On the morning of Dec. 11 the Government of Germany, pursuing its course of
world conquest, declared war against the United States.
The long-known and the long-expected has thus taken place. The forces
endeavoring to enslave the entire world now are moving toward this
hemisphere.
Never before has there been a greater challenge to life, liberty and
civilization.
Delay invites great danger. Rapid and united effort by all of the
peoples of the world who are determined to remain free will insure a world
victory of the forces of justice and of righteousness over the forces of
savagery and of barbarism.
Italy also has declared war against the United States.
I therefore request the Congress to recognize a state of war between
the United States and Germany, and between the United States and Italy.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
The War Resolution
Declaring that a state of war exists between the Government of Germany
and the government and the people of the United States and making provision
to prosecute the same.
Whereas the Government of Germany has formally declared war against the
government and the people of the United States of America:
Therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled, that the state of war between the
United States and the Government of Germany which has thus been thrust upon
the United States is hereby formally declared; and the President is hereby
authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of
the government to carry on war against the Government of Germany; and to
bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the
country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States
