Even with Pearl Harbour, there was a significant arguement at the time about limiting the war to the Pacific. It's always interesting to compare professed war aims with the final outcome. Post 1918 American companies had successfully ousted their UK rivals from all of their investments in Argentina. Post- 1945 gave "carte blanche" to Ame…
Even with Pearl Harbour, there was a significant arguement at the time about limiting the war to the Pacific. It's always interesting to compare professed war aims with the final outcome. Post 1918 American companies had successfully ousted their UK rivals from all of their investments in Argentina. Post- 1945 gave "carte blanche" to American Corporations under the hegemony of the US military umbrella....re-arming the world and feeding growth at home. They also maintained control over Uk's gold reserves and the horrendously overvalued exchange rate of the Pound to the dollar until lend-lease debts were truly paid for....till end of 1950s....ruining any chance oif economic recovery.
This, and previous posts, are the kinds of history of this country that have made me a non-patriot. My first loyalty has always been to the planet and its natural wonders and creatures, then humanity, and I'm not sure where America comes into it - except that I was born here, I live here, I vote here, and I do my best to do things that encourage this country to progress toward achieving its promise. But I can't salute the flag, I don't put my hand over my heart during the national anthem, I won't engage in jingoistic sentimentality that proclaims this to be the greatest country in the world. I don't think any country can legitimately lay claim to that title. However, I believe that it is our responsibility as citizens of this particular country to work to make it a good place for those who live here and to cooperate with other countries that seek the best for their own citizens.
And, Stuart, do I remember this correctly? I believe my husband told me that after WWII ended, the Brits had to destroy a lot of US military equipment as part of the deal of helping out. I recall things like like perfectly good Jeeps had to be dumped into the ocean? It sounded crazy to me and still does to me now for so several reasons. Interestingly, today, my youngest grandson in his mid twenties has been apprenticed to a man who restores and completely re-builds WWII American jeeps for re-sale. Guess they were not ALL dumped in the ocean! They are running low on Jeeps and parts now. I told my grandson that It would be interesting to see what is stored under tattered tarps in lovely old barns out around that southern countryside! I would imagine France must have had the same deal?
France was more than somewhat disorganized at the time in every domaine...except the Black Market wher most of the American equipment ended up...and many such jeeps are still running around in Provence...très chic!
Even with Pearl Harbour, there was a significant arguement at the time about limiting the war to the Pacific. It's always interesting to compare professed war aims with the final outcome. Post 1918 American companies had successfully ousted their UK rivals from all of their investments in Argentina. Post- 1945 gave "carte blanche" to American Corporations under the hegemony of the US military umbrella....re-arming the world and feeding growth at home. They also maintained control over Uk's gold reserves and the horrendously overvalued exchange rate of the Pound to the dollar until lend-lease debts were truly paid for....till end of 1950s....ruining any chance oif economic recovery.
Stuart, Penelope, Judith, et al.:
Lanita Grice (WA, the state)just now
This, and previous posts, are the kinds of history of this country that have made me a non-patriot. My first loyalty has always been to the planet and its natural wonders and creatures, then humanity, and I'm not sure where America comes into it - except that I was born here, I live here, I vote here, and I do my best to do things that encourage this country to progress toward achieving its promise. But I can't salute the flag, I don't put my hand over my heart during the national anthem, I won't engage in jingoistic sentimentality that proclaims this to be the greatest country in the world. I don't think any country can legitimately lay claim to that title. However, I believe that it is our responsibility as citizens of this particular country to work to make it a good place for those who live here and to cooperate with other countries that seek the best for their own citizens.
And, Stuart, do I remember this correctly? I believe my husband told me that after WWII ended, the Brits had to destroy a lot of US military equipment as part of the deal of helping out. I recall things like like perfectly good Jeeps had to be dumped into the ocean? It sounded crazy to me and still does to me now for so several reasons. Interestingly, today, my youngest grandson in his mid twenties has been apprenticed to a man who restores and completely re-builds WWII American jeeps for re-sale. Guess they were not ALL dumped in the ocean! They are running low on Jeeps and parts now. I told my grandson that It would be interesting to see what is stored under tattered tarps in lovely old barns out around that southern countryside! I would imagine France must have had the same deal?
France was more than somewhat disorganized at the time in every domaine...except the Black Market wher most of the American equipment ended up...and many such jeeps are still running around in Provence...très chic!