The United States initially had to follow a policy of appeasement towards Germany. This policy was directly related to the treaty of Versailles.
Pearl Harbor was attacked December 7th 1941. Congress then declared war on Japan December 8th 1941.
patton helped force the surrender of german forces in north africa
Midway was an Army air corp base and it had to be taken for Japan to threaten Hawaii and the American Pacific fleet Naval base at Pearl Harbor. Midway was generally midway between Japan and Hawaii - hence the name. Had the Japanese has success it could have prolonged the war for years.
Interventionists claimed that the United States could avoid war if it sent aid to Britain.