Pearl Harbor Research Paper
Flor Andalon
Mr. Zlaket
World History
24 April 2014 Pearl Harbor On the Dawn of December 7, 194l, American sailors awoke to the loud racket of explosives. The Japanese had dropped bombs on the American naval base! The U.S. had been aware of Japanese threats however, they were not mindful of when or where it would befall. Within the two hours of the attacks, the Japanese had managed to sink or damage 19 American Ships and kill more than 2,300 Americans. “A date that will live in infamy” (Roosevelt), the attacks on Pearl Harbor can be considered a great turning point in American history. The horrible act committed by the Japanese was enough so that the U.S. would get involved in World War 11 ending their policy of isolationism. As many would argue the conflict was the awakening of a “Sleeping Giant” and or “Sleeping Dragon” (PBS). Japan announces war on the U.S. hoping to benefit their country. The conflict between those two countries caused Japan’s allies, Germany and Italy, to declare war on the U.S. Most Americans were not in favor of the United Started entering the war at all. Between 1935 and 1937, Congress had passed a series of Neutrality Acts, which made it illegal to sell weapons or loan money to other nations that were involved in the war. Franklin Roosevelt, the president at the time, knew that if the Axis powers where to fall the U.S. would be forced in the war. In 1939, Roosevelt enquired Congress to let the Allies buy American weapons, however the Allies would have to pay cash and carry the merchandise on their own ships. Having no records of selling goods to other nations involved in the war would prevent the United States’ participation in the warfare. Through the Lend-Lease Act passed in 1941, Roosevelt was able to loan or sell goods to any country vital to the United States. A few months later, British ships carrying American supplies became a target for Rudolf Hitler,
Mr. Zlaket
World History
24 April 2014 Pearl Harbor On the Dawn of December 7, 194l, American sailors awoke to the loud racket of explosives. The Japanese had dropped bombs on the American naval base! The U.S. had been aware of Japanese threats however, they were not mindful of when or where it would befall. Within the two hours of the attacks, the Japanese had managed to sink or damage 19 American Ships and kill more than 2,300 Americans. “A date that will live in infamy” (Roosevelt), the attacks on Pearl Harbor can be considered a great turning point in American history. The horrible act committed by the Japanese was enough so that the U.S. would get involved in World War 11 ending their policy of isolationism. As many would argue the conflict was the awakening of a “Sleeping Giant” and or “Sleeping Dragon” (PBS). Japan announces war on the U.S. hoping to benefit their country. The conflict between those two countries caused Japan’s allies, Germany and Italy, to declare war on the U.S. Most Americans were not in favor of the United Started entering the war at all. Between 1935 and 1937, Congress had passed a series of Neutrality Acts, which made it illegal to sell weapons or loan money to other nations that were involved in the war. Franklin Roosevelt, the president at the time, knew that if the Axis powers where to fall the U.S. would be forced in the war. In 1939, Roosevelt enquired Congress to let the Allies buy American weapons, however the Allies would have to pay cash and carry the merchandise on their own ships. Having no records of selling goods to other nations involved in the war would prevent the United States’ participation in the warfare. Through the Lend-Lease Act passed in 1941, Roosevelt was able to loan or sell goods to any country vital to the United States. A few months later, British ships carrying American supplies became a target for Rudolf Hitler,