How Pearl Harbor Changed American History

WWII was filled with constant terror and unexpected attacks. On December 7, 1941 Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese attack devastated most of the pacific fleet stationed in Pearl Harbor. The devastating attack left an aftermath of 2,403 Americans dead, 12 battleships sunk, and 150 aircraft destroyed (Japanese Attack). After the attack many Americans were filled with fear and anger. Only one day after the attack, President FDR signs the declaration of war against Japan (US declares war on Japan). The attack on Pearl Harbor caused the divided US to unify as one on going to war against the Axis powers.

The day of December 7, 1941, makes most Americans cringe. As said by Franklin D. Roosevelt or FDR, “a date which will live in infamy.” On this day, Japanese fighter planes bombed the Pearl Harbor Navy base and demolished 20 navy vessels, 8 battleships, and 300 planes. 2,000 American soldiers and sailors were killed along with 1,000 that were wounded. Every American was appalled after the disaster. The bombing was devastating, however, it led to a change in America. The next day, December 8, 1941, FDR spoke about the incident and declared war on Japan, officially becoming a part of World War 2. During his speech, he said,

In the morning hours of December 7, 1941 the Japanese attacked the Hawaiian islands at Pearl Harbor. The Japanese had been feeling the pressures of World War II (WWII) as did many others. With the resources of the Japanese dwindling, the Japanese decided to attack the U.S. while

On December 7th 1941 Japanese forces launched a sneak attack on a U.S. naval base. Hundreds were killed and of the 8 ships on station only 3 were not destroyed and even those were badly damaged(Naval History And Heritage Command). This attack was not only bad for America's military, but her people as well. This raid was a defining moment in history, it had a profound affect on America and her people. Causing abruptly, the joining of america in the second world war.

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval plus the air forces of the Empire of Japan.” The bombing of Pearl Harbor was the start of America’s entrance into the Second World War. Just before 08:00 on the Sunday morning, hundreds of fighter planes descended onto the naval base incapacitating almost 20 naval vessels along with over 300 airplanes. The attack on Pearl Harbor also killed over 2,400 Americans

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.

“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy . . .” These famous lines were spoken the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave this speech to the U.S. Congress on December 8, 1941. Many criticized the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but the decision to attack America was wisely made. The Americans were going to enter the war sooner or later, and on the allies’ side. The attack on Pearl Harbor would hurt the United States’ strongest defense and kill many Americans. This was the first terrorist attack on the United States, by another country, which came as a total shock to many people.

Not only did the United States freeze all Japanese assets under U.S. control but it halted all sales of oil to Japan as well. The United States tried to resolve the issues with Japan over these differences, but a resolution could not be reached and war was inevitable (Borg). Why didn’t the U.S. suspect Pearl Harbor of being the place of attack? Since the United States halted all exports to Japan, Japan declared war on the United States. Due to the lack of information, lack of technology, and talks of peace by Japan, the United States had no idea where Japan was going to hit.

Most people think of the attacks on September 11th as the only attack on the United States, but they would be forgetting the attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack on Pearl Harbor was orchestrated by Japan in 1941 towards the end of World War II(WWII). This was a surprise attack that occurred off a naval base in Oahu. The United United States had been trying to negotiate with Japan for some time, but nothing ever prospered. Japan and the United States played an important part in the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States’ entry into World War II through the people’s reactions, Japan’s power, the damage done to the United States, and Japan causing the entry to World War II.

The United States along with our allies Britain and Dutch, provoked the Japanese to attack. In 1937 Japan declared war on China which aggravated the US. The US and its Allies formed a plan and cut off the oil supply for the Japanese military. No oil, meant no fuel for the war. By the US making the strategic plan to cut of the oil supply, left the Japanese finding oil elsewhere. So, they planned to invade into the Philippines and the Malaya territories. By moving into these locations with the hopes of finding a steady source of natural resources such as oil and rubber. In order to do so, the Japanese empire had to cripple the US military base that was 5,276 miles way. After months of planning, the Japanese Empire put their attack in motion. After many different red flag scenarios, the Japanese Bombers still managed to get the upper hand on us. With all of the red flags that’s presented hours, days, weeks before the attack why was the Pacific not

On December 7, 1941 -- the day that will always be commemorated as “the date which will live in infamy” by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt -- the Japanese unexpectedly attacked the United States’ naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This crippling attack caused many American casualties, and American citizens quickly became filled with fury and abhorrence; the detestation that swallowed the hearts of the American citizens was shown through President Roosevelt’s expeditious appeal to Congress to declare war against Japan. The attack on Pearl Harbor was an unforgettable day in history and directly affected the United States involvement in World War Two and the patriotism of the United States’ citizens.

On December 7 1941, The Japanese attacked a naval base on Pearl Harbor. The destroyed about twenty naval ships and nearly 2,400 Americans died. (History.com staff, 2009). It was a Japanese Victory. This surprise attack led the United States to enter the war. (Historyonthenet staff 2000).Americans viewed Japanese as threats.

The first attack against the U.S. done by the Japanese was the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor just before 8 a.m., it was devastating. The Japanese fighter planes destroyed around 20 naval ships and eight of them were some of the United State’s biggest battleships. The Japanese didn’t just destroy vessels, they also managed to destroy around 300 airplanes. The amount of American soldier’s lives lost was heart-rending, there were over 2,000 Soldiers and Sailors lost from the American fleet. There were also more than 1,000 wounded or critically injured on that horrifying day. The day of the Pearl Harbor attacks became known as “a date which will live in infamy”, and this day was only the beginning. This was only the midpoint of Japan’s attacks, the second half was the Bataan Death March.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor started around 8:00 a.m. Hundreds of Japanese fighter jets attack the American Navel Base. The surprise attack lasted only two hours, but it was devastating. The Japanese where able to destroy 20 American Navel Vessels, and almost 200 airplanes and fighter jets. More than 2,000 soldiers and sailors were killed, and about 1,000 others were wounded in the attack. (Pearl Harbor)

When the attack on Pearl Harbor was over, many people died or they suffered critical injuries. Moreover,the attack was a complete surprise to the citizens that live in Fort Island. According to,(www.history.com) the attack took around 10 minutes. Also,”the total number of military personnel killed was 2,335”(visitpearlharbor.org). There was also, “2,008 navy personnel, 109 marines, and 218 army”(visitpearlharbor.org). Additionally, there was “68 civilians” that died with most of them were from the USS Arizona by 1,177 people (visitpearlharbor.org). Not to mention,the amount of people who were injured “came in 1,143” (visitpearlharbor.org). In addition,the “Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor crippled or destroyed nearly 20 American ships” (www.history.com).