The Axis Powers during World War II were countries that joined together to expand their territories and to destroy Soviet Communism. The main three Axis Powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan. On September 27, 1940 these countries signed the Tripartite Pact, also known as the Axis Alliance, which joined them together against other allied nations. (ushmm.org) Germany was led into the Axis Alliance by Adolf Hitler. In 1933, Hitler, leader of the Nazi party, was named Chancellor of Germany.
With Japan growing their powers and repeating breaking the truce, United States made a decision to cut off oil and war supplies to Japan. Japan was United States number one importer for oil and war goods. It was a plan United States regrets. On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces struck American fleets in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japan had formed alliances with Nazi German and Fascist Italy, forming the Axis Powers.
Germanys conquers Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Holland, and France. It was easy for Germany to override these countries. The German Air Force then began a bombing campaign against British cities. Japan invades Indochina to strengthen its position. The Lend Lease Act was passed, which gave the president the right to sell or lend was materials to countries fighting against the Axis Powers.
Hitler's pursuit of Lebensraum resulted in Germany exhibiting ultranationalism towards its neighbours. The ultranationalism that Germany was demonstrating led to expansionism and ultimately led the world to a second world war. Hitler created a distorted version of Darwin's Theory of Evolution, known as Social Darwinism. This principle stated that a nations strength was measured by its ability to fight and win wars; any nation displayed to be weak or unable to fight was a target for conquest. Hitler displayed ultranationalism when he put Social Darwinism into action, he was creating a master race.
Why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor? In the 1930s, Japan had its own expansionist intentions- in China, first, then deep into the Pacific. The vastness of empire’s reach led, by necessity, to partnerships. The US was the only hurdle in the Asia that prevents Japan to take over all Asia Pacific countries. Well before bombs fell upon Pearl Harbor, Japan had aligned with Germany, and declare war on US and Britain.
“The three principal partners in the Axis alliance were Germany, Italy, and Japan. These three countries recognized German hegemony over most of continental Europe; Italian hegemony over the Mediterranean Sea; and Japanese hegemony over East Asia and the Pacific” (ushmm.org). “Axis partners had two common interests: Territorial expansion and foundation of empires based on military conquest and the overthrow of the post-World War I international order; and the destruction or neutralization of Soviet Communism” (ushmm.org). “The Allied Powers, headlined by Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union, defeated the Axis in World War II” (ushmm.org). After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States wanted in on the war.
The USA and the Second World War After the First World War the USA had returned to Isolationism, but when war broke out in Europe in 1939, President Roosevelt wanted to help Britain and prepare the USA for war against Germany. How did Roosevelt prepare the USA for war and try to help Britain? In 1939 he asked Congress for $1,300,000,000 to build up the armed forces In 1940 he signed the destroyers for bases deal with Britain. 1n 1941 he signed the Lend Lease Act with Britain. This allowed the US government to supply equipment to Britain which could be returned or paid for at the end of the war On 7 December Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor Address December 8th, 1941 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt attempted to incite action into a nation of troubled Americans after a sudden Japanese onslaught. In his address to congress given the day after the Japanese bombings was a request for a declaration of war upon Japan. Roosevelt created a speech that was dramatic, sufficient, and to the point therefore, understandable to the nation of worried Americans. The purpose of his speech was to clearly present the details of the attack, reveal the Japanese threat along the Pacific, and to thrust America into military action, which successfully led to the United States declaring war with Japan. Throughout the United States, American citizens were still reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Tora! Tora!" broadcasted over the enemy’s radio. The attack would force the United States to immediately declare war on Japan. Due to the "Tripartite Agreement" among Italy, Germany, and Japan, Benito Mussolini of Italy announces war on the United States on 11 December 1941.
The day after the devastating attacks on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt declared war on Japan. In turn Japan, Germany and Italy declared ware on the United States. This was the official start of World War II, a war that would shape the world that is today. President Roosevelt’s most famous words to help raise American pride during this hard