Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941- “A Date Which Will Live In Infamy”

America’s Isolationism

●  Isolationism - Remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups.

●  Neutrality Acts - Laws designed to keep the U.S. out of future wars. o  Despite the Neutrality Acts,

president Roosevelt found ways to aid the Allies.

America’s Isolationism (cont.) ●  America First Committee - A group

formed by isolationists to block further aid to Britain. o  In response, Congress passed the

Lend-Lease Act. ●  Lend-Lease Act - Law that authorized the

President to aid any nation whose defense he thought was vital to American Security.

●  America, at this time, was the only major country not yet in the war.

U.S. - Japanese Relations ●  July 1940, President FDR limited what

the Japanese could buy from the U.S. o  By September FDR ended the sale of

scrap iron and steel to the Japanese. ●  In 1941, the U.S. froze Japanese

financial assets and cut off oil shipments. o  Japan desperately needed oil and other

raw materials.

The Naval Base Pearl Harbor ●  Located on the Hawaiian

island of Oahu ●  Home of the U.S. Pacific Fleet ●  Ships included:

o  8 battleships o  8 cruisers (2 heavy, 6 light) o  30 destroyers o  4 submarines

Japanese Air Force and Preparation ●  Japanese had 6 aircraft carriers

on the Pacific ready for an attack. o  Akaga, Kaga, Hiryu, Soryu, Zuikaku, and

Shokaku ●  Plan was to send 2 waves of

attack on Pearl Harbor. o  1st wave was 183 fighter, consisting of

bombers and torpedo bombers o  2nd wave was another 170 bomber and

fighter planes

Bombing of Pearl Harbor ●  At 7:53 am on Dec. 7th, 1941,

the Japanese launch a surprise attack the American Naval Base Pearl Harbor.

●  The Japanese planes used bombs and machine gun fire to attack ships, aircraft carriers, and refueling/repair stations.

Bombing of Pearl Harbor (Cont.) ●  The attack ended at 9:45 am. ●  In less than two hours the Japanese

were able to: o  Kill 2,400 American troops o  Wound 1,200 troops o  Destroy/damage 200 American warplanes o  “Sunk” 6 battleships o  Sunk/heavily damaged 12 other warships

Footage of Bombing

Roosevelt’s Response ●  On Dec. 8th, 1941, Roosevelt

addressed the Congress with his “day of infamy” speech, asking Congress to declare war on Japan. o  Within hours Congress passed a war

resolution. o  December 11, Germany and Italy

declared war on U.S.

Roosevelt Addresses Congress

Roosevelt’s Response (Cont.) ●  FDR’s next goal was to get men to

join the army. o  Convinces people to support the war and

join the military through the use of propaganda.

●  The public was, initially, stunned by the attack on Pearl Harbor. o  Soon, Americans became outraged and

there was a rise in American morale.

Pearl Harbor Conspiracy ●  It is thought that President Roosevelt

had prior knowledge of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and allowed the Japanese to attack. o  FDR allowed it because he wanted to go to

war with Japan and Germany. o  The base at Pearl Harbor had radio

transmissions of planes heading toward the base, but were told to ignore the readings.