“Millions of people gave their lives fighting fascism and imperialism, but Pearl Harbor was the event that forever changed the course of human history” (Sam Graves). Pearl Harbor was a saddening and surprising bombing on the United States by the Japanese. This event happened on the Sunday morning of December 7th, 1941 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Pearl Harbor bombing shocked millions across the country and sent the United States into complete chaos and even though the country was against going to war, America stood united. “Despite the enormity of the defeat at Pearl Harbor, and its potential consequences, [President] Roosevelt remained steady and sure-minded” (Gillon p.xv). During World War II, Pearl Harbor stood as a significant turning …show more content…
Harry Elmer Barnes says, “An intriguing and not full resolved point stems from the fact that the Japanese learned from the Germans at the end of April, 1941, that the United States had broken their Purple code in which they sent top secret diplomatic messages.” Even though they were supposedly told that the Americans had exposed their secret code, the Japanese continued to send messages in it because “it would make it all the more clear to the American officials that Japanese peace efforts were sincere” (Barnes p.14). The Japanese were prepared to go to war if the peace treatise were to be broken and according to Barnes, “In January, 1941, Roosevelt and Hull rejected the amazingly generous Japanese effort to settle Japanese-American relations by peaceful methods,” therefore it was a matter of time before the Japanese decided to take action against the United Sates. The significance of Pearl Harbor resonates in the hearts of every person in the United States of America. Children, adults, soldiers, workers, and all civilians felt how serious this event was. For years after, children were taught about Pearl Harbor and to remember the hardship that the United States has been through to fight for
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
When Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941, it set into motion a chain of events that would radically transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of people that, in one way or another, had ties to Axis countries, though they were not necessarily loyal to them (Harmening). This transformation started with government-sponsored arrests and kidnapping of Japanese, Germans, and Italians living in America and Latin America (Russell 39).
In The American Journey, David Goldfield et al. state that “Americans in the 1930s wanted no part of another overseas war by a wide margin.” Americans were still recovering for the ramifications of World War I and feared our intervention in any foreign conflict. In the fall of 1941, their reluctance was still abounding even though Germany achieved many victories abroad, the British were toiling to save their empire and Japan’s monumental aggression towards China escalated. In fact, Goldfield et al. noted that, “President Roosevelt’s challenge was to lead the United States toward rearmament and support for Great Britain and China without alarming the public.” Unfortunately, the aftermaths of World War I had set the tone for World War II since many small new nations in Europe felt the upper hand of Germany, Japan, Italy and the Soviet Union. Furthermore, the United States was not highly regarded by these nations, especially Japan, whose nationalists felt that they were unjustly treated after World War I. As much as the United States was trying to remain neutral and President Roosevelt wanted Americans to stay out of World War I, the inevitable came to fruition when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Goldfield et al. indicated that, “Speaking to Congress the following day, Roosevelt proclaimed December 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy.” He asked for and got a declaration of war against Japan. Hitler and Mussolini declared war on the United States
“A date which will live in infamy (Roosevelt).” There were three part to this attack, what lead to the attack, the actual attack and the aftermath. The world was at war and the United States didn’t want to get too involved until the attack happened. During the attack on Pearl Harbor the United States made the decision to join the War. The United States joining the war brought the most crucial years to follow along with the dropping of the atomic bomb. The attack on Pearl Harbor was the beginning of the a very long war that cost the lives of many people but brought a nation together.
December of 1941, fundamentally altered the United States and its role globally. Pearl Harbour changed attitudes related to war involvement for many American’s. Patriotism soared like
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.
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.
Both Pearl Harbor and 9/11 are tragic events in United States history, that will likely be remember in American history by even the least historically educated of the American populace and likely much of the rest of the world too. Both events were surprise attacks on American soil and both led to a fervor of patriotism from the American people to get revenge for those that died in the attacks. This paper will compare and contrast the two events, while providing a basic outline of the events and affects the two had on American society, in both the immediate and long term.
“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.
“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941- a date which will live in infamy- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan” (1). These are the words Franklin Delano Roosevelt chose to begin his Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan. FDR’s speech was a call to arms, and in his speech he expressed outrage towards Japan and confidence in inevitable triumph. The speech was a request to declare war against Japan and to bring the United States into World War II. FDR’s speech was successful in bringing the United States into World War II because FDR presented facts explaining why war needed to be declared and used righteous indignation
On December 7, 1941 an “unexpected” attack altered the lives of many U.S. citizens located in Pearl Harbor. At first the attack was just a preventative measure from Japan to prevent the U.S. from interfering with the war Japan was planning to start with Southeast Asia. The aerial attack bombs resulted in the United States entry into World War II which had previously been going on for more than two years in Europe. The causes of the attack on Pearl Harbor can be justified by a number of reasons but the most evidential would be because of Japans imperialism. As Japan began to expand and invade China along with troops in French Indochina the United States gave japan the option to stop with their imperial ways or Japan would be cut off from all
The past 120 years have brought many changes, as well as surprises, to the United States of America. There have been inventions such as the automobile, the airplane, the television and even travel in space. There have been changes like the World Wars, Prohibition, the Great Depression and the cold war. Through the years, the American people have encountered joy, peace, and tragedy. One of the greatest tragedies experienced by Americans occurred on Sunday, December 7, 1941, the bombing of Pearl Harbor Naval Base. One could consider this incident the first act of terrorism against America. The attack and defeat of the United States at Pearl Harbor forced America into World War II. This single act left a tremendous impact on society and is
December 7, 1941, the day that will always be remembered as the day “which will live in infamy” by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. On this specific date, Japanese kamikaze bombers attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor destroying 188 aircraft, 19 ships and killing over 2,000 Americans. This destructive act against Americans done by the Japanese was the act that drove the, at the time neutral United States of America, into World War II. While the act of injustice was being displayed was so sudden, many questions were being inquired. One of the predominant ones being how did Pearl Harbor affect American society?
The bombing that accrued December 7, 1941 at the Pearl Harbor navy base was the beginning of a new war for the United States. It has been about 77 years since Japan first bombed Pearl Harbor. It was the battle that caught everybody but the Japanese off guard. More than 2,400 lives’ were lost and will be remembered for their bravery. This was the event that lead to the second World War occurrence. The Pearl Harbor attack is the most heavily document event in history even though it was only two hours. Many were lost and are still remembered today for their bravery.
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 victory. People believed that the Japanese Empire attack on Pear Harbor was deceitful, treacherous and for no reason at all. Yet, there is a reason behind their attack, it was a