Why the United States and Nazi Germany Could Not Have Been Allies During WWII

During World War II, the possibility of the United States and Nazi Germany forming an alliance is highly unlikely due to several key factors. These factors include ideological differences, historical context, the Pearl Harbor attack, aligned interests of the Allies, and strategic alliances.

Ideological Differences

The U.S. and Nazi Germany were fundamentally opposed ideologically. The United States was founded on democratic principles and values individual freedom, liberty, and rights. In stark contrast, Nazi Germany was a totalitarian state rooted in racial superiority, militarism, and the suppression of individual rights. These opposing ideologies made an alliance almost impossible.

Historical Context

Before World War II, the U.S. had embraced a policy of isolationism and was primarily focused on domestic issues, particularly during the Great Depression. However, as Nazi aggression increased in Europe and events like the invasion of Poland by Germany in 1939 unfolded, the U.S. began to shift its stance towards supporting the Allies.

The Pearl Harbor Attack

The pivotal moment that solidified the U.S.'s entry into World War II was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The U.S. declared war on Japan on the same day, and as a result, Germany declared war on the U.S. This declaration definitively aligned the U.S. with the Allied forces.

Allied Interests

The Allied powers, which included the U.S., the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, united against the common threats posed by the Axis powers. Nazi Germany's aggressive expansionism and its atrocities, such as the Holocaust, further alienated it from potential allies.

Strategic Alliances

The U.S. sought strategic alliances with countries that shared common interests in defeating fascism and maintaining global stability. These interests directly opposed the ideologies and ambitions of Nazi Germany. The U.S. formed strong alliances with Britain and the Soviet Union, making any chances of an alliance with Nazi Germany highly improbable.

In summary, the combination of ideological opposition, historical events, and strategic interests made an alliance between the United States and Nazi Germany virtually impossible during World War II. The events leading up to and during the war were too significant to allow for such a strategic partnership.

Additionally, it is important to note that while the U.S. did engage in transactions such as selling weaponry to various nations, these transactions were neither widespread nor significant enough to form an alliance. By the time the U.S. was directly threatened, the decision to support the Allies was already made.