Did the experiences of British citizens differ from Americans during World War II?
The experiences of the British citizens were similar to those of the Americans during World War II. In America, a majority of the nationals sacrificed themselves to ensure their country emerged victoriously. The nationals accepted to operate in a country where a rationing program was enforced, limiting the amount of gas, clothing, and food that individuals could purchase (BBC, 2014b).
Ration stamps meant that families could only buy commodities in the amounts that were allocated to them. Weaponry would be made using scrap objects like metal, which the citizens would collect in numbers. Women had a very crucial role during this time, as they were directly involved in the production of the weaponry in the factories. Generally, the Americans were united in helping the army win the war, including denying themselves luxuries.
On the other hand, the British re-adopted the ‘Home Front’ concept that had been popular during World War I, where civilians were mobilized in large numbers for purposes of supporting the war effort (BBC, 2014a). Like the Americans, the British women volunteered to work in factories to help in the production of armament. Basic commodities were rationed, including meat, sugar, textiles, petrol, and tea, as they were mostly imported.
The Britons collectively removed all decorative iron railings and aluminum saucepans for recycling to produce more arms in the military factories. The British authorities printed numerous posters that urged the nationals to ‘Dig for Victory,’ while also warning them against careless talk that could cost them their lives (BBC, 2014a).
The actions of the citizens of both countries were aimed at providing communal support to the countries, at a time when both countries were facing a common enemy. The women in both countries appeared to be very instrumental in helping the armies get the war artillery they needed to sustain them in war.
Did the Cold War help to create a modern global society?
The Cold War had a greater influence in shaping the modern global dominance, with its outcomes still recurring even in the present day world. The USA has remained as the sole superpower across the globe, following the disintegration of the former Union of Soviet Social Republic (USSR) (Mihelj, 2011).
The USSR’s disintegration followed the country’s economic idea of pursuing a capitalist system that caused a significant recession. More importantly, the Cold War saw the military realignment of countries, including the US. Today, the US is witnessing the strategic positioning of her army across the world.
An exasperation of cultural differences is still witnessed across the world as an aftermath of both World War II and the Cold War. Bitter wars have been experienced in some territories that previously belonged to the former USSR, such as Yugoslavia and Ukraine. The wars continue to create bad blood between communities. Even though the USSR disintegrated into a less powerful entity, there is still bad blood between the US and Russia, particularly on the global political front (Mihelj, 2011).
The Civilian War experiences portray the critical role that citizens can play, even if they are not part of the military, towards tackling an adversary. In both Britain and the USA, the citizens did not leave their respective militaries on their own to fight and protect their countries.
Instead, they gave whatever contribution they could, including accepting to do with rationed food and other basic supplies. It shows that military wars do not only depend on the skill and might of an army to win, but they also depend on the moral support that the army receives from the home population.
References
BBC (2014a). Primary history: World War 2.
BBC (2014b). History: The home front. Web.
Mihelj, S. (2011). Negotiating cold war culture at the crossroads of east and west: Uplifting the working people, entertaining the masses, cultivating the nation. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 53(3), 509-539