Why did Germany and Italy declare war to the US?

Answer 1

The answer cover the two world wars in which both Italy and Germany participated in.

World War I : Italy versus Central Powers

Italy fought the Central powers in World War I, in an attempt to consolidate their northern borders. They defeated Austria-Hungary despite the efforts of the German Empire. Italy joined the Triple Entente on April 26, 1915, and declared war on Austria-Hungary on May 23, 1915.

---

World War II : When Allies Invaded, Italy Turned against Germany

King Victor Emmanuel, leader of post-Fascist Italy, declared war on Germany Oct. 13, 1943. The part of Italy that Victor Emmanuel controlled was only the part that the Allies had liberated by that date. But as Allied Forces moved up the boot of Italy, more and more of Italy's resources were utilized in the Allied war effort towards Italy's former partner in the Axis.

The Italian Royalists against the German Puppet State

The Italians of the "Kingdom of the South" were considered "co-belligerents" by the Allies. Thus not actually allies, and not part of the allied forces. They are often referred to as "Royalist troops". The first such troops were created on September 28, 1943, and saw action in the Cassino sector (Monte Lungo).

Existing simultaneously was the Italian Social Republic, created on September 18, 1943, fighting on the Axis side until the end. It only fielded about 60,000 frontline troops (then again the Kingdom of the South's peak strength was about 22,000 men on the Allied side). But Mussolini had large bodies of paramilitary fascist troops in an internal security role.

Italian History in World War II

Benito Mussolini was the dictator of Italy and he signed a pact with Hitler in 1939 to be their ally. The war started soon after that and Italy began to lose men and equipment. Then when the war reached Sicily, an island that belongs to Italy, and when the Allies began bombing Italy and especially Rome, the people rebelled against the Germans and Fascists. Italy had a king, King Victor Emmanuel II, who did not run the country.

On July 24, 1943, The Fascist Party held a meeting. After a 2-hour speech by Mussolini, his son-in-law, Ciano, made a motion to remove Mussolini from power. After 9 hours of debates, Mussolini demanded a roll-call vote and lost. The next day, Mussolini held a meeting with King Emmanuel, and the King simply asked Mussolini to step down. Mussolini had been physically sick and so he just agreed to it. Mussolini was placed under arrest and General Badoglio was placed in temporary charge of the country and restored order. There was very little revolt by the Fascists.

The Germans expected something was up. The Italian Government began secret negotiations with the Allies to switch sides. Many in the Allied command did not trust Italy and demanded unconditional surrender. There was talk of dropping US paratroopers into Rome so they could help the Badoglio government take control of the German troops. The Allied landing force departed for their attack on the Italian mainland at the Salerno beaches (on Sept. 9, 1943). Time ran out for Italy to make a decision. Italy announced they would surrender to the Allies.

The Germans initiated Operation ACHSE to disarm all the Italian soldiers in Italy and abroad. Many Italians were executed and 615,000 Italians were transported to German labor camps. Within a few weeks, German reinforcements crossed over the Alps into Italy and took control of the country. The Italian Government of General Badoglio declared war on German on October 13, 1943, thus becoming an Allied co-belligerent, though not an ally.

As the Allies advanced up from the "toe" of Italy, they took over more and more of the southern half of Italy. The ex-Italian soldiers were put into service with the Allies and used as translators and to carry supplies on mule trains up the steep mountains. Eventually, the Italians were armed by the British and these were the co-belligerent forces or sometimes called the "army of the South". They formed into 4 combat groups and were sent into combat towards the end of the war.

Benito Mussolini was still in charge of the Fascist elements loyal to him and he remained allied to the Germans. He really had no power and was a puppet government. He re-organized the combat troops under a new name: RSI - Italian Social Republic, consisting of the ENR and GNR. The ENR was organized into 4 divisions. The GNR was formed as a new Fascist militia to replace the Black Shirts (MSVN). They were the primary anti-partisan security force.

Italian soldiers essentially had 3 choices : 1) head north behind the front lines and fight with Mussolini and the Germans, 2) head south of the lines and fight for the co-belligerent forces, or 3) serve as a partisan fighter.

Answer 2

Well, eventually, its question specifically saying that why it declare war on Germany b/c Italy which at first neutral, joined the Allies nine months into the war. Italy claimed that its membership in the Triple Alliance had been a defensive strategy and they argued that they were not obligated to stand by their old ally and that's how they forged stalemate into the Western Front and the Eastern Front.

Answer 3

Germany & Italy declared war on the United States on December 11, 1941. This was four days after the Japanese began their surprise attacks to start war with the United States & the British Empire (Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada & South Africa).

