What if the US stayed neutral in World War 2?

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In this alternate history scenario the US is adamant at staying neutral in World war two, and doesn’t want to have anything to do with any warring side.

Images used in thumbnail:
I Want You for U.S. Army poster by James Montgomery Flagg, Public domain
Stuka dive bomber, captured by Allies in North Africa, 1941 - Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) by Daderot, CC0

[Binkov]

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[derlasercrafterwally]

Saving Private Ryan would be a doctor movie because he would have a car accident and has to be saved

[BritishEmpireForHisMajesty]

Japan invading New Zealand? Ha. The New Zealand Army consisting of 4 guys and a Bob Semple tank would resist any assault.

[pinksheep]

The war would have been dragged on for another 2-3 years with a possible peace treaty if this scenario played out. Also like half of Britain would have just straight up starved and japan would have conquered the pacific with little opposition.

[Tghar]

It all depends on the definition of "neutrality". If that also means no lend-lease and no maritime delivery of materials for wartime production, both Britain and the USSR would have a big problem. Especially because we know nowadays how bad the supply situation was in GB and the USSR at some points in the war.
I personally think there would be an impact on the soviet tank and aircraft production. Key materials were hard to come by without the US. Rubber was a big issue.

[hawawah]

"The US cuts off trade with everyone"
"We liked the Great Depression so much we came back for seconds"

[pumkintheboi]

European theater: literally has countries on the brink of collapse

Japan in asia: *its free real estate*

[markbrisec]

Although it's very entertaining to watch these kind of alternate history what if scenarios, they entail such a huge number of variables mixed with a healthy dose of chaos theory inputs, that it's practically impossible to recreate the potential string of events that would constitute a coherent history events.
This particular alternate history presented by Binkov is as possible as thousands of others any one of us could think of and create in our heads. Just imagine that the nuclear weapon wasn't discovered by the US and the impact that single event, (or better to say the lack of event) would have on a history of the 20th century.

[xisotopex]

this doesnt really take into account how degraded the USSR response to Germany would be, given no lend lease. it assumes the USSR would still be able to produce the same amount of tanks... for example they wouldnt produce the same amount of tanks, those resources would have to go into logistics transport ie trains trucks airplanes etc.
not to mention Germany would be able to devote much more of its strength to the Eastern front, not having to fight in the west as well.

[Tankerpaul]

Anybody who has ever played the game "Risk" knows that the Australians are just waiting for us all to be distracted fighting each other. This is when they will start their move.

[Koolaidheart]

New Zealand would never fall, they had the bob simple tank. The best tank of the 20th and 21st century. We’re still decoding the alien hardware that was put into it.

[benjaminrush]

Like some of these Alternate Analysis. Makes history more interesting. Thanks.

[davidglover]

Could you do a continuation of the US joining Germany in WWI? That one was really interesting

[flipdart]

One thing I read that stuck with me was how difficult it would have been for the Nazi's to exploit the Caucasus oil fields even if they captured them. No existing pipe-lines and direct rail lines would mean investing in a vast infrastructure project just shipping the oil back to Germany as well as needing to build new oil refineries for it. It would have taken years, at least.

[AvishekBhattacharya_Drazile]

Greatly interesting and thoughtful video, Binkov! Loved it!

However, assuming your hypothesis of 6:22 and 7:43 it seems to contradict each other. Furthermore, success of Japanese army/navy in 1902 Russo-Japanese war amply demonstrated ability of Japan small army to take on Russian Bear in Far East. Effectively, making Russia fight a 2-front war just like Germany.

Don't you think so? What's the economic/strategic value of New Zealand and Indonesia over resource rich Far East Russia?

[davidmouser]

The US bomber raids alone halved German production so have you included the doubling of Panzers, Flak, Uboats, & aircraft?

[paulsteaven]

What if US stayed neutral during WWII?

Japan: "It's free real estate."

[Daniel_Lancelin]

Alternate title: What if the Sleeping Giant hit the "snooze" button?

[patrickmichael]

Glad I found your channel. The what-if scenario was a favorite game of my mother's and mine when I was a child, this is like seeing hours and hours of discussion and beautiful Technicolor. I propose a what if scenario to you, what if Hitler left Western Europe alone and Japan stayed out of the Pacific and China? Culminating, Operation Barbarossa on two fronts? Keep up the good work.

[dizzyonaball]

Couple of points. Binkov's scenario doesn't take into account the effect of the RAF having no fighters using 100 RON fuel from the USA. This has huge impact on not only Spits + Hurricanes aerial battles with Bf 109s on 87 RON, but even if they could get up to decent enough altitude in time to engage with advantage. Maybe the BoB isn't lost so quickly that a 1940 invasion can take place (Dowding system should preclude that) but the threat for 1941 could be real enough to restrict the Desert Air Force etc to a few squadrons of Blenheims, Gloucesters and other 2nd raters.

OTOH, Binkov is way too generous in describing the USA "giving" 50 WWI era destroyers to the UK. The bases-for-destroyers deal was a one-sided bit of fleecing (prime Atlantic and Caribbean real estate for decrepit hulks that took many months to make seaworthy) that even Chief Justice John Marshall would have had trouble justifying.