Why War?
This video is a voice recording of United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt as he addresses the nation on December 8, 1941. This was one day after the Empire of Japan sent bombers to destroy the United States Pacific Fleet in Hawaii. He calls the attack on Hawaii sudden and deliberate and that the United States is now at a state of war with Japan.
The History Channel, (n.d.). The Attack on Pearl Harbor [Web]. Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECd_OfwjNvM
The History Channel, (n.d.). The Attack on Pearl Harbor [Web]. Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECd_OfwjNvM
The United States formally entered into World War 11 on December 8, 1941, when they declared war against the Empire of Japan. This was due to the direct and deliberate bombing and massacre of the Pacific Naval Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On Sunday, December 7, 1941 just before eight in the morning, Hawaii Time, a Japanese bomber appeared out of the clouds above the island of Oahu. (Eyewitness History, 2003) An enormous swarm of Japanese planes followed and descended upon the United States Naval Base in Pearl Harbor. At the same time in the nation’s capital, diplomatic negotiations were being discussed between Japanese and American diplomats. (The Picture History, 1946) These negotiations were one of many that had been going on between the United States and Japan. It seemed as if they were breaking down, and the thought of a Japanese attack was probable, but nothing had been done to tighten security in Pearl Harbor. Back in Pearl Harbor, about an hour before the attacks began, two radar personal spotted a massive group of planes in flight toward the island on radar, but thought nothing of it, because B-17 planes were expected to arrive from the United States at the time. (“The Pacific Theater,” 2010) The men were told to sound no alarm, since this was a routine landing they were expecting. When the Japanese bomber planes finally reached Pearl Harbor it was pure chaos. They took the base by complete and utter shock. Most of the men were on leave and not stationed on their ship or at base. This was a Sunday, which is observed by many Americans as a holy day or rest and relaxation. The Japanese knew that the forces in Hawaii would be stunned and not prepared. They picked the day to attack that would best benefit them. Most of the people thought this was a planned drill until they saw the red circle of the rising sun of the wing of the planes. This day marked complete and utter devastation for the Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor. Much of the fleet was rendered completely useless. The attack happened so quickly and was so violent that there was no time to fight back or defend itself from destruction. There was a total of 2,400 Americans killed and 1,200 were wounded that horrible day. (World war 2, 2011) More than 200 aircraft were destroyed that day as well as five battleships and three destroyers. The USS Arizona still lies at the bottom of Pearl Harbor’s clear waters. It is now a memorial site dedicated to all World War 11 veterans. (NPS, 2010)
Before the United States officially entered into the war, they were already providing assistance and money to fund the allied nations effort, but chose to stay out of the war officially, because it was seen as a “European War” and would be costly both financially and physically to put effort into something that was “not our war” yet. This all changed on that infamous Sunday when Pearl Harbor was hit by the Japanese. Many theories behind this say Japan was still harboring grudges against the United States from ten years before, when they were forced to stop the invasion of China, or the United States would cut off trading relations with the empire. At that particular time, Japan had invaded Manchuria, China in 1931. (The picture history, 1946) They were suffering from a depression so the Japanese found it rather easy to take control of parts of China. This in turn, was a direct violation of the Kellog- Briand Pact signed in 1928. This pact prohibited the use of war for a countries’ personal gain and a country could only declare war in a matter of self-defense. (Hall, 1991) During this time, the United States was still friendly with China, who was not communist at the time. The United States threatened to cut all ties with Japan and the oil trade if they did not back out of China. This was of course a major setback and some what of a defeat to Japan. Others believe this was a deliberate attack on the United States, because Japan felt threatened by the United States Navy, which was conveniently positioned halfway between the United States and Japan, in Pearl Harbor. (Mayer, 1976) This had a great deal to do with the attack, because the United States and its allies were seen as a threat to Japan’s desire to seize control of the entire portion of Asia and the Pacific. Another theory that has been up to speculation over the years is the possibility that United States President, Franklin D. Roosevelt and his informants knew partly of the attack planned for Pearl Harbor. (“The pacific theater,” 2010) This is a major conspiracy theory that has been here-say over the years. It is said that FDR used this as a way of officially entering into World War 11. This is by far the most radical theory of the United States entry into the war and holds little to no factual information.
Just three days after the United States declared war on the Empire of Japan, Germany declared war against the United States. This lead the United States full on into World War 11. This was the defining moment that the European and South East Asian wars had become a world war. With most nations involved, by either lending man power or materials and support. This Global conflict made countries of the world choose sides and square off against each other in a battle of superpowers. The Allied Powers fought for the freedom and liberation of people while the Axis Powers try to gain control over various parts of the world and its people by brute force. The major allied powers in World War 11 were the United States, Great Britain, France, and Soviet Union later on. The Axis Powers were Germany, Japan, and Italy. To this day, World War 11 is still considered to be the deadliest conflict in human history.( Mayer, 1976)
Before the United States officially entered into the war, they were already providing assistance and money to fund the allied nations effort, but chose to stay out of the war officially, because it was seen as a “European War” and would be costly both financially and physically to put effort into something that was “not our war” yet. This all changed on that infamous Sunday when Pearl Harbor was hit by the Japanese. Many theories behind this say Japan was still harboring grudges against the United States from ten years before, when they were forced to stop the invasion of China, or the United States would cut off trading relations with the empire. At that particular time, Japan had invaded Manchuria, China in 1931. (The picture history, 1946) They were suffering from a depression so the Japanese found it rather easy to take control of parts of China. This in turn, was a direct violation of the Kellog- Briand Pact signed in 1928. This pact prohibited the use of war for a countries’ personal gain and a country could only declare war in a matter of self-defense. (Hall, 1991) During this time, the United States was still friendly with China, who was not communist at the time. The United States threatened to cut all ties with Japan and the oil trade if they did not back out of China. This was of course a major setback and some what of a defeat to Japan. Others believe this was a deliberate attack on the United States, because Japan felt threatened by the United States Navy, which was conveniently positioned halfway between the United States and Japan, in Pearl Harbor. (Mayer, 1976) This had a great deal to do with the attack, because the United States and its allies were seen as a threat to Japan’s desire to seize control of the entire portion of Asia and the Pacific. Another theory that has been up to speculation over the years is the possibility that United States President, Franklin D. Roosevelt and his informants knew partly of the attack planned for Pearl Harbor. (“The pacific theater,” 2010) This is a major conspiracy theory that has been here-say over the years. It is said that FDR used this as a way of officially entering into World War 11. This is by far the most radical theory of the United States entry into the war and holds little to no factual information.
Just three days after the United States declared war on the Empire of Japan, Germany declared war against the United States. This lead the United States full on into World War 11. This was the defining moment that the European and South East Asian wars had become a world war. With most nations involved, by either lending man power or materials and support. This Global conflict made countries of the world choose sides and square off against each other in a battle of superpowers. The Allied Powers fought for the freedom and liberation of people while the Axis Powers try to gain control over various parts of the world and its people by brute force. The major allied powers in World War 11 were the United States, Great Britain, France, and Soviet Union later on. The Axis Powers were Germany, Japan, and Italy. To this day, World War 11 is still considered to be the deadliest conflict in human history.( Mayer, 1976)
