Quote:
Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz
Why is it not technically a world war untill then???
There was fighting in Europe and Africa, and troops were comming form North America, Australia, and by the time the US got involved, Russia and the Germans were going at it.
Seems to me you've got 5 continents involved. Seems like a world war to me.
That is part of what can come off as arrogance. Saying things like "well it really wasn't a world war untill the US got involved" is absolutely rediculous and very arrogant. Prior to the US involvment a very large portion of the world, granted it was mainly through British Imperialism, was already involved and being impacted by the war. To say that it was only a Conflict in Eastern Europe (which is really stupid seeing as how a MAJOR WESTERN Eurpoean power had already been conquored by another MAJOR WESTERN EUROPEAN power), is demeaning to those who answered the call to hault German agression prior to 1941.
I should note that I in no way am downplaying the Amreican role in bringing an end to WWII, but statements like "We bailed you out" do nothing but bring tension to a difficult subject.
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I'm speaking soley on the American ideology at the time. Since the fighting wasn't done on any other soil but Europe's, it wasn't a 'World War' - just as Iraq and Afghanistan aren't 'World Wars,' even though the US, Australia, England, Germany, Canada, any many many other Allied countries are actively getting themselves shot over there. It wasn't until Japan brought the fight to the home front, that reality sunk in. Yet, you talk to any American, outside of what you see on CNN or Fox news, and they feel completely different. They actually symphathize with what we did prior to them joining the war. The tour guide said, herself, it was a bad idea not to get involved in the war before they did.
Don't let everything the American media tells you, fool you, either. You're just as guilty of buying into American propoganda as I apparently am. You want an honest opinion? Talk to your average American citizen. They're just as reasonable as we are, you know. Despite what we've come to believe up here, as well, they don't hate us, either.
And, I still am a firm believer that they bailed us out. Sue me. I never once downplayed anything the Allies did before the US got involved, did I? Infact, my great Grandfather served in both World Wars, himself, as a Medic on the beaches, and in the Armored Corp. My other grandfather was chased out of Croatia by the Nazis in 1938 and fled to Canada. I'm strongly believe in the action the Allies took in stopping the War in the first place, but saying they could have done it without the US, that the US didn't care, or that the Allies didn't depend, if not exclusively in some instances on the US is equally as arrogant and offensive.
Anyway, this thread has turned ugly in a hurry... I'm done debating this. You all have your own opinion, and I have mine. Let's leave it at that.