ome famous in American history.Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan... (23) Less than an hour after Roosevelt gave his powerful speech, congress voted to declare war on Japan. Roosevelt himself signed the declaration at 4:10 that afternoon (23). In the space of only two days, the United States had gone from a neutral spectator to a major participant in World War II.The United States, Great Britain, Germany, and Japan were four of the largest countries that became heavily involved in the second world war. But, many more nations played smaller roles in the event. For instance, Italy was an ally of Germany and Japan, having signed the Triparte Pact in 1940. But, the Italians were less than essential to Hitler's domination of Europe, and Benito Mussolini, dictator of Italy, suffered many humiliating defeats at the hands of the allies (Keegan et al).Another country that played a role in the war in Europe was the U.S.S.R. Once considered neutral in the war because of a nonaggression treaty with Germany, the Soviet Union was drawn into the fighting on June 22, 1941, when the German offensive code-named Operation Barbarossa began. The German forces planned to attack the Soviets at three points - Leningrad, Moscow, and Stalingrad, and were expected to be completed in 6 weeks. The Russians proved firm, however, and defended their capital and country with great effort, eventually stopping the Germans from advancing.France was a third major European state that was caught up in the chaotic beginnings of World War II. Allied with Great Britain, France joined in the battle of Europe after the invasion of Poland in 1939. Unfortunately, Hitler's forces eventually invaded France, ending their ability to fend off the attacks of the Axis powers.Germany's invasion of Poland in late 1939 is considered the major event t...
