Events That Led to the United States Involvement In World War II

Even though it is believed that World War I was initialized by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, others believe that there were a number of issues that played into the start of the war. There are said to be four areas that played into the cause of World War I, including the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the other three are imperialism, militarism, and nationalism. In this paper, we will discuss all of these areas to see how they played a part. We will also discuss what events drew the United States into World War I.

Throughout time scholars have examined human history and many events come to mind. While many of these events have good explanations or just reasons why they occurred, there are a handful of events that had no rhyme or reason, and these events will continue to baffle scholars for centuries to come. There is one event that continues to stand out when considering the events of the 1900's. The events of World War II are extremely broad and abundant, from the advances in technology and warfare to the use of genocide to gain power. However, three main catalysts that brought the U.S. into the war include Adolf Hitler, the Holocaust, and the attack on Pearl Harbor.

World War II began in 1939 and ended in 1945. This war killed more people and destroyed more property than any other war with fifty-nine countries being involved in(2). Pearl Harbor, the first sneak attack by another country on US soil was a pivotal beginning to the war for the United States. There were many reasons for the United States to get involved into the war and help its allies, but it was Pearl Harbor which forced us into it. Because of Pearl Harbor, Hitler and the crimes against humanity that he committed it justified United States entry into the war.

From their radio pick up they thought it was a group of 12 expected to be American B 17 Flying Fortresses going from California to the Philippines via Hawaii. (Alchin 2). At 7:15 Japan launched their second wave of 168 aircraft carriers. At 7:49 am the commander of the Japanese, Comdr. Mitsuo Fuchida, exclaimed the code word, “Tora! Tora! Tora!” Which means “Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!” meaning that they had surprised the enemy with a lightning attack. (Alchin 2). Then at 7:55 am the United States Comdr. Logan C. Ramsey orders the operators to send out a message to every ship and base; that read “AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR X THIS IS NOT A DRILL!” (Alchin 2). At 8:00 am, the group of 12 American B 17 bombers were unarmed and unaware of the Japanese attack. The United States 12 planes were only able to dodge the Japanese planes because they did not get the message about the attack from the operators. America had 100 ships in Pearl Harbor but the main targets for Japan were the 8 battle

World War II is one of the most recognized battles in the history of the world. The battle originated with Germany’s invasion of Poland. This sparked the beginning of the war, though the United States was not yet involved. The U.S. came into the picture after the attack on Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941. Though Japan was the more “direct opponent”, the United States Army Rangers, Marine Corps., and every other branch of military took on Japan and Germany.

They came, unwarned. On the 7th of December 1941, the Japanese executed a full-fledged attack on Pearl Harbor. They mercilessly created havoc, with attacks that caused the sinking of eighteen American ships, as well as 170 aircrafts. The casualties were dreadful, with 1,177 of those lost lives had been of the crewmen. The very next day, President Roosevelt declared war on Japan, and thus the United States’ involvement of World War II. Americans of every state were absolutely enraged and bent on their will for vengeance against the Asian country. Within the shadows of galvanized America, Robert Oppenheimer had set his infamous Manhattan Project into action. This project was so disclosed that only a limited number of men truly knew of its purpose. The clandestine project held prior securities to the point in which famous scientists had to use codenames in order to visit Los Alamos, even wives were kept in the dark, and only key scientists could bring their wives along with them. (Source D) This project had been the discreet creation of the Atomic Bombs. Time and time again, this topic had never really dissipated, its controversial who, what and whys prompting generations to debate its palpable purpose. Was the aim really focused for the “good of all?” Was it for America’s self-preservation and wish to promptly put an end to all of the suffering? Many Americans to this day still believe and argue for the usefulness of the atomic bombings, that the droppings were justified.

