The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

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

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

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.

“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.

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 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

In September of 1939 began the most devastating war in history, World War II. It would have the largest death count and destroy the economies of all the nations involved in the war. At the start of the war the United States of America had declared neutrality. That was until the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in December 1941, that very next day Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his famous “Day of Infamy” Speech to Congress. Roosevelt’s speech sent out such a huge message to the people of the United States, it was inspirational to them and was very effective to congress, not to mention that the war played a big part in the U.S. becoming a major world power.

“December 7th, 1941 ¬¬ a date which will live in infamy” (Roosevelt 1). A day where hearts were broken, lives taken, massive destruction, and a man who reassured Americans through it all. Japanese air forces deliberately attacked the United States Territory of Hawaii (History.com Staff 1). This left Americans devastated. We lost many heroes on this day in history. After the attack, the betrayal of Japan angered many Americans, at this time America and Japan were at peace. America wanted to take action, this meant attacking Japan. Who was going to take care of the country after the events of this day? The President at the time Franklin Roosevelt, he was the man who reassured all Americans. He was not just a president, he was the United States caretaker. He not only wanted to declare war on Japan but he helped American people grieve. His love for his country was shown in this time of terror. He was not defeated by this historical event, his country was not defeated either.

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

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Empire bombarded the US military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in a surprise attack. This ambush reminded the U.S. that they could no longer be spectators of the war and engaged them into direct conflict during World War II. On the day after the attack, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke before a joint session of the Congress, requesting for a declaration of war against Japan. Throughout his infamous speech, he utilised diction, literary devices, and his simple organization of text to urge the Congress to formally declare war on Japan and rally the American population to support the war effort, thus establishing a sense of urgency and strengthening the nation in the face of grave danger.

December 7, 1941 the day that will forever live is history. On Sunday, December 7, 1941 at 7:55 a.m. the Japanese attacked the United States without warning. The attack lasted 110 minutes. The Japanese launched their airplanes in two waves. The first wave struck Pearl Harbor at 7:55 a.m. The second wave reached Pearl Harbor around 8:40 a.m. It was a devastating attack for the United States, nearly 20 naval vessels were destroyed, 300 airplanes, 2,335 U.S. servicemen were killed, and 1,143 were wounded. Up until that the attach America had stayed out of the war but the attack on Pearl Harbor awoke the “Sleeping Giant” The following day President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan.

Then, on December 7, 1941, Japanese carrier-based airplanes surprisingly struck Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and sprung the United States into the war. In a raid lasting less than two hours, they sank or seriously damaged eight battleships and thirteen other naval vessels. This surprise attack also destroyed a large portion of the American warplanes stationed on the airfield and took the lives of thousands. No discretion was apparent on this morning as both military and civilian personnel unexpectedly faced a barrage of Japanese fighter planes raining fire down among the ships in the harbor and among the surrounding fields. All in all, nearly 2,400 American lives were lost on this day in which President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared, “a date that will live in infamy”. The Japanese hoped to cripple the American fleet in which they perceived as the principle threat to victory in a war against the United States.

During WWII, an event happened that will forever stand with America today. This is the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On December 7th of 1941, Japanese sent planes at two different times to Pearl Harbor. Bombed were the battleships, cruisers and destroyers, and the military airfields near the shore (Parrish 2017). This tragedy led to 2,930 people dead and 1,178 injured and wounded (Parrish 2017). Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor led to president Roosevelt’s declaration of war against Japan, leading to the secured involvement of the United States’s involvement in WWII. Little did Japanese-Americans know, war on Japan also meant war on them.

December 7, 1941 was a significant day in United States’ history. The attack on Pearl Harbor was an act of war meant to destroy the Pacific Fleet, sinking the USS Arizona and the other ships in the harbor was the goal of the Japanese. The huge number of casualties suffered when the USS Arizona sank (almost half of the total attack) was such a blow to the American public that it became the image that would help support the war effort and push the United States into World War II. The sinking of the USS Arizona was a plan and victory for the Japanese while it played a significant part in shaping American’s reactions and actions to the attack on Pearl Harbor.