Wings #4

1. Why did some world leaders and theologians feel that flying would be the end of mankind?

Some world leaders feared that flying would be the end of mankind because it quickly became a very lethal weapon. Aerial attacks on innocent civilians became the morbidly apocalyptic view of the time. It was feared that it would become a game of the strongest offence, seeing how much of the enemy civilians you could attack in order to protect your own. This line of thinking is rather pessimistic, assuming that many will wish to use something that can be used for good only for evil.

Theologians held a negative viewpoint that reflected their religious opinions. It was commonly believed that man was not given wings for a reason, and that in order to stay out of trouble, it would be wise to simply say on the ground. In some cases, it was believed that wings implied a dooming divine judgment.

Regardless of the reasoning, there was a common fear of flying and of bombing. All throughout history, the implications of the ability to bomb have been seen. Some might argue that because there have been devastating bombings, these leaders’ and theologians’ viewpoints have been proven. However, that is quite a unilateral argument, and is not taking into consideration the lifesaving good that planes have made possible.

2. What factors influenced the development of the aircraft carrier and what role did it play in WWII?

Aircraft carriers first came into play when countries had a need to move their military fleets where there was no base. The first to attempt to create an aircraft carrier was the British Royal Navy. These carriers were not an immediate success, with many planes finding themselves in the water instead of the air or ship. Although Japan later found a bit more success, ultimately it was the United States that was able to design a cable system to capture plan and keep it from flying into the water. This system was so successful that other countries adopted it.

The creation of the aircraft carrier changed the game for in air warfare. It had become possible to strike over long distances by simply hauling the planes to where they would be able to fly in order to attack. These sneaky attacks made it possible for planes to carry out bombing missions, which became the predominant use of the carriers. Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, and the subsequent Doolittle’s raid counter, would not have been possible without these carriers, as the Pacific is so wide. They were also used in the nuclear warfare against the Japanese. In many ways, it could be argued that the aircraft carrier revolutionized the military’s approach to warfare as much as the aircraft it carries did.

8. How did WWII transform the prewar United States aviation industry into the huge aerospace and defense industrial complex it is today?

The United States’ exportation of aircrafts skyrocketed around WWII, and they were not the only ones enjoying the success. Although other countries experienced success, it paled in comparison to that of the U.S. They produced the best planes, and had successfully figured out how to navigate supply and demand. The aviation industry was highly dependent on military plane profits, which were twice that of a civil. Following the completion of WWII, President Roosevelt set out to create a large Air Force, consisting of 10,000 aircrafts, with 50,000 to be produced annually. This annual production rate increased exponentially every year. Roosevelt sought out the French and British to form a relationship, which resulted in their flying of U.S. planes. This bait caused there to be an influx of purchases, which had enormously beneficial effects on the United States’ aviation industry and economy. As the industry grew, a greater workforce was needed. Huge factories were erected with the support of the federal government through the Reconstruction Finance Corporation and the Defense Plant Corporation programs. As the industry simply continued to grow, it eventually expanded into the huge aerospace and defense industry it is today. It is clear that had WWII never happened, there is a strong possibility that it would not be what it is today.