Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler

Source: Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler, Wikimedia

Prior to the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, Benito Mussolini of Italy (pictured on the left) and Adolf Hitler of Germany (pictured on the right) allied with Japan to form the Axis Powers. They also declared war on America, and the United States responded with a war declaration against those two nations on December 11th, 1941.

So, why Europe first. . . ?

Anguish and hostility was high in America toward Japan. However, President Roosevelt knew that the greatest threat to world security was in Europe. In the Pacific theater of war, the United States and its allies would maintain a defensive posture for the time being as they mounted major offensives in Europe and North Africa.

Click on the light blue and dark blue territories in the map below.

Focus on all the territory in light blue.

The dark blue territories are areas Germany or Italy occupied (took over) and the lighter shade of blue shows territory Germany and Italy were advancing into (trying to take over).

What conclusions have you drawn from looking at this map?

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It appears that Germany and Italy are about to take over all of Europe. That is why President Roosevelt decided that America should focus its efforts on halting German and Italian forces first rather than wage and all-out war against Japan upon entering the war.