“December 7, 1941, a day that will live in infamy.” Those exact words, spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt were in response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which changed the course of American History forever. Many people do not know the causes that lead the Japanese to bomb Pearl Harbor. Some people believe they did it out of hatred for the United States, others believe that it was for a step up in the war. This paper focuses mainly on the events leading to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the chaos it created, and the aftermath of this devastating tragedy. There are very few people in the world today that actually know what influenced the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In 1937, Japan …show more content…
army private operator at the Army radar station at Opana noticed a large flight of planes heading toward the bay. The exact morning, the base was expecting a flight of B-17s from the United States, so the private was told to ignore them. (Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.) Not one single person knew what was about to hit them. At exactly 7:55 am, the first Japanese dive-bombers were spotted over the horizon, which was part of the nearly 200 aircraft, including bombers, torpedo planes, and fighters. ("EyeWitness to History - History through the Eyes of Those Who Lived It." EyeWitness to History - History through the Eyes of Those Who Lived It. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.). Their goal was to cripple as many planes as possible so that they didn’t have any time to take to the air. Most of the planes were all in one place so that made it an easy target for them. The planes at Ford Island and Kaneohe Bay, the Army Cir Corps fields at Bellows and the Marine Airfield at Ewa, and the Hickam and Wheeler fields were all strafed. Not a single one was preserved. In the first thirty minutes of the attack is when most of the damage was done to the battleships. With the help of five midget subs, the Japanese were able to help aid their airplanes in targeting the battleships. The Arizona exploded when a bomb hit its ammunition room leaving nothing but bits and pieces of debris, and the Oklahoma was damaged so badly that it turned upside down. The Nevada, California, and West Virginia sank in shallow water along the bay area. Everyone thought it was over till the second wave struck at 8:50 am, exactly 45 minutes after the first. This wave came more fiercely. 170 Japanese planes targeted what was left standing, which was only a few ships and less than 10 dogfighters. By 9:55 it was all over. When the Japanese left, they left chaos behind. More than 180 aircrafts were
There were numerous strategic and political reasons that lead to the bombing of Pearl Harbour on December 7th, 1941. However nationalism, militarism and imperialistic notions were key influential factors, which together contributed to the almost complete annihilation of the US Pacific fleet. Based on Japan’s nationalistic beliefs of superiority over Asian nations, the surprise attack attempted to fulfill a change in the balance of power within South East Asia and expose the vulnerability of the West.
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. It was indeed a great shock to the United States, many documents show that the bombing on Pearl Harbor was an attempt to stop the United States from entering into World War II. This attack was the turning in point World War II, and United States making the decision to help the Allies. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor because of its narcissistic political mentality and angered by United States placing the embargo act on oil.
During 1941, despite President Roosevelt wished to stay neutral in WWI; on December 7th, Japan established an unexpected, (though perhaps to be foreseen) assail upon Pearl Harbor, hence the next day war was declared. Prior to Japan’s attack on the U.S; Japan had been struck by an Immigration Policy, embargos on aircraft and parts, a freezing of all its assets and bank accounts, and eventually an embargo on oil and petroleum shipments. The Immigration Act was a forge of shame and humiliation against the Japanese, causing them to become unable to purvey the Yamato race; thus began the first surge of aversion towards the U.S (first-page doc). Embargos on aircraft, parts, and oil would lead to believe Japan to become a third- class nation within two to three years if no action on the U.S policy was taken (as stated in document E). The propositions which were taken by the U.S preceding the attack on Pearl Harbor led Japan to hold a surge of execration, which became a wound Japan sought out vengeance for.
Introduction On December 7th of 1941 one of the most critical events on America’s history occurred, the surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor, which brought the United States into the Second World War and changed the course of history (Gordon). This occurrence marked history due to the lack of explanation given by the Japanese at the time. To this day the reasoning behind their attack is still unknown. 1939 is a fundamental year, which marks the start of World War II.
December 7, 1941-“a date which will live in infamy”. This significant date is known as the day when the Japanese bombarded Pearl Harbor. The massive amount of damage that the Japanese had caused was insufferable. The two hour long assault resulted in the wreckage of eight battleships and 300 airplanes, and more than 2,000 American soldiers were killed and 1,000 were wounded. The inevitable question that seems to always arouse is “why did Japan attack the United States?”
December 7th, 1941. This was the date of one of the most important attacks on the United States in the history of America. This was the date of the Japanese attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor was the last straw that led to the United States joining World War II as part of the Allied Power. The bombing was in reaction to many economic sanctions that were placed on Japan, so the bombing was not just to make the United States mad. We can see many reasons as to why Japan would bomb Pearl Harbor.
