How Did Pearl Harbor Affect America

Pearl Harbor, named because of the abundance of pearls once found within its protected waters, is the largest natural harbor in the State of Hawaii and the number one visitor destination on Oahu. This harbor was mostly known for its beauty. Today is greatly known for the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor in the 1094’s. This attack hurt America great, but also made America a lot stronger. This attack shaped America into the great country I live in today.
On the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, a strange plane flew over the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor, dropping bombs on eight of the American battleships. These strange planes were Japanese bombers that destroyed 180 American warplanes, 2,400 American servicemen and civilians, and wounded
nearly 1,200 more. This destruction lasted less than 2 hours. The next day December 8th, President Roosevelt delivered his war message to congress: “Yesterday, December 7, 1941- a date which will live in infamy- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” (America: A Narrative History) Little did Roosevelt know, that this message begun up a global war that he hoped to stay out of. This attack was a surprise to everyone. This attack was because of the need for expansion. It started back from four decades of wanting more. As Japan industrialized during the late 19th century, it sought to imitate Western countries such as the United States, which had established colonies in Asia and the Pacific to secure natural resources and markets for their goods. Japan’s process of imperial expansion, however, put it on a collision course with the United States, particularly in relation to China (“The Path to Pearl Harbor”). Once America declared war on Japan, the allies of Japan, Germany and Italy, declared war on America, December the 11th. Now that America knew that the attacks on Pearl Harbor where associated with Germany, Americans started preparing for World War 2. Hitler called America the “half Judaized and the other half Negrified”. He also believed that with America hurting with this recent attack this war “was impossible for us to lose”, but Roosevelt reassured America that “we are going to win, and we are going to win the peace that follows.” With this preparation every male, 18 or older, was drafted to war. America was hurting from the loss at Pearl Harbor, but they were ready to get payback on Japan. Little did Japan know, by a stroke of luck, the three American aircraft carriers stationed at Pearl Harbor were not there on the morning of the attack (“Attack on Pearl Harbor - 1941”). This leaving us plenty of military power to go into war. On December 18, 1941 congress passed the War Powers Act, giving the President far- reaching authority to reorganize government agencies and create new ones, regulate business and industry, and even sensor mail and other forms if communications.
America got serious about this war and began getting ready. Every male 18 or older was made to sign up for the draft. This gave our military high numbers to go into war with. Before the attacks on Pearl Harbor, America was going through the Great Depression. With the start of World War 2, America found a way to get out of this depression by the Lend-Lease Act. This act was based on lending and leasing out military equipment, and staying neutral throughout the war, until the attacks on Pearl
Harbor. America headed into war full force. Little did Japan know, the United States were making a new weapon and with this attack on Pearl Harbor, this gave them the perfect chance to use their new weapon. The attacks on Pearl Harbor fueled the nuclear arms. This new weapon was the atomic bomb. This bomb was made to wipe out anything in its path, and it did its job. On August 6, 1945 the United States dropped two atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, wiping out 90 percent of the city, killing over 80,000 people. This was the first atomic bomb to ever be released in the world. Just like Japan surprise attacking the United States, the United States Surprised attacked Japan. Japan had no idea what was coming for them. Today those two Japanese’s cities are still hurting from the atomic bomb explosion and the radiation which repeals out of the bomb. After these attacks made by the United States, Japan’s Emperor Hirohito announced his countries surrender in World War 2 on August 15.
U.S. General Douglas MacArthur took charge of the occupation of Japan. Hirohito met with MacArthur, accepted responsibility for Japan’s entry into World War II, and offered to abdicate. Feeling that Hirohito was the only individual who could keep the occupation peaceful, MacArthur refused his offer. Hirohito became the only major Axis leader to keep his prewar position (go.galegroup.com). Also following Japan’s surrender, Germany followed as well. World War 2 ended by the surrender of the Axis powers, Germany, Japan, Italy. With the ending of this cold war, the nations agreed to keep the peace throughout the
nations.
Today, Pearl Harbor remains an active military base, Headquarters of the Pacific Fleet, and a National Historic Landmark that's home to four unique attractions: from the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that started it all, to the surrender of the Japanese on the deck of the mighty Battleship Missouri, these four historic sites together tell the story of the War in the Pacific, commemorating the accomplishments of a previous generation (About Pearl Harbor). Like Roosevelt said on December 8th of 1941, that day will forever be infamy. We honor those brave men and women that lost their lives and went to fight to defend their country.