Germany's Biggest Mistake: Hitler Declares War on the U.S

Germany declares war on the U.S December 11, 1941

It's four days after the day that will live in infamy. America is reeling from the staggering, unprecedented attack on its naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Of course, America immediately declared war on Japan, but we never wanted to get fully entangled in a war in Europe, not again. However, this all changes with a communique from Berlin stating that the Third Reich has declared war on the United States. World War II now has all of its players.

Of course, the U.S had been slightly involved in the war up until this point. The only reason why the U.S hadn't gotten involved earlier is because the majority of Americans at that time were isolationists. President Roosevelt had known that involvement in the war was almost inevitable. This is why he enacted the first peacetime draft in U.S history in 1940. Also, in order to help Britain, the U.S has involved in Lend-Lease, the providing of war materiel to bolster Britain's declining resources. Finally, while no U.S troop had fought in the war up to this point officially, there were two notable unofficial groups of U.S pilots who were recruited by China and Britain to help them fight the Japanese and the Germans, respectively.  The Chinese group, under the leadership of General Chennault, were known as the Flying Tigers, and the British group were known as the RAF Eagle Squadron; an example in the Eagle Squadron's role in the war is seen in the film "Pearl Harbor".

On the German side, however, things were a little more complicated. The German High Command did not want to get America involved. They knew that having another enemy, and one so powerful as the U.S would be disastrous, especially considering the stalemate in North Africa and the stalled drive in the Soviet Union. Hitler, on the other hand, knew that his vision for a perfect would would not be complete until America is gone. This can be seen in his book "Mein Kampf". Also, since Japan had already declared war on America Germany was obligated to follow suit per the Axis Treaty. It's important to note that this sort of thing is how Germany got brought into World War I as well.

America would not get directly involved in the war in Europe until mid 1942; their first priority was to rebuild morale at home with the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo. The Americans wouldn't be the supreme fighting machine they would become by the end of the war at first. The sands of North Africa will be a crucible for America, and from it we would emerge as the power to crush both Germany and Japan. Until next time, take care, and thanks for reading.