"If it wasn't for us you'd all be speaking German!"

This is a serious question cause I've gotten this or similar responses quite a few times and I am really confused.
What kind of history are people in the US taught? Are you seriously taught that it was America that ended WWII? Because what we learn in Europe (or at least in many European countries) is that the US were the last ones to join and the war would never be over if it wasn't for Russia (and the Russian winter).
Do not try to attack me! It is an actual question and I need serious answers, it's like people on the two sides of the ocean are getting two completely different versions of the story.

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DunningKruger · 61-69, M

America, being America, concentrates on America's contributions to the war effort. A lot of Americans are still surprised to learn that the war had been going on for two years in Europe and, arguably, a decade in Asia by the time the US got involved.

Also America being America, what happened in the Soviet Union isn't well known here. (I run into the occasional person who believes Russia was the enemy in WWII.)

There is a lot of misinformation about the war over here ("We let Russia make it into Berlin first!"). That being said, it would be just as much of a mistake to minimize America's contributions to the war effort. A significant amount of the materiel the Allies used to win the war on both fronts rolled out of American factories. When all is said and done, it was a team effort.

Many of the people who best know what actually happened in the war in Europe — wargamers. Seriously.

Yulianna · 26-30, F

@DunningKruger thank you, all very true, and referenced in some of the earlier postings.

serious wargamers have a vested interested in knowing real history, so that they can test alternative strategies and outcomes.

ozgirl512 · 31-35, F

@DunningKruger nice answer!

SW-User

@DunningKruger I loved your answer. Providing knowledge but at the same time answering the actual question. Thank you!