Causes Of Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor once was a beautiful, serene naval base located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. This harbor protected the mainland. Most of the navy’s ships, commanders, and supplies were stationed at Pearl Harbor, making it a