Synopsis
On December 7, 1941, numerous Japanese fighter planes attacked the U.S. naval base in Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. The Japanese managed to destroy nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight enormous battleships, and more than 300 airplanes. More than 2,000 Americans soldiers and sailors died in the attack, and another 1,000 were wounded. The day after this horrendous attack on U.S. soil, President Roosevelt was approved by Congress for declaring war on Japan. Eventually the other Axis powers, Germany and Italy, declared war on the United States and the country was fully submerged in World War II.
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Background & Causes
The United States had noticed Japan's hostility towards China, especially with the Japanese invasion and occupation of Manchuria in September of 1931 (lasted until the end of World War II). America responded with numerous economic sanctions and embargos against the Japanese. These restrictions would prevent Japan from expanding further because they would be barred from essential supplied such as oil and other goods. This forced the Japanese authorities to stand more determined and they would not budge. Inevitably, this conflict would lead to war.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise to the American government even though they had broken the Japanese communication code. But no one believed that the Japanese would start that war with an attack on American territory. The 4,000 miles between the Japan and Hawaii, added to the confidence that the U.S. held and all intelligence officers at the time believed that any clash would take place in European colonies, never on U.S. soil. However, the relatively undefended bases were a perfect target for the Japanese if they wanted to instigate American authorities. This attack would rally American citizens behind the proposition of joining the World War. Just a day after the attack, President Roosevelt appealed to Congress to declare war on Japan. This would eventually instill America in the World War by 1941. |
Impact & Effects
Not only did this attack introduce America to the horrors of the second World War, but it also astonished America by attacking important facilities and injuring numerous soldiers. At around 8 A.M. on December 7, 1941, a 1,800-pound bomb smashed through the deck of the battleship USS Arizona and landed in her forward ammunition magazine. The ship exploded and eventually sank with over 1,000 men trapped inside. Over 9 total naval battleships were extremely damaged and required repair (USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS California, USS West Virginia, USS Utah, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee and USS Nevada). Japanese fighters 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. This attack left a lasting impact on how Americans viewed the Japanese people. The Japanese were seen as demons and other evil consumed figures because of their actions in Pearl Harbor, this would also lead to the internment of over 120,000 Japanese-Americans residing in the United States.
Overall, the Japanese aerial attack on the naval base in Pearl Harbor pulled America into the second world war while leading a surprise attack which injured numerous unwarned soldiers and destroying multiple ships, but improving the American morale and support for the participation in the war.
Overall, the Japanese aerial attack on the naval base in Pearl Harbor pulled America into the second world war while leading a surprise attack which injured numerous unwarned soldiers and destroying multiple ships, but improving the American morale and support for the participation in the war.