Why did Roosevelt welcome the news that Italy and Germany decided to declare war on the United States after the attack on Pearl Harbor?
A.
Roosevelt knew Germany and Italy would be easier to defeat.
B.
Roosevelt did not actually want to fight the Japanese.
C.
Roosevelt needed a reason to request help from the Soviet Union.
D.
Roosevelt wanted to keep the focus on the Atlantic.
D. Roosevelt wanted to keep the focus on the Atlantic.
To understand why Roosevelt welcomed the news that Italy and Germany declared war on the United States after the attack on Pearl Harbor, we need to examine the historical context and consider Roosevelt's strategic goals during World War II.
First, it is important to note that the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941, thrust the United States into the war. Up to that point, Roosevelt had been leading a policy of helping Britain and its allies, but the United States had not officially entered the conflict.
When Italy and Germany declared war on the United States, it actually worked in Roosevelt's favor for a couple of reasons:
1. Strengthening Allied unity: By having Italy and Germany declare war on the United States, it solidified the alliance between the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union. It transformed the war effort into a global conflict against the Axis powers, fostering a sense of unity among the Allies. This was important for Roosevelt, as he sought to mobilize a united front to defeat the Axis powers and secure victory.
2. Shifting focus to the European theater: Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt had been primarily focused on supporting Britain and its fight against Germany in the European theater. By having Italy and Germany declare war on the United States, it shifted the focus away from the Pacific theater where Japan initially attacked, and back to the Atlantic theater, where Roosevelt's primary strategic interests lay. This allowed Roosevelt to prioritize the fight against Germany, which he perceived as the greater threat.
In conclusion, Roosevelt welcomed Italy and Germany's declaration of war on the United States after the attack on Pearl Harbor because it solidified the unity among the Allied powers and shifted the focus back to the European theater where he believed victory over Germany was crucial. The correct answer is option D: Roosevelt wanted to keep the focus on the Atlantic.