December 7, 1941: Attacks on Pearl Harbor: Around November 25, the US intercepted a message of an imminent attack on US soil. In addition, Japan started to move its navy towards Hawaii. Washington’s response to this was a warning to Hawaii, indicating the anticipated attack. However, on December 7, 1941, a fleet on Japanese bombers approached Pearl Harbor with the intent to bomb the navy port. US navy ships were left defenseless as the Japanese torpedoes starting to sink them. Within two hours, US lost eight battleships, two cruisers, and more than a hundred planes. About two thousand soldiers died and one thousand were injured. As a result of this attack, President Roosevelt addressed the Congress, asking for the declaration of war. On

World War II was a devastating war that impacted the entire world. It is estimated that nearly 60 million people were killed, including civilians. The fight was between the Allies and Axis powers. While the United States tried to remain neutral in the war and not get involved. However, due to Japan’s military launching

World War II was possibly the most significant period of the 20th century. “It brought about major developments in technology and laid the groundwork that permitted post-war social changes including the end of European colonialism, the civil rights movement in the United States, and the modern women’s rights movement, as well as the programs for exploring outer space” (History.net). On September 1st 1939, Hitler began World War II by invading Poland and on September 3rd, Britain and France declared war on Germany. America wasn’t in the involved in the war until December 7th, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

About 350 aircrafts came storming over Pearl Harbor dropping hundreds of bombs attempting to sink The United State’s ships. On December 7,1941 Japan made a surprise attack on the U.S. at Pearl Harbor. Nearly 2,400 people were killed during the bombing. The following day The United States declared war on Japan which brought them into World War 2. Japan attacked pearl harbor because they wanted to be imperialistic, they were upset about the embargo and laws placed on them, and Japan was concerned about the size of the United States Navy fleet.

World War II was a tremendously impactful war which was fought during the forties. It had many turning points and great changes that turned not only the United States but the world. One of the first events that occurred was the rise of Communism. With the rise of communism it caused panic in the country of the United States. The panic was inevitable because anyone could be suspected of being a communist. Also, with communism rapidly spreading in Europe it was hard for the United States to stay in a state of isolationism. Therefore, a key factor of the United States abandoning isolationism and joining the war was the incidence of Pearl Harbor. The bombing of Pearl Harbor was sent by Japan. As a result, the United States declared war on Japan and World War II started. After the war, the impact continued. After World War II, the Cold War began; which was a start to a race in technology, space, and power. The Cold War lasted several decades and was a reaction to World War II.

The Pearl Harbor bombing killed 2335 people and another 1000 were wounded.(Davis, Paul K.) The Hawaiian fortress and naval base were built with but one potential enemy in view, Japan. Studies concerning the Japanese bore on their military characteristics. It was well known that they were given to treachery and surprise. The President himself, less than a fortnight before Pearl Harbor, remarked that the Japanese “are notorious for making an attack without warning.”("Pearl Harbor in Retrospect.") The peaceful islands of Hawaii were ruthlessly attacked by fighter planes, and bombers that killed many people, but also changed the lives of thousands. On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed the United States in Pearl Harbor, causing the United States to justifiably respond by dropping the atomic bomb on Japan.

The notice for an attack would come via an intercepted transmission on December 6 to the Japanese Ambassador detailing a secretive 14 part message due to be transmitted and when advised, given to the American authorities. 13 parts were received and deciphered before midnight on December 6. Those 13 parts contained a history from Japan's perspective on what had happened in the war thus far and how they felt about it. Part 14, the most important part, was received by the decoders at 4am on December 7. By 10am they had deciphered and sent it to President Roosevelt. At 10.30am an addition to the message was received. It detailed that the message was to be handed over by the Ambassador at 1pm that afternoon. This also happened to be the time for the first attack however no location was given. Henry L Stimson the Former Secretary of War as recorded in What Happened at Pearl Harbour states the following regarding the MAGIC code:

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor is located on the Hawaiian Island of Honolulu. More than 2,400 United States service personnel were killed. Fifteen U.S. ship were sunk and 188 U.S. air crafts were destroyed. “ The attack lasted 110 minutes, from 7:55 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.”, according to Pearl Harbor Facts - 20th Century History - About.com. On July 26, 1942, President Truman issued “ Proclamation Declaration”, which led to Japan’s surrender. If they would have dropped the bomb, which was Proclamation Declaration, 500,000 Americans soldiers lives were at stake.

World War II was a very important event in American history, but as bad as war is or seems to be there always seems to have better outcomes in the end. By the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and bringing America into the war it opened the eyes of all Americans to the problems not only domestically but internationally and the biggest problem that was discovered after the completion of World War II was the level of social equality around the world. It had been a problem that had plagued the world for many years but the atrocities that brought about by the war coupled with the ever growing eye of the media caused for greater concern in the light of social equality in the world.