@CC:
Come on Moses, i’m not that ignorant. British intelligence “leaked” documents to the Germans suggesting that America would be declaring war on Germany. Hitler declared war on America pre-emptively. I believe that Pearl Harbour was unrelated.
Yep, leave it to those “sneaky” Brits to leak documents to the Germans. Kind of like the Zimmerman Note, no? However, I’m not exactly sure how the above comment relates to “America wouldn’t even have been in WWII if Germany hadn’t declared war on it.” There are many reasons why Germany declared war on US: Rome-Tokyo-Berlin Axis, Victory Syndrome, Active Conflicts between German U-Boats and US Destroyers, US Breaking “Neutrality” Laws, and other factors. As for Germany declaring war “preemptively,” I’m not exactly sure what you mean by this.
At the same time, America was quite hesitent to enter WWII, and would not have landed in France earlier than 1942.
Plausible, though if British called a D-Day Invasion a no-go, chances are America would not have “gone it alone.” In regards to the earlier statement, it was well known about America’s isolationist statement and there is creditability in it. Should we have intervened 1939? That remains to be debated. However, please read more America’s history before WWII (fighting the Great Depression, resentment of WWI, ect) before commenting on our “hesitancy.” I will say that the majority of Americans did support a form of “active neutrality” that might’ve resulted in war. Then there is the American Constitution itself, which does not permit US to enter a war unless declared upon, attacked, or invaded.
“No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.” - Article I, Section 10, Clause 3
ouch. You hurt me when you say that Moses. The fact is the world is getting smaller. This begs the question - what kind of Europe would the US have preferred dealing with - a Jewless/Slavic-less etc. dictatorship governed by a crazed lunatic? Or Hitler’s Germany . . . ( )
Sorry, I have no idea what you’re saying. I merely wanted an answer to your assertion “It took a declaration of war against the US before they finally gave more than token assistance to the Allies.” I brought out America’s cash and carry, lend lease, destroyers for bases, Naval Coverage into active war zones, et al. So far your response has been less than fulfilling.
Fair enough. Much of the developed world is perhaps not so obvious about it - perhaps America’s wealth and power exaggerate this phenomenon.
I can only give you a penitent response that as an American and a Communist, I will try harder in the future.
Well, as i said, there was some token assistance given early on, but only as much as Roosevelt felt was politically feasible. Too many Americans did not want to be involved, and both German elements (the 5th column) and the “American-Firsters” were quite active in delaying the American foray into the war.
Again, Congress kept Roosevelt’s hands tied behind his back when the war broke out. He tried the best he could and as the war continued (and the Allied situation worsened), the American people began to support Roosevelt’s daring actions more and more. By 1941, many Americans were supporting any means short of war.
