answersLogoWhite

0

The majority of the fighting was done by the British and Russians,with Russia gaining the most from WW2.

US Military made large sacrifices and big contributions to the overall war effort, but was that effort critical to the final outcome of WW2? Most Americans would say Yes, as that is how history is taught in American schools. People in all other countries would say No. Why? What is the reasoning? What would they say if asked why was American contribution not critical?

They would say that "Americans did too little too late". They would say that Japan was far smaller and weaker opponent than Germany and Italy and that it was crumbling under its own weight as it spread itself thinly across Asia, becoming increasingly vulnerable to attacks by local resistance fighters. Once Germany and Italy were defeated, the thinking goes, Japan would have surrendered even if nobody ever fired a single shot at them throughout the war, i.e., they could have been completely ignored and they would still be defeated by the loss of their more powerful allies combined with their thin spread over the Pacific.

Furthermore, America's obsession with Japan, a minor player, prevented the USA for coming and helping in Europe, where the real fighting was going on, until too many people have died. Refusing to allow docking of ships with Jews (the ships returned to Europe and all the people on board were killed by Nazis) is another qualm Europeans have with the USA.

They would also say that the African front was not critical for final victory - yet another peripheral war theater that could have been ignored with no consequences to the final outcome. Finally, many are resentful of General Patton coming at the very end, once most of Europe was already liberated by Russians or locals, riding straight to Berlin and declaring that he and his troops liberated Europe. They would say that is typical American haughtiness. Now, don't get me wrong, they appreciate what Americans did, but complain that the STORY Americans tell about it is incorrect, i.e., that American contribution, though valuable, was not critical to the final outcome. This view is not something you will hear discussed in the US schools, or US media. Who knows what the real truth is?

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?