The exact number of casualties are very high. By 9:55 that morning 2390 people were killed and 1178 more were wounded. With those number, only 68 civilians were killed. While that seems like a lot there was very high numbers for cost of the damages. 21 Ships were sunk and 323 airplanes were damaged or destroyed. It cost roughly $100 million to make a battleship which 8 were sunk, $2.5 billion dollars for a destroyer which 3 of were sunk. That is only 11 of the 21 ships and it is already $8.3 billion dollars and around 1.5 million gallons of fuel which would be $2.9 million dollars in today’s
President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his war speech and asserted December 7, 1941 as, “a date which will live in infamy.” The United States’ naval bases stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii were struck by Japanese planes intentionally and promptly. The news of this attack on the Pearl Harbor shocked the world. It was devastating to the nation that were still in the throes of depression. Witnesses of this event painted a portrait of a nation stunned, but determined to rise again. The United States’ government had not disclosed a Pearl Harbor story to the public--that the U.S. had failed to act on advance information about a planned Japanese attack. Japan 's move against the United States was audacious enough to be considered no more than a slight possibility, although the potential for an attack had been widely discussed.
It all started the morning of December 7, 1941 when Japanese leaders decided to bomb the United States. Families were then broke apart and things became much more complex in the lives of Americans. Pearl Harbor was not “just a bombing,” but in reality it is so much more. This bombing had a great impact on the whole world for World War II. The bombing of Pearl Harbor had many situations before the bombing, during the bombing, and after the bombing.
The Japanese were in desperate need for resources and raw materials and they discovered Pearl Harbour and decided to invade it. Some countries didn’t like the idea and this led to the war on the Pacific. (Source:A)
On December 7, 1941 the infamous bombing of Pearl Harbour by the Japanese took place, but who was really responsible? Many historians lay the blame with President Franklin D Roosevelt (FDR), citing his approach to the war as antagonistic and inciting a Japanese attack. This report however will highlight that the Japanese were the real antagonises, deliberately and purposely attacking the United States (US), United Kingdom and Holland, and Pearl Harbour was but a pawn in their war plan, thus alleviating FDR of the historical responsibility bequeathed to him over the last 70 years. The key elements within this review focus on Japan's Pacific War plans, FDR's
December 7, 1941 was one of America’s darkest days. This was the day of the famous pearl harbor bombing. This attack came from the Japanese attacking the American Naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The attack had been in the planning for many years to attack and weaken the United States Naval force. Japan wanted to do this to gain more superiority in the Atlantic and to grow their ties with European nations. In this paper I will talk about the people, the planning, the attack, and the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor bombing.
On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, at 7:55 AM the Japanese Empire led a surprise attack on the US Naval base Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, that would leave millions of Americans in shock, and heartbroken. Before the attack, the United States kept a low profile on International affairs, and concentrated on the domestic affairs at hand. This tragic moment in American history forever remembered. It is a mournful day for the American people, although, for the Japanese Empire it was an honorable day, one they would call a
In July 1940, the U.S. placed an embargo on Japan, hoping they would restrain Japan 's military aggression in China. Japan, a proud nation, would not hear of being dictated to by the United States and began to prepare for the attack on Pearl Harbor in early 1941. Meanwhile, there was some warning of the attack on America, but it went without being duly acknowledged. The day before the attack occurred, a code-breaker intercepted a message from the Japanese concerning the movement of ships at Pearl Harbor. The operator relayed the message to the superior officers who said they would get back to the radioman on Monday, December 8, 1941 (Socolow 43). Also, on the morning of the attack, a radar operator saw a large group of airplanes on the radar screen, and when he reported this, the senior officer said it was probably just some US Bombers and not to worry about them (HistoryNet.Com). The Japanese planes flew under the radar by flying through a pass in the mountains called Kolekole Pass. This maneuver added to the surprise of the attack. The frantic attack began on Sunday at 7:55 in the morning. A little before ten the entire attack was over (Pearl Harbor, Attack On). The men of Pearl Harbor fought with valor.
“December 7th 1941- A date that will live in infamy.” This opening statement is the first powerful line said by President Roosevelt to the American people after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This greatness of this opening line will be forever be ingrained in the minds of every American citizen, especially the people who lived during the most significant war of the 20th century. The bombing of Pearl Harbor is an event that can never be forgotten, and President Roosevelt’s speech in response to this appalling attack is just as significant. The objective of this speech was to urge Congress to declare war on Japan. Roosevelt’s speech after Pearl Harbor is one of the more recognizable and important speeches in all of American history. His speech incorporates bountiful instances of rhetorical devices, such as logos, pathos, and ethos. By analyzing these rhetorical devices, one is able to see Roosevelt’s vigorous use of emotion, his strength in addressing his character and reputation rather than focusing too heavily upon appeals to logic and reason, ultimately to get the result he wants from his audience. The profound power of this speech resonates with all who read and hear it.