Pearl Harbor Research Paper

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,

On December 7th, 1941, Japanese fighter planes staged an attack on U.S naval and military forces based in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. In around just two hours, America suffered from approximately 3,435 casualties including 2,000 deaths. The shattering defeat cost the U.S, 8 battle ships and around 200 airplanes. The following day, President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. This was approved, and more than two years into the conflict, America had eventually fully committed to the war.

“The Japanese plan was simple: Destroy the Pacific Fleet. That way, the Americans would not be able to fight back as Japan’s armed forces spread across the South Pacific. On December 7, after months of planning and practice, the Japanese launched their attack. In all, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor crippled or destroyed nearly 20 American ships and more than 300 airplanes. Dry docks and airfields were likewise destroyed. Most important, almost 2,500 men were killed and another 1,000 were wounded. On December 8, Congress approved Roosevelt’s declaration of war. Three days later, Japanese allies Germany and Italy declared war against the United States. For the second time, Congress reciprocated. More than two years after the start of the conflict, the United States had entered World War II” (History.com).

“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.

Pearl Harbor is the name given to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by the Japanese against the Americans on December 7th, 1941. Although there was growing tension between the United States and Japan dew to sanctions and frozen assets put on Japan, the attack was still a surprise for the world. 2400 Americans were killed in the attack, along with many ships and nearly two-hundred airplanes.1 The attack united the American people and under Franklin Roosevelt 's leadership, America declared war on Japan, with a unanimous vote in the senate and 388 to 1 vote in the house, with the lone dissenter being an avid pacifist. Soon after, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States and the United States declared war on the Axis powers in turn. America had finally joined the Second World War. When Roosevelt gave his speech that war was being declared, most of the country was behind him. There were fears that

December 7, 1941, was one of the worst attacks on the United States in U.S. history. Of that day 2,403 soldiers were killed in action, 1,178 were wounded in action. Numerous U.S. armed forces personnel were misjudged, which allowed the Japanese to carry out this terrible attack. Not only did the Japanese hit the U.S. where they knew it would hurt the most, but it crippled the United States’ entire Pacific Fleet.

The day after bombing, Congress approved Roosevelt’s declaration to start the war with Japan. After that Italy and Germany declared war on the United States. Couple months after the tragical event at Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order for all Japanese Americans to evacuate West Coast in order to provide “national security”. It cause relocation of nearly 120,000 people, more than a half of whom were American citizens. They were relocated to internment camps. Japanese aliens were called “enemy aliens”.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt received approval from Congress to get involved in World War Two. The United States was already close to joining the war, but in an attempt to preserve its stance of isolation and neutrality, it had only committed to sending war supplies to Allied forces. Just hours after Invasion, Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan (Samantha). America’s involvement before the attack was limited, but when the Japanese planes released those deadly bombs upon the base in Hawaii, they unleashed an unwanted beast, loathing and ravenous for revenge. On December 8, President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war against Japan. The declaration passed with just one dissenting vote (“America”). Mostly every citizen of the United States felt that retaliation was needed, so

From 1941 to the end of World War II, the United States had many things to focus on. “President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941” . The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor President Roosevelt declared war on Japan. After the attack, repairs in Hawaii were being made. The soldiers that survived the attack of Pearl

During the early stages of WW2 Japan withdrew from the League of Nations and invaded China killing over 100,000 civilians. Do to Japans actions, the American government slowly began to cut them off from their assets and sent them a warning letter saying America wasn’t going to turn the other cheek if these actions were kept up. Japan decided to make no efforts in changing their military strategy so we fully cut Japan off from American supplies in 1941. Now its hard to say whether or not America made the correct decision when cutting off Japan during WW2, it created a lot of tension and anger towards America from the Japanese. Japan began to plan a surprise attack on one the U.S. Naval bases in Hawaii called Pearl Harbor. The attack occurred on a Sunday morning December 7, 1941. America lost 2,000 citizens and soldiers that day. The next day Franklin D. Roosevelt (America’s president at the time) announced Americas entry into WW2. I believe that if America had never cut Japan off from their assets then the anger and hostility would not have been there creating a reason for Japan to attack America and without the attack on Pearl Harbor, America would have no reason to enter the war during the year 1941.

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.

The event that brought forth the Idea to attack japan and destroy the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was Pearl Harbor. Japan had a history of executing surprise attacks before declaring war; one main example is when japan invaded Port Arthur in the Russo- Japanese war which would prove to be very successful . Many books were written prior to 1941 predicting an invasion of the Hawaiian Islands to gain access to the United States mainland including ‘The conflict of nations’, and ‘The valor of ignorance’ . The United States saw the military base on Hawaii as a point of power in the pacific and a last defense of their home land. Japan saw Hawaii as at point of expansion and an easy way for the United States to launch an attack on them. Attacking Pearl Harbor was not the original plan for japan. Japan wanted to bring the United States to them, but Japanese commander- in –Chief Isoroku Yamomoto pushed for an attack on the United States .pearl harbor was the home to the United States naval fleet and many fuel reserves. One of the main objects of japan was to destroy aircraft carriers and sink battle ships to put the United States fleet out of action and to discourage the people of the United States to not join the World War. The Japanese army spent over a year planning the attack and training pilots. The Japanese even created special torpedoes to operate in pear harbors shallow waters .

On December 7th, 1941, Japan bombed the United States Army, Air Force, and Naval Bases, in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. The next day on December 8th, 1941, the U.S. entered World War II declaring war on Japan as they provoked us to do so with their sneaky aerial attack. Behind the scenes of the extensive fighting, American

attacked the US. This shows that the proper chance to avoid war with Japan was given, and that