Alternate ways for America to enter WWII

Driftless

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Total wild-card idea. The Panay incident nearly escalates into war, and the US has to back down because it has no army to speak of. This leads to a proposal for major US rearmament, in part to stimulate the economy (heading back down in 1937-1938), and to sop up some of the unemployed men (there are lots of potential volunteers); but also because with the rise of Nazi Germany, the US needs a real army. By 1939, the US has about 800,000 men in service, including a strong tank corps.


This one has been in the back of my mind for a year or two. Were I writing fiction It would be a definite story.

M2 Medium tanks vs PzII & III on the road to Soissons :)

By 1937, the US had about 500,000 young men in, or who had passed through the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps)program. The camps were supervised by reserve army officers, and while there was no military training, the men in the program were accustomed to hard physical effort in often difficult environments where teamwork was essential. (Many of the buildings and projects those folks built 75+ years ago are still in daily use...)

Many of those men would serve in the OTL military, post-Pearl Harbor. Move up the dates by four years and you still have a very large pool of already screened men to recruit from.
 
The main reason why there cannot be an earlier entry into the war is the US Elections that were scheduled for Nov 5th 1940.

Now while both the Candidates (Roosevelt and Willkie) were both prepared to support the Allies as much as possible (up to but not including declaring war) - both were aware of a perceived 'large' minority in the US who supported a policy of isolationism - so they were obliged to pander to this group of voter's.

Therefore prior to the election they could not be seen to be assisting Britain and France to much.

Post these Elections whoever won would have much greater freedom to support the war against the Axis

Now find some way to bring the election forwards - perhaps Roosevelt and the VP John Nance Garner really really fall out - or both men are murdered - whatever the reason - find a way to bring the Elections forwards and the US Government is now much more free to pursue a more aggressive policy of support - ie declaring the North Atlantic under US protection or some such.

You get the idea!

This leads to a forced Casus Belli allowing the US Gov to declare war or have war declared on them.
 

raharris1973

Gone Fishin'
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Total wild-card idea. The Panay incident nearly escalates into war, and the US has to back down because it has no army to speak of. This leads to a proposal for major US rearmament, in part to stimulate the economy (heading back down in 1937-1938), and to sop up some of the unemployed men (there are lots of potential volunteers); but also because with the rise of Nazi Germany, the US needs a real army. By 1939, the US has about 800,000 men in service, including a strong tank corps. German operations in Spain and Poland are sufficiently appalling that the US public suppports joining the Allies. The US declares war - with the stricture that only volunteers for foreign duty will be sent overseas. The US sends a fully mechanized corps sized AEF to France by March 1940. (The AEF, arriving late, is held in reserve around Reims. When the panzers break through at Sedan, the AEF leads the counterattack and drives the Germans back to the Meuse.)

Very creative idea - It would require great detail to make the change in US priorities and attitudes appear plausible, but interesting idea that goes beyond the more common WWII PoDs of different tactical/operational choices after Sep 1939.
 
Since Hitler's already been mentioned, let me offer the obvious proposal: he simply decides U.S. "neutrality patrol" is an aggression & declares war.:p

As for the U.S.-Japan Pac War any earlier, it's better for Japan than it looks: fewer USN fleet boats in service, & building rates preposterously low yet...:rolleyes: Not great for Sub Force, either, with only NTS (IIRC) building torpedoes in mid-'40.:rolleyes:

OTOH, early exposure to the A6M might get somebody off his ass & the F4U into service sooner...:cool::cool: Even as an AAF LR escort...?:cool::cool: (Google for the F4U with tiptanks.:cool::cool::cool:)

Possibly very bad for Japan, tho: if the Congress declares first, isn't Japan treaty-obligated to come to Germany's aid...?:eek: (Or is that deal not signed yet TTL?)
 
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