ial minority of Americans, particularly those of German and Italian descent, questioned the wisdom of fighting World War II.

[kochoa103]

True or False?

[dotty.]

so a minority of americans questioned the wisdom of fighting World War II. and within that minority a majority were of german and italian descent, were they spies ?

[craft1948]

Some of the Irish weren't too keen.............

[squarebear]

Germans didn't want America to fight the Germans?! I would have to say true....

[dundurn]

A lot of Americans, of all backgrounds, queried the relevance of getting involved in the early stages of WWII because it was seen as a European affair and none of their business. In the same way that many British people did, they remembered the losses of WWI and did their level best to ensure that there would be no repetition. There were, in addition, a variety of pro-German and pro-Italian organisations, some financed by foreign money, which worked hard to keep the separatist agenda well-represented in the popular press. The issues of Jewish and other minority persecution were not fully appreciated at this time and in any case there were levels of anti-Semitic opinions on both side of the Atlantic which played down any criticism of Fascist policies in this area. In addition, some of the more vindictive aspects of the Treaty of Versailles and the extent of the financial collapse of post-WWI Germany were held up to criticism. The Fascist viewpoint was also bolstered in the USA to some extent because it was seen as pro-Capitalist and because Italy had been on the side of the Allies in WWI. It could be argued therefore, that in September 1939 it was the majority view in America that they should stay out, rather than some ethnically biased minority. Roosevelt had to argue very hard to get the Lend Lease programmes through Congress and right up until Pearl Harbour a lot of American support could be described as lukewarm rather than wholehearted.

[mikey4444]

A story which has been circulating for quite a while now, and one that I think is probably true concens Pearl Harbour. The British had broken the codes used by the Japs. The code-breaking facility at Bletchley Park was very successful and was a major factor in ending the war earlier than it would have done otherwise.

Churchil was supposed to have learnt about the iminent attack on the USA fleet at Pearl Harbour, but didn't pass on this info on to Roosevelt, in order to help "push" the USA into entering the war. He was said to do this because of the extreme reluctance on the part of many Americans to get involved.

As nowadays, America had a small but very vocal untra-right wing element in its society. It must have been difficult for many American servicemen to fight in Europe, knowing that thier Uncles in Germany and Italy may have been firing back.

But Rooselvelt won through in the end. Thank God the Yanks DID come into the war, Without them, we would all be speaking German in Britain now !