producing war materials. Our businesses and the workers in those businesses worked very hard to provide the needed supplies and the needed weapons for our military. World War II brought us out of the Great Depression.

Soldiers were drafted and trained as early as September 1940. The soldiers were deployed all over the world during World War II. Americans who didn’t fight made sacrifices at home. Food and other supplies were rationed. People were encouraged to buy Victory Bonds. They also were cautioned to be careful about what they said regarding the war and to whom they spoke to about the war.

After World War II ended, the United States was the leader of the free world. We stood up to the Soviet Union and their attempts to spread communism around the world. The United States was considered a superpower after World War II ended.