History Undone What if Germany DID NOT Declare war on the US in 1941? The atomic bomb is dropped on Berlin
Aug 22, 2025
Klaus Schmider, a Senior Lecturer and author specializing in WWII strategies, teams up with Rear Admiral Chris Parry, a noted historian, to explore the hypothetical scenario where Germany doesn't declare war on the U.S. in 1941. They discuss the ripple effects of such a decision, including potential advantages for Hitler against the Soviet Union. The conversation delves into the strategic miscalculations leading to the declaration, the dynamics of the Axis powers leading up to Pearl Harbor, and how this choice might have altered the course of WWII and global relations.
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Germany Dominated But Was Stretched Thin
- By December 1941 Germany dominated continental Europe but its forces were strained by Barbarossa and winter logistics.
- The US was mobilising rapidly but lacked a two-ocean navy and full readiness, so timing mattered.
German Surprise And Apprehension Over Japan
- Berlin expected Japanese action but doubted its scale and timing, making Pearl Harbor a shocking surprise to many.
- German leaders feared a ‘far eastern Munich’ where the West might appease Japan after early victories.
Tripartite Pact Was Defensive, Yet Germany Encouraged Japan
- The Tripartite Pact was mainly defensive and didn't obligate Germany to join an offensive Japanese strike on the US.
- Germany nevertheless encouraged Japan to distract the US to keep American focus away from the Atlantic and Britain.
