Natalie. First and foremost. YOUR writing and knowledge of history is eloquent and profound. ( thanks for the compliments.)
In response, I agree with your premise. I refer to the greatest generation as one who very slowly but eventually surely tipped the scales to end the run of Hitler. I disagree that the dust bowl economy was the incentive. I know Roosevelt held back until he could not wait and that Pearl Harbor was the trigger. My grandfather was Italian. He and my grandmother ran from Mussolini to America. My uncle Pete served in Italy in WWII. I may have rose colored vision but I prefer the shade.
I will continue my comment later. Thank you .