On 27 September 1940 Japan joined Hitler & Mussolini in a military (cooperation) alliance called the 'Tripartite Pact', or the 'Axis' as it was called in Britain & US. However, Japan is not obligated to go to war with the current enemies of Germany and Italy. The three parties announce that they will declare war on any third party that attempts to enter the war against any one of the three. This is primarily aimed at the United States, to prevent America's entry into the war in Europe and prevent American interference in Asia. In 1941, Hitler believed that Japanese assistance against the Soviet Union to be unnecessary. Although the Pact specifically excludes the USSR in its relations with Germany or Japan, Hitler's goal (starting in 1942) is to have Japan join in the war against Stalin when the time comes. Japan will successfully resist these urgings throughout the next four years.

Originally Hitler's concept for the eventual & necessary war with the United States required that Germany accomplish several preliminary steps before being ready to fight the United States:

1. Defeat the Soviet Union (summer 1941)

2. Build & man a larger Luftwaffe & Kriegsmarine (1941-42)

3. Defeat Great Britain/Occupy Great Britain (summer 1942)

4. Build & man a larger German U-Boat fleet (1942-1944)

5. Build & man a larger German surface fleet (1942-1946)

Hitler came to believe in 1941 that his alliance with Japan accomplished step #5 without the necessity of Germany building the surface fleet, because the very large Japanese fleet could accomplish the same tasks as his fleet. Hitler became convinced that the Japanese fleet is superior to the American fleet. If step#5 is skipped, then Hitler believes that the German war on the United States can begin much sooner than originally planned. This is desirable because he believes that the US will become stronger over-time.

Although Hitler patiently waited until the Japanese struck first, he was very eager for war with the United States since early 1941. This is because the United States (officially a neutral country) had become increasingly more friendly towards Britain and hostile towards Germany, during Hitler's war of aggression in Europe. By May 1940 it became clear to US President Roosevelt that Hitler's Germany was a dangerous threat to the United States, and that the US should do everything possible (short of war) to support Great Britain and her allies in their desperate struggle against Hitler. Most of the outward hostility centered around shipments of supplies & equipment to Great Britain from the United States & Canada across the North Atlantic Ocean. This situation was like a repeat of events during the First World War, where German U-Boats attacked all shipping in the Atlantic destined for the British Isles.

Hitler knew of his ally Japan's intentions to attack the US & Britain, but not when. When the Japanese attacks on the US & Britain were announced, Hitler rushed back to Berlin to prepare a Declaration of War against the US. His declaration also included a statement of solidarity with Japan & Italy and a 'no-separate peace' phrase. He wanted to make this declaration public before the US would declare war on Germany. However, President Roosevelt had no immediate intention of initiating the war against Germany, for practical, moral & public relations reasons.

For Hitler's announced reasons for war, see below the actual text of the German announcement of its declaration of war, given to the US Charge d'Affairs in Berlin on December 11, 1941:

"The of the United States having violated in the most flagrant manner and in ever-increasing measure all rules of neutrality in favor of the adversaries of Germany and having continually been guilty of the most severe provocations toward Germany and since the outbreak of the European war, provoked by the British declaration of war against Germany on September 3, 1939, has finally resorted to open military acts of aggression.

On September 11, 1941, the President of the United States publicly declared that he had ordered the American Navy and Air Force to shoot on sight at any German war vessel. In his speech of October 27, 1941, he once more expressly affirmed that this order was in force. Acting under this order, vessels of the American Navy, since early September 1941, have systematically attacked German naval forces. Thus, American destroyers, as for instance the Greer, the Kearny and the Rueben James, have opened fire on German submarines according to plan. The Secretary of the American Navy, Mr. Knox, himself confirmed that American destroyers attacked German submarines.

Furthermore, the naval forces of the United States, under order of their Government and contrary to international law have treated and seized German merchant vessels on the high seas as enemy ships.

The German Government therefore establishes the following facts:

Although Germany on her part has strictly adhered to the rules of international law in her relations with the United States during every period of the present war, the Government of the United States from initial violations of neutrality has finally proceeded to open acts of war against Germany. The Government of the United States has thereby virtually created a state of war.

The German Government, consequently, discontinues diplomatic relations with the United States of America and declares that under these circumstances brought about by President Roosevelt, Germany too, as from today, considers herself as being in a state of war with the United States of America.

Accept, Mr. Charge d'Affairs, the expression of my high consideration."

Italy essentially declared war because of their alliance with Germany & Japan.

The United States declared war on Germany & Italy on December 11, 1941, after they had declared war on the US.

Answer 4

Italy wanted the southern Tyrol and also Trieste and parts of the Croatian coast.

Answer 5

because their allies went to war so they have to do the same

Answer 6

They were allied to Japan. After we were attacked at Pearl harbor we Declared War on Japan. The other Axis Powers, i.e., Germany and Italy, decalred war on us in turn.

Answer 7

Italy was Germany's ally and had a treaty to support each other

Answer 8

it was Germany that attacked european countries.