How did the US government become involved in World War 2?

Answer 1

There were hundreds of incidents of Japanese incursions in and against the Chinese beginning in 1931 that were condemned by both the US and the League of Nations. The US had strong ties with China as did Great Britain another close US associate. Against serious anti-war opposition, the US offered support to China and to Europe. China was considered a minor problem until the Japanese air assault at Pearl Harbor. the world had been impacted. The US was admitted and committed,

Answer 2

Technically the USA did not start the war with Germany, but instead, Germany declared war on the USA, right after Pearl Harbor, December 1941. However, the USA, under the leadership of President Roosevelt, had been trying to instigate a shooting war with Germany for two years. The USA was supporting Germany's mortal enemy, Britain, with loans. Without these loans the war in Western Europe would have ended by 1940 or 1941, as Britain was essentially out of money. The American Presidetn tried a variety of other means to urge a war, by arming merchant marine ships, ordering all naval vessels to shoot German naval vessels on sight (if that isn't a declaration of war, I don't know what is), murdering defenseless German U Boat sailors in a the sea after a U boat sinking, providing 'volunteers' to the British armed forces, etc. Contrast these highly aggressive moves by the USA with Germany in WWI. When the Lusitania was sunk there was out outcry in the USA over this 'defenseless' ship being sunk by a U boat. Actually the Lusitania had been armed and was full of munitions. The Germans had even run large ads in eastern USA papers warning passengers not to sail on her, as she was declared a military target. Despite all this, the Germans did make a formal apology and even paid compensation to survivors and estates of Americans killed. I know of no such compassion coming from the USA towards Germans killed before the war. In any case, Hitler was furious at the American's aggressions and when the Japanese got in a shooting war with the USA, he joined in. IMO, this was a golden opportunity for Germany in WWII that was squandered. Had Germany not taken the final step and declared war, likely the USA would not have declared war on Germany, at least for a year or so. This would have given Germany some extra time to try and finish the Russian war and build up air defenses against bombers from the west. As it was, Hitler rushed the issue unnecessarily. The USA then began to pour about 2/3rds of its huge military/industrial output into the European war. Germany was bombarded night and day by the combined air fleets of Britain and America. The Soviets, who might have held on deep in their own territory anyway, were given mobility for counterattacks by the use of American trucks and other supplies. The result of course, was that Germany could not resist the now highly mobile Soviet forces and the war was soon lost.

Answer 3

Germany declared war on the United States on December 11, 1941 (4 days after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor). The reason for the declaration of war was stated to be because the American Air Forces and Naval Forces were attacking German war vessels and capturing German merchant ships.

The Germans and Japanese were allies, the British and Americans had also signed a treaty which effectively meant that the Japanese attack gave the US its cassus belli for war with Germany as well.

Answer 4

The Americans DID NOT declare war on Germany. On December 8, 1941, the UNITED STATES along with Great Britain declared was on Japan . The Americans declared war on Japan in response to the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On December 11, 1941, HITLER (Germany) DECLARED WAR ON THE UNITED STATES. The first American forces landed in England on January 26, 1942. The first battle was not until July 1942 at El Alamein in North Africa. American merchant ships supplying Great Britain and Russia with supplies were sunk by German-U boats, but this was prior to December 1941. The FIRST BATTLE between German and US forces was in Tunisia at the Battle of the Kasserine Pass.

Answer 5

The United States was attacked by Japan when the bombed the Naval Base at Pearl Harbor Hawai'i. The US then declared war on Japan. The following day, Germany declared war on the US.