US entry into the Second World War took place after the Japanese attack on the central base of the US Pacific Navy Pearl Harbor. In Europe, they participated in hostilities in France (mainly in Normandy), Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium. Also, US military forces were represented in Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. In this article, we will talk about the reasons for the US participation in the war, what events led to this.
Previous events
US entry into World War II did not happen immediately. Initially, America did not participate in the conflict in Europe. It was not until 1941 that the entry of the United States into World War II became a reality. By that time, more than two years had passed since Hitlerattacked Poland.
Despite the fact that American troops did not take any part in the war until a certain point, there was a tense situation in society. There was a feeling that it would not be possible to stay away. This was facilitated by disturbing events in the world.
The Japanese, who acted as allies of Germany, took advantage of the defeat of France, demanding in September 1940 the right to establish their air bases in North Vietnam. Because of this, there is a danger of losing Indonesia, where the oil fields were located, and Singapore.
In July 1941, Japan officially announced its aggressive plans. At a specially convened conference, the decision to continue moving south was announced. It was then that a protectorate was established over Indochina.
Stimson Doctrine
After these events, the Stimson doctrine used by the Americans, also known as the "doctrine of non-recognition", could no longer be applied.
Recall, Henry Stimson was a US Secretary of State who preferred to avoid complications with the Japanese government. He articulated America's position on imperial aggression in China 10 years earlier.
Aggression began in 1931, after which China counted on the support of the United States and the League of Nations. However, the Americans declared that the actions of the Japanese were in accordance with the Briand-Kellogg Pact, which implied the renunciation of war in resolving issues of national policy, adopted in 1928. When the Japanese troops began to move deep into China, Stimson preferred to take a positionrefusal to recognize the Japanese conquests.
In 1933, Stimson retired. Cordell Hull was appointed as the new Secretary of State, forced by the situation to act more decisively.
Economic sanctions
The very next day after the establishment of a protectorate over Indochina, the US authorities impose an embargo on the supply of oil and petroleum products to Japan. The navy receives an order to prevent tankers from any third countries from entering the Japanese islands. All US assets of this country are frozen.
US troops stationed in Hawaii are on alert. A detachment of US officers is sent to China. The Panama Canal is closed to Japanese ships.
In October, the Prime Minister of the Asian country Konoe resigns along with the entire government. His place is taken by General Hideki Tojo, known for his aggressive policy.
Negotiations
Negotiations are underway between the countries, but they do not end with anything.
Historians claim that all the parties involved in them initially understood that they would not be able to reach a compromise, a real clash was not long to wait.
November 24, the Department of State sends a note to the Japanese government rejecting the proposed agreement and criticizing their position. The Americans demand the withdrawal of troops from Indochina and China, as well as the conclusion of a non-aggression pact with the Netherlands, China, Great Britain, the USA, Thailand and the USSR. Only under these conditions were America ready to resume trade.
Tokyo took Secretary of State Hull's note as an ultimatum, concluding that only war could resolve the differences.
Attack on Pearl Harbor
December 7 at 7:55 local time, the Japanese air force strikes the US military base at Pearl Harbor. In Japanese terminology, this attack is known as the Hawaiian Operation.
US Pacific Fleet lost five battleships, three more were damaged. Three destroyers and three light cruisers were disabled. At the airfields that were located in the immediate vicinity of Pearl Harbor, the Americans lost about 300 aircraft. The Americans lost about 2,4 thousand people killed.
The Japanese also suffered losses. They lost 29 aircraft and several submarines with their entire crew.
December 7, 1941 - the date the United States entered World War II.
First fighting
Already 6 hours after this attack, American submarines and warships were ordered to begin military operations against Japan in the Pacific Ocean. The reasons for the US entry into World War II were not only the inability to ignore the aggressor located in the neighborhood, but also the fact that the aggressor was the first to deal a crushing blow that simply could not be ignored.
In Congress, US President Roosevelt delivers a speech in which he declares war on Japan. Thus, the entry of the United States intoWorld War II was followed by the defeat at the Battle of Pearl Harbor. The response was virtually immediate.
Pacific Command received an order to launch a submarine and air operation against Japan. All submarines were officially allowed to sink any vessel flying the Japanese flag without warning.
For Japan, the attack on Pearl Harbor was, in fact, a response to the Hull note. The fact that the US entry into the Second World War followed only after a direct attack on its own military base, in the future served as the subject of accusations from the allies. They reproached them that the Americans took a wait-and-see attitude to the last, trying to get away from the conflict.
Declaration of war by European powers
After the US entered World War II, Japan's European allies announced their support for Japan. Already on December 11, Italy and Germany declared war on America. Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria did the same two days later.
The Tripartite Pact was signed between Japan, Germany and Italy. This document officially announced that all three countries were ready to fight against the United States and England to the bitter end, and under no circumstances would agree to a separate peace.
Hitler delivered his speech about declaring war on America in the Reichstag in the days when the German army began to experience the first serious problems on the territory of the USSR. At the same time, in fact, the United States and Germany were in a position of undeclared war inAtlantic Ocean. However, in this situation, Roosevelt waited, wanting to see what the Nazi dictator would do.
Japanese successes
After the successful operation at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese forced the US to enter World War II. At the same time, the initiative in the Pacific turned out to be on their side.
Asians confidently moved forward. In a few months of confrontation they unleashed in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, they managed to capture Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, most of the islands of Indonesia, the Philippines, part of New Guinea, Hong Kong, Wake, Guam, the Solomon Islands and New Britain.
About 150 million people ended up in Japanese-occupied territories.
Consequences
Speaking briefly about the entry of the United States into World War II, as well as the consequences of this event, it is worth recognizing that the participation of the Americans contributed to the speedy victory over fascism. Although still not as fast as many expected. In addition, there were no American troops in Europe for a long time.
The Americans launched active military campaigns in the Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, directly in North Africa.
In Western Europe, the Americans began direct combat operations only after the Tehran Conference, held at the end of 1943. It was attended by the leader of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and head of the British government Churchill.
The main result of the conference was the agreement on the opening of the allied front. As a result of Operation Overlord, northwestern France was rapidly liberated. Germany was henceforth doomed to defeat, which was only a matter of time.
In total, the Americans lost 418 thousand people in the war. More than 670 thousand were wounded, more than 130 thousand were captured. So far, 74,000 American servicemen are listed as missing.
