U.S. Reliance of the National Guard
The National Guard is a private army (militia) of the United States of America. The United States' Constitution has authorized this militia and has also specified the different functions and roles of the National Guard in the federal and state governments. According to the Article 1 of the Section 8 in the United States' Constitution, the Congress has been granted the authority "to call forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions" ("National Guard," 2013). The power to organize, arm and discipline the militia was handed over to the Congress. However, it was the responsibility of the states to appoint the officers and train the militia. The second Amendment consisted of further provisions regarding the regulation of militia ("National Guard," 2013).
In general, the National Guard is answerable to the state jurisdiction when there is peace. The governors have the authority to put down and suppress local turmoil and disorders buy sing the National Guard. The 1967 riots in Newark and Detroit are such examples when the governors made use of the National Guard to sort out and deal with the domestic overwhelming circumstances. The National Guard is also used for helping in the occurrence of disasters on a local level, for example floods, earthquake, thunderstorms etc. When there is war, the National Guard is made a part of the United States' active service whereby the President of the country also acts as the commander-in-chief ("National Guard," 2013).
The equipment and human resources of the National Guard are standardized to match with the army regulations of the United States of America. The recruitment or mobilization is voluntary and the federal government is responsible for giving the compensation to those who are appointed. The volunteers are even paid for their time spent in field training or drill periods ("National Guard," 2013).
World War II and United States' Reliance on National Guard during this Period
World War II, the greatest and most brutal war in the human history was started in 1939 and took six years to end. It was an international conflict that involved all the great powers in the world at that time. The two opponents were categorized as the Allies (Great Britain, France, China and USA) and the Axis (Germany, Italy, Japan and USSR) ("World War II," 2013).
As Europe became involved in the Great War II in September 1939, the United States of America's Army ranked 17th in the world (Doubler, 2003). In order to augment this force, the National Guard could play a decisive part even though this militia was not well-equipped or appropriately trained to fight in such a great armed conflict. However, when President Roosevelt observed the circumstances, he wasted no time in approving the increase of size of the Guard to be included in the American Army. He also approved more appropriate training for the voluntary soldiers but still it didn't comply with the wishes of the Army to get people more trained for the war. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was uncertain and doubtful in taking such a big decision/action for the masses that were isolationist for the most part (Sligh & Beaumont, 1992).
On the other hand, the Army was also hesitant in making attempts for training and reorganizing the National Guard. One of the major reasons why the United States of America decided to rely on the National Guard during World War II was that the Guard's officer unit was represented by the National Guard Association that had the possession of one of the most efficient and effective lobbies at that point in time (Sligh & Beaumont, 1992).
War In Europe
The armed forces of Nazi Germany were let loose and allowed to run riot by Adolf Hitler on September 1, 1939 morning. This unleashing of forces was done against Poland. The people in Europe who were already afraid of the commencement of another war after the brutal conflict of World War I held their breath to look out for the actions of France and Great Britain against this German action. The two super powers thrown in the towel accepting the demands and threats of Hitler previously. On the other hand, when the Munich Agreement was violated by Hitler, the Allies made the firm decision of standing behind Poland to support it. Thus, they declared war on September 3 after which the world witnessed the brutal events of World War II (Sligh & Beaumont, 1992).
America's Entrance in World War II
It is extremely important to mention here that after...
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