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Did Germany attack American ships before the US declared its involvement in World War 2?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Foolishly, yes, they did, December 1941.
It has never been made clear why but Hitler/Germany did declare war on the USA at this time, right after Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. That attack, of course, led the USA to declare war on Japan.
Possible reasons Germany engaged the USA:
1) They felt they were already at war. The USA was actively arming and financing German enemies. The USA had attacked many German naval vessels and even murdered some helpless German sailors.
2) Germany hoped that by going against the USA they could get Japan to attack the Soviets in Siberia. No such luck though, as the Japanese were completely outclassed on land to fight a major European army and they knew it.
3) Hitler may have thought he had already won the European war and might as well get into a fight with the USA too. It appeared at the time that Moscow would fall to German forces, which would have crippled the Soviet chances for victory.
Thus Germany would only need to sit and defend their European empire from the west, a relatively easy situation. In other words, Hitler might have thought that the USA involvement in Europe would be of little consequence and a declaration of war was just a political statement.
In retrospect it would have been smarter for Germany to hold off on a declaration. Instead they should have worked to stabilize the eastern front with Russia and build up western defenses. They needed to wait and see what happens between Japan and the USA. With an active war, the USA would probably have pulled back some support for Britain/Russia and put all their military effort into the fight in the Pacific.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoYes. The United States navy began escorting convoys of merchant ships across the Atlantic well before Pearl Harbor. There were clashes between German submarines and American destroyers. I believe some of our ships were actually sunk by the Germans. Michael Montagne
Yes, and they sunk the Destroyer Reuben James (DD245) in 31 Oct 1941. (Before Pearl Harbor and the entrance of U.S.A. in the war.)
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What happened after Pearl Harbor's attack?
After Pearl Harbor was attacked we declared war on Japan. Then Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S.
Why did the US go into war with Germany?
The US did enter into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in the fall of 1941 because Germany has declared war on the US.
How were the Americans drawn into World War 2?
Japan and Germany declared war on the US.
What is the incident that sparked the US declaration of war on Germany?
Germany declared war on the US on 11 December 1941, four days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.
When did US declared war to Germany?
Germany declared war on the US on December 11th.AnswerThey didn't. Germany and Italy declared war on America, after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour.AnswerDecember 8th, 1941
What countries did Canada declare war against?
During World War II, Canada declared war against Germany on September 10, 1939. Additionally, Canada also declared war against Japan on December 7, 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Why did Germany attack the US in 1945?
They didn't. Germany declared war on the US on 11 December 1941
Who declared war in Germany before world war two?
The prime minister of Britain declared war in Germany. The world war 2 started by Germany in a unprovoked attack on poland.
When did the US involvement in world war 2?
The US began it's involvement in WW2 on December 8, 1941.The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
What happened when Germany attacked Portland?
Germany never attacked "Portland" but did attack "Poland" Britain and their allies then declared war on Germany.
What did the US declare war on Germany?
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States declared war on Japan. Because Germany and Japan were in an alliance, Germany then declared war on the US. The United States, in turn, declared war on Germany.
What happened after Pearl Harbor's attack?
After Pearl Harbor was attacked we declared war on Japan. Then Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S.
Why did the US go into war with Germany?
The US did enter into an undeclared shooting war with Germany in the fall of 1941 because Germany has declared war on the US.
Why did the US get involved in the conflict of world war 2?
Pearl Harbor. An unprovoked Japanese attack on an American NAVY base. Shortly after Germany and Italy declared war on them consequently drawing them into the war.
What turned American opinion against Germany during World War 1?
The Zimmerman Telegram, which was a telegram sent by the German ambassador telling Mexico to attack if the U.S. declared war.
Did Austrio-Hungary attack Russia?
Firstly its Austria And Hungary and no they didnt, Germany declared war on russia.
Why does Germany declare war on the us?
In a brief explanation, the U.S. declared war on Japan due to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and other battles in the Pacific. Japan, at the time, was allied to Germany, so Germany declared war on the U.S.
