Why Pearl Harbor Attacked The Sleeping Giant

“A day which will live in infamy.” This quote was delivered by President Roosevelt after the attack that devastated the country. December 7th, 1941, the US Naval base called Pearl Harbor, was bombed by the Japanese. This attack had “awakened the sleeping giant” known as the United States. Pearl Harbor was a large turning point in WWI because it brought the US into war. Japan began to prepare for the attack. Japan was taking over countries, and the US didn’t like their growing power. The US sanctioned Japan and stopped selling them oil, but it just angered them further. Japan sent about 6 loaded aircraft carriers overseas to Pearl Harbor. The names of the 6 were: Akagi, Hiryu, Kaga, Soryu, Shokaku, and Zuikaku (Pierce 27). Each Japanese
Since Pearl Harbor was a popular naval base, it was packed tight with weaponry. Japanese destroyed 20 American naval vessels, eight enormous battle ships, and almost 200 airplanes (History.com Staff 1). The Pearl Harbor attack “awakens the Sleeping Giant” known as the US (History.com Staff 8). The US did not want to enter the war, but they couldn’t ignore the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Because of the surprise attack, the US had a huge debate whether they should or shouldn’t enter World War I. Congress declares war on Japan Decemeber 8th, 1941 (World Book Online 6). After the attack, President Roosevelt made a passionate speech in which the famous quote, “a day which will live in infamy” came from (World Book Online
A few days before the attack, the USS Arizona reloaded on fuel – a total of 1.5 million gallons (Maranzani 6). Fuel continues to leak from the wreckage today, a pool of black oil surrounding the ship (Maranzani 6). All of the damaged ships from the bombing were eventually repaired. Well, all except for the USS Arizona, and the USS Utah (History.com Staff 5). Some soldiers, who lost their lives in Pearl Harbor, received Navy ships named in their honor. Bennion, Flaherty, Frederick, Herbert, Hill, Kidd, Reeves, Scott, Tomich, and Van Valkenburg were all the ships named for them (Pierce 44). So many families lost loved ones that day, and for that, we will never forget the day of