Why Did The United States Enter World War II?

“Pearl Harbor was a catalyst for the United States entering World War II”. On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, was attacked. Japanese soldiers fired at battleships and aircrafts, killing over 2,000 Americans. Franklin Roosevelt issued a meeting with Congress to discuss declaring war on Japan. On December 7, 1941, Roosevelt said, “A date which live in infamy”. By declaring war, the United States would no longer be an isolationist nation, changing the economy greatly. Franklin Roosevelt's speech prompted the United States to enter World War II. The attack on Pearl Harbor is an ongoing debate on whether the United States was the true victim or if they forced Japan’s attack. Based on the relations between Japan and the US, pre-meditated attacks planned, and results of not
The view that Pearl Harbor was the cause of the United States entering the war can be illustrated based on relations with Japan, Franklin Roosevelt’s speech that acted as a last resort in attempt to protect the United States, and the unforeseen attack on the island of Oahu. Japan and the United States had an ongoing tension which is why Pearl Harbor, today from a historian's point of view does not seem like the attack was a complete shock. However, during 1941, the United States was not prepared for Japan’s attack. The United States cut off Japan’s intake of supplies from the US causing a dip in Japan’s economy. Japan had no other relations with other countries in order to trade resources, putting Japan in a desperate position.This proves that Japan was concerned about the effect of no trade with the US would have on them, thus giving a reason for attack. The back and forth debate over natural supplies continued but the United States were adamant on their decision. The decision to ignore trade with Japan forced the attack on Pearl Harbor. Japan’s original goal was to invade South-east Asia however, the US would not allow that to