Declaration/Response

The United States was definitely using its intimidating power of intention to impress on Germany that it would physically stop them from infringing on the rights of other people. As a new global leader, the United States had huge resources, which included men, ships and submarines, to stop Germany’s aggression.  The United States, confirmed by the democratic process (Congress and the President), along with its allies, would protect the rights of people around the world, and place peace as its final objective.
            It appears that Germany rejected the Declaration of War by the United States as illegal; rationalizing the war was between Europe’s nation states.  Germany felt that the United States was arrogant, and had overstepped its boundaries by getting involved with its war with England.  Germany, as a righteous powerful nation, had a legal path to its own destiny without the influence of others.