Rapid success of Japanese invasions into Southeast Asia in the months immediately after Pearl Harbor
Outcome of MidwayOutcome of Midway
Japan lost four of the six large aircraft carriers it Japan lost four of the six large aircraft carriers it had used to attack Pearl Harborhad used to attack Pearl HarborU.S. had lost only one of its large carriersU.S. had lost only one of its large carriersBefore Midway: Japanese 6-US 4Before Midway: Japanese 6-US 4After Midway: Japanese 2-US 3After Midway: Japanese 2-US 3Gave US the time needed to gear up its Gave US the time needed to gear up its industrial production:industrial production: Next two years, Japan would build 6 additional Next two years, Japan would build 6 additional
carrierscarriers US would build 17, along with 10 medium carriersUS would build 17, along with 10 medium carriers
3) World War II: The Big Picture3) World War II: The Big Picture
Took the U.S. out of the depression and left it the most powerful economic force on the globe
By 1945, U.S. sole intact global industrial powerhouseGermany, France, England, Japan, etc., will be eager customers for U.S. goods for a decade or longerBegins an extraordinary era of American economic prosperity
Clearly establishes the U.S. as a major player in global power politics
Unlike after WWI, the U.S. does not retreat into isolationism By 1949 U.S. is engaged in WWIII with the Soviet Union, leading to
a seemingly permanent war-time footing
Centrality of the federal government in funding big science and industry is widely accepted
Manhattan Project demonstrated seeming necessity for federal role in the science of mass destruction
Creation of a Military-Industrial Complex