Pearl Habor
There had been tension between the United States and Japan years before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The United States disagreed with Japan’s plans to invade China. In U.S.'s attempt to stop Japanese expansion, tension rose from the two countries. The United States did not expect an attack on Pearl Harbor. It was very near home and only 4,000 miles from Japan. The U.S. was unprepared to defend themselves and to the Japanese, Pearl Harbor was a perfect target.
The Japanese planned to destroy the entire Pacific Fleet. On December 7th, 1941 at 8 a.m., Japanese planes dropped bombs and shot bullets all over the American naval base. The attack in Honolulu Hawaii lasted for about 2 hours. A 1,800-pound bomb smashed through the battleship USS Arizona and another ship burst into flames and sank with over 1,000 men who had no way out. 400 sailors when down as the battleship USS Oklahoma was attacked. A total of 8 battleships were destroyed. 18 American ships and around 300 airplanes cease to exist. Of all destruction, a devastating 2,500 men lost their lives and 1,000 others suffered injuries.
The Japanese planned to destroy the entire Pacific Fleet. On December 7th, 1941 at 8 a.m., Japanese planes dropped bombs and shot bullets all over the American naval base. The attack in Honolulu Hawaii lasted for about 2 hours. A 1,800-pound bomb smashed through the battleship USS Arizona and another ship burst into flames and sank with over 1,000 men who had no way out. 400 sailors when down as the battleship USS Oklahoma was attacked. A total of 8 battleships were destroyed. 18 American ships and around 300 airplanes cease to exist. Of all destruction, a devastating 2,500 men lost their lives and 1,000 others suffered injuries.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s response to the attack on Pearl Harbor was as follows, “no matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through the absolute victory”. War was declared on Japan one day after the attack. Three days after the declaration, Japan’s allies “Germany and Italy declared war” against the United States. After two years of being the “Sleeping Giant”, the U.S. had finally joined World War II.
The U.S. could not risk anymore surprise attacks therefore entering the war was its only option. After 10 years of fighting in the war and losing many American souls, the United States ended hostilities with Germany in 1951. World War II “killed more people, cost more money, damaged more property, affected more people, and caused more far-reaching changes in nearly every country than any other war in history”. Because of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. was involved with the deadliest war known to mankind.
The U.S. could not risk anymore surprise attacks therefore entering the war was its only option. After 10 years of fighting in the war and losing many American souls, the United States ended hostilities with Germany in 1951. World War II “killed more people, cost more money, damaged more property, affected more people, and caused more far-reaching changes in nearly every country than any other war in history”. Because of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. was involved with the deadliest war known to mankind.