MFW this thread and the shitstorm against me for pointing out that OP's propaganda pic wasn't so bad.

The USA weren't the only ones.

Total war means unrestricted, brutal warfare, with no rules for engagement or weapons. This means chemical warfare, flamethrowers, bombing civilian establishments, etc. He also is not implying that United States stood alone. The Axis powers were opposed to the Allies, mostly democratic states, they were bent on defeating all Allied nations. Even though we were across the ocean, we still were an Allied power, but didn't join the war till openly attacked. The Axis powers made plans to conquer nations in Europe, and I am sure they would have made their way to the Americas eventually. If we went across the seas, what would stop Hitler from doing it?
Hitler proved himself to be insatiable with the nations he conquered in Europe.

Our presence in the War was decisive, it could not be considered an Allied victory without us. However, it was not a single nation that defeated the Nazi's, nor could we have had hope to do so without our comrades in Europe. And I do believe that the existence of democracy was on the line. If the Allies failed, I believe democracy in the America's would have eventually been threatened one day.

With such brutal warfare, and the generation that was to be sent to fight it was just coming out of the great depression, how can that not be called a sacrifice of the highest kind? These men grew up in hardship, and they suffered through more to protect home. So how can you not respect such brave men, who probably experienced some of the most hellish things on Earth?

Didn't really read, but I think I agree.

Shortened:
We were the deciding factor but couldn't have won the war on our own.

If we lost, democracy would be gone in Europe and likely in America eventually.

The greatest generation, grew up under hard circumstances, went into combat without rules despite their hardship.

Talking about the United States is practically synonymous to talking about the Allies collectively in respect to WW2.

uh.. what have i done?

>"actual history"
>utterly biased nationalistic drivel

Pick one.

Are you aware of the literary concept known as "tone?"

There is a massive difference in tone between the following statements:

1) The United States of America was a participant in the Second World War. Soldiers in the American armed forces engaged German and Italian forces in the European Theatre and Japanese forces in the Asian Theatre. The USA entered the war after the Japanese attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base on December 7, 1941. The American declaration of war on the Japanese Empire resulted in subsequent declarations of war on the United States by Japan's fascist allies, Germany and Italy. Over the course of the war, both American and Axis powers engaged in total war tactics with their enemies, America in retaliation for the Japanese attack on its navy and the resultant Axis response, Japan in pursuit of continuing its expansionist policies in South East Asia, and the German and Italian forces in response to American mobilization against Japanese forces.

2) America is great because we fought the bad guys in WW2. Democracy is good and fascism is bad and Italy and Germany were fascist so we had to fight them. Brave people in America had to ration their food and use less power so the fearless soldiers could have food and guns to fight the evil bad guys. The European soldiers were sissies so we had to send our amazing soldiers to sacrifice themselves to save them, so that's why they were the Greatest Generation. They were and always will be the best America ever had to offer and it's a good thing otherwise we'd be speaking German and heiling Hitler, haha.

The first has a historical tone and is a logical, measured presentation of facts.

The second has a "patriotic" tone and is highly biased in favour of WW2 America. People writing like that is one of the reasons why 'Murica jokes have any real basis.

1) Is History.

2) Is Nationalism.

There is nothing wrong with either of them. In fact, the one thing America really needs is patriotism now. Not the 'Murica kind (blind superiority), but pride and worth in it's people and their nation. The one that America really lacks is patriotism. Funny right? Americans just have such a lack of participation and confidence in their government, it is sad. Those few people who have a fire of passion or a shred of respect for their nation should not be squelched. If having a biased opinion of the world war helps them be patriotic citizens, let them alone.

The way to renew a people's faith in its government is not through misguided hero-worship and idealization of past deeds, but rather through decisive and confidence-inspiring action by that government and its people in the present. I look at it this way: a bad football team can't get better just by fondly looking back to when they used to be good (especially if none of the current members were on the good team). The only way they can regain their previous skill and renown is to practice, to hone their abilities and refine their cooperative techniques. Sitting in the locker room, reminiscing about the good ol' days and moping about how much things suck right now won't get them anywhere. They have to change what they've been doing and remember what they did wrong so that it doesn't happen again.

You are right, that is history and what it is for. I do agree that the factual aspects of history should never be entirely lost to distortion. But, might I present the other side of the coin too? A football team can have an all star lineup, and still lose. A team that doesn't believe in itself will be susceptible to failure.

You have presented the mechanistic element for human success. Repition, practice, innate skill, is there. But there is a human element there as well. An example: the New York Yankee's baseball team. It can not be denied that the roster for the team is filled with some of the highest paid players, yet they do not win the world series every year and in fact have had few wins in the past decades. With a lineup like that how do they not win? A team needs practice, but it also needs a unifying group purpose.

Without one, you have the Yankees. They practice a lot, they get paid the most, they have the best players, the best equipment, etc., yet they do not have a history of perfect seasons even in recent seasons. Hero worship and Idolization of great figures is, I think, important. They inspire and they give you something to strive for. They grant meaning where none was found. It is part of the human element.

The way for people's faith in the American government to be restored is if the population has an interest in their nation. Nationalism, patriotism are key; a man will not seek to better his country if he has no reason to be proud of it. A nation will not fix itself, and a people will not fix it unless they care about it.

The only reason America decided to finally go to war and be involved was because of pearl harbour. Beforehand they left the allies too it, allowing them to get into huge debt because america held the monopoly on resources. There was no ulterior moral objective, they were protecting their interests. Such is a capitalist society.

Yeah, historically, the inter-war German economy was far worse than Great Depression America. The dollar was still worth something, at least. In Germany, they burned their currency in huge stacks to keep warm.

you're a special kind of retard arent you?

I would beg to differ. He has the historical knowledge and acknowledges the sacrifices that others make so that we enjoy peace. Let the man enjoy his patriotism in peace and kindly shove your cynicism in a place where the sun doesn't shine.

As an American who grew up whilst bombarded with patriotic messages and propaganda concerning how great and brave and infallible we are and always have been, I find his cynicism quite refreshing.

Don't listen to the media then. However, we were and are a great nation. Speaking in very literal terms. We have the strongest military force and the most advanced weapons technology in the world. Economically we are the greatest force in the world at the moment. That may be subject to change over time. However, at this moment we are a great nation.

We have no right to be called brave. The population as a whole is not brave. Only individuals are brave. Those who serve in combat are the one's who have a right to be called brave if anyone.

This nation is definitely not infallible. We have made plenty of mistakes, our national debt is evidence of that. Our population, is not involved in our politics, allowing politicians to do whatever they want. If Americans were informed, they might try to understand the issues behind the candidates running for election, and elect those who would not abuse their station.

Lastly I would suggest you respect the past. The men of the past died to secure your present. Their sacrifice may mean nothing to you, but without them or men like them, you would not enjoy the liberties that you have today. I don't claim that our nation is perfect, just that it's own should hold it dear if anyone.

Think what you will. You have that right. I'll stick with my array of soullessly constructed and so-logically-based-and-distanced-from-emotion-as-to-be-considered-sociopathic beliefs.