The Second World War (1939–1945) reshaped the political, economic, and social order of the Americas.
While many countries began as neutral, the fall of France (1940) and the attack on Pearl Harbor (1941) brought the Western Hemisphere into active defense cooperation.
The United States emerged as a global power through total mobilization, while Brazil became the only Latin American country to send troops overseas.
United States
Entry into War:
The U.S. entered the conflict after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941).
Declared war on Japan, followed by Germany and Italy on December 11.
Military Participation:
The U.S. fought on multiple fronts (Europe, the Pacific, North Africa, and the Atlantic.)
Created massive military operations such as D-Day (1944) and the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb.
Economic Mobilization:
Established the War Production Board and Office of Price Administration to direct industrial output.
Unemployment fell below 2%, ending the Depression.
Women joined the workforce in large numbers, symbolized by Rosie the Riveter.
Wartime production gave rise to the military-industrial complex and long-term U.S. economic dominance.
Social and Political Effects:
Wartime propaganda promoted unity but exposed racial inequality.
The Double V campaign demanded victory against fascism abroad and racism at home.
Japanese Americans faced internment under Executive Order 9066, showing the contradictions of wartime democracy.
The war consolidated U.S. global leadership and laid the foundations for the United Nations (1945).
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The Second World War (1939–1945) was a global conflict that involved most of the world's nations, including the Americas. Initially, many countries in the Western Hemisphere tried to remain neutral, but events like the fall of France in 1940 and the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 forced them into active participation.
The war led to significant changes in the political, economic, and social order of the Americas.
The United States emerged as a global superpower, while Brazil became the only Latin American country to send troops overseas.
AnalogyThink of the Americas during WWII like a neighborhood where initially everyone wanted to stay out of a big fight happening elsewhere, but eventually had to get involved when the conflict reached their doorstep.
DefinitionNeutralityA policy of not taking sides in a conflict or war.
ExampleBrazil initially maintained neutrality but later joined the Allies after German U-boat attacks on its ships.