Informative Paper

It was a new day. Air was fresh, scenery was beautiful, and all the armed forces stationed at the Pearl Harbor base in Hawaii were ready for just another day at work. Optimism was spread around as everyone was waking up, ready to serve their country to the best of their ability. Little did they know that they were about to be involved with one of the most historic days in United States History. Pearl Harbor was one of the greatest tragedies to hit America. This act put on by the Japanese pushed America over the edge, which resulted in them finally entering the battlefield of World War ll. As people would say this was the great awakening of the “Sleeping Giant.”

When the Japanese decided to attack on Pearl Harbor, World War ll had already been well underway. Two year of battles between Germany, Japan, Italy and several other countries had impacted many lives, however the United States worked hard to make sure they were not involved whatsoever. December 7, 1941 will forever be one of the most significant dates in not only American but world history. This played a big role in shaping the rest of the war and made a great impact on the American society, even to this day.

The Japanese history played a great role in the decision to initially get involved with the war, and ultimately attack on America in Pearl Harbor. Throughout the 20’s Japan struggled due

to industrial overcapacity and the competition growing stronger in Asia. On top of that they were struggling with providing enough foreign food for their constantly growing economy and they were quickly coming to the point that all they wanted was economic growth and to be on top again. Japan was soon left with nothing, forced to gather food from China, but still had the drive to get themselves back on track to supremacy. The first step they took towards taking control was to invade the town of Manchuria. Because of the condemning from the League of Nations, Japan decided to withdrawal from the league. They left this with much confidence, after trumping Manchuria, they felt almost ready to triumph over China. As large areas were being taken over, President Roosevelt of the United States began to fear and attack coming to their territory quite soon.

                  Being the responsible man he was known to be, President Roosevelt began to prepare his troops at the first sense of war. His first decision towards making this happen was raising the United States forces funds by almost five hundred million dollars, as he felt threatened by not only Japan but also Germany.

                  In result to the threats of attack between the two countries, their relationships grew farther and farther apart. Because Japan was needing assurance, they decided to join the Tripartite Pact which included Germany and Italy. This agreement gave comfort to the leaders of Japan to proceed with it’s plans to attack the United States until they pushed themselves out with their attack on the French Indochina. This played as an advantage for the United States as they decided to call a total trade embargo, cutting off everything including oil. In result of this, Japan’s industries plummeted seeing that 80% percent of its oil came from the United States. 

In Japan’s eyes, this was the event that made them realize the war- and even more the attack against the United States was completely necessary. Yamamoto began to plan “Operation Hawaii” in January of 1941. The Japanese rulers firmly believed that this was the easiest way to tap into the oil rich countries of the Netherlands and breaking the trade embargo. They soon realized that this attack on the United States would not be as easy as they had hoped for, but most definitely possible. The Japanese were typically much smaller, but had a great advantage over the big, strong, and powerful United States armed forces. This advantage included the United States having their ships spread out through the entire Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Things started to work out in Japan’s favor when in the spring of 1941, the German U-boat crisis ordered the United States to send a quarter of its fleet over to the Pacific Ocean. This was Japan’s opportunity to come in and make their mark.

                  After a great amount of strategic routing, planning, and outlines the Japanese officers felt like they were ready. The actual attack began at 7:48 Hawaiian time. The base of Pearl Harbor was attacked by approximately 353 Japanese fighter planes, several types of bombs, and two torpedo planes that were launched from six aircraft carriers. The Japanese were successful in damaging all eight Navy battleships, and sinking four. However, this was not the only damage during this attack. Three cruisers, three destroyers, a minelayer, and an anti- aircraft training ship sunk during this tragedy. Along with this, 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed, 1,178 Americans were wounded with 2,403 being killed. While many may think that this attack also affected Japan greatly, the damage made on their part didn’t even compare to the damage made on the United States. Japan lost 64 men and 24 aircraft carriers.

With many lives gone and a beautiful harbor destroyed, December 7, 1941 can definitely be considered as President Roosevelt stated, “a date which will live in infamy.” The extremely terrible conduct and character shown by the Japanese armed forces forced the Americans to declare War on Japan, and initially enter the dreaded battlefield of World War ll. Soon after in result of some preceding acts tying back to the Pearl Harbor attack, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. causing some of the most traumatic events to take place during this time period.

This tragic event caused a great amount of stress and trouble in the moment, and it still effects American society to this day. The attack at Pearl Harbor created a very tense society and was an eye opening to the military strategies that were becoming popular throughout the world. The attitudes about war changed that day, and stayed to be true until now. Giving to the war became very important and would trump over other obligations. From that point on, war was no longer just a part of culture. The war was to be considered the actual culture. Many things today solely revolve around war efforts, as they did in 1941 at the time of the attack.

Not only did the Pearl Harbor attack effect, and still effects the lives of everyday American citizens, it played a huge role in shaping the war and lives of people in countries throughout the entire world.  The death knell of colonialism in Asia and the entrance of many independent countries arose. The re-emergence of China as a pre-eminent power came about through the occupation of many Japanese troops. Japan brought on the idea of peace and democracy after seeing the principle of militarism displayed by the United States armed forces throughout the war. Segregation in many different armed forces were cut, and the diversity of

women and men working together to protect their country was enforced. These are good examples on how the attack on Pearl Harbor really impacted and changed the lives and ways of many, even if they didn’t live in the United States.  

In today’s society it may be easy to forget the tragic attack of Pearl Harbor that led the United States into World War ll, among all the other commodities of today’s society. However, if you take a look around, the affects and results of that war are everywhere in American’s daily lives. Pearl Harbor was the determining factor which led the U.S. into World War ll- one of the bloodiest wars in history. This event made an effect on every citizen’s daily lives, was one of the greatest tragedies in the United States history, and will remain in every American’s heart forever.