 The Continuing Global Struggle "...Every single man, woman, and child is partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our history." President Franklin Roosevelt America and World War II (1941-1945). Japan and America had enjoyed open trade since 1854, but relations became more and more strained during the first three decades of the 20th century, as Japan invaded Korea, Manchuria, and the Chinese mainland. When Japan, Italy, and Germany became allies in 1940, diplomatic relations with the United States reached a breaking point. Then, the seemingly impossible happened! On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed American ships in Honolulu, Hawaii.The next day, America was once again at war. World War II brought modern warfare closer to more Americans than any other conflict in our history. Millions of American men and women served in the armed forces, or worked in the factories, farms and mines to serve the nation. At home, the war caused major social changes as families were uprooted and normal lives were disrupted. Opportunity accompanied change when women joined the labor force in large numbers. Unemployment vanished and incomes rose. Sadly, thousands of Japanese Americans were forced from their homes to live in internment camps for the duration of the war. Abroad, the American Army, Navy, and Marines fought from Europe to the Pacific. American factories and farms sent arms, clothing, food and ammunition to American allies all over the world. American technology strengthened the weapons of war, eventually resulting in the world's first use of the atomic bomb in 1945. > See what we did World War II (1941-1945) USS Utah
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