By September 1941 President Roosevelt doubtless figured: there's no way the Allies are going to win this war without the US in it all-out.
But he could not, would not, must not under any circumstances lead a politically divided nation to war.
But, and a big but, to unite the country he needed some game-changing event -- something to convince every American that it was no longer just a foreign war, but also a war for America's survival and freedom.
So, maybe Adolf Hitler could be provoked into declaring unrestricted submarine warfare on US ships, just as the Kaiser did in the First World War?
Maybe FDR's "shoot on sight" order would rile up the excitable German dictator enough to commit a serious "mistake" against the US?
Then maybe FDR could convince Congress to declare war on Germany...
What do you think?
Maybe FDR’s “shoot on sight” order would rile up the excitable German dictator enough to commit a serious “mistake” against the US?...................................... Yeah, it would be like an Oil Embargo against Japan. Had Hitler remained cool, Roosevelt would have sent all his resources to the Pacific instead of Europe. In that case the Germans may have forced Russia to the negotiating table and the war in Europe may have ended on the eastern front and leaving Germany with the nuisance of Britain. Without our total commitment Britain would probably agree to peace terms. The Germans weren’t interested in the conquest of Britain, they were looking east. Lots of iffy history here.