Why did the us wait so long to enter world war 2?

Answer 1

Actually the attack on Pearl Harbor had nothing to do with the Holocaust. The US was very isolationist up until 1941 and the Holocaust in Europe would have been allowed to continue if the Japanese hadn't drawn the US into WW2. Once engaged on the Allied side, the US had no choice but to fight on all fronts. There was just as much racism in the 1930's in the US as there was in Germany.

Answer 2

There was strong anti-war sentiment in the United States, with the view that it was not 'our fight'. Also, the US was NOT PREPARED in the early days of the war because the military had been very seriously downsized [to nearly nothing compared to what would be required] after the end of the First World War, and the Depression was still affecting the nation's financial capabilities. A few years were necessary for the US to "tool up" the military materiel manufacturing system, the infrastructure and support systems to fight a war, and to create a military capable of effectively conducting an unprecedented world-wide war.j3h.

Answer 3

It depends on what you mean. Canada as a British Commonwealth country declared war on Germany in the first week after the invasion of Poland. USA however, declared neutrality in the same week.

Respecting homeland opinion, the US leaders regarded the conflict between Europeans as their "private matter", and didn't want to take on expenses or casualties because of it, but increase production to sell goods to the partakers.

But when they realized that the outcome could effect United States' future they decided to join in with the allies in WWII and e.g. help the Chinese and helped in the North African battles against Germany.

With time, however, the countries being supplied with resources from USA couldn't pay for it eventually, so the Lend-Lease agreements were put in place.

Although some US citizens regarded Hitler as a hero, other saw him as an enemy that should be stopped through support to the British empire, that stood alone in 1941, before Soviet swapped sides, and also traded with USA and received support.

As in WWI, the US refused to send troops to the war theatres officially before a provocative attack forced a war declaration (1917/1941), and Roosevelt was reelected on the promise that he would keep USA out of the war.

Should the Battle of Britain resulted in the opposite way, then Stalin and Hitler probably would have divided the British Empire (according to negotiations), and perhaps joined forces to take on the US later.

Mexico and Brazil declared war on the Axis in 1942, after some unprovoked attacks by mainly German navy. Many other American nations declared war 1941-1945 without really engaging in battle.

Answer 4

There are several reasons. One of which was that at the time America had a non interventionism policy, which meant avoiding alliances with foriegn countries to avoid being drawn into wars. Most countries tried to avoid being in the war, whihc is actually why WWII started, not wanting to enter war, many countries gave Nazi Germany and Imperialistic Japan a lot of space, which inevitably led to the war. Another reason was that we supposedly did not have the military power to, which i am skeptical about seeing as how when we did join the war our presence made a large difference. Though Ultimately as i said before it is because of the Non-Interventionism policy that the U.S.A. Had at the time. For more information on that subject i suggest searching US Non-Interventionism Policy WWII.

Answer 5

The United States did not enter WWI sooner because they initially wanted to remain neutral in order to keep the Atlantic open for trade with everyone and to not get involved with European politics.

Answer 6

The government wanted to maintain a policy of neutrality for as long as possible. When The US saw their ally (Britan) could fall, they joined to help.

Answer 7

because they're so fat they couldn't move very fast

Answer 8

Americans were tired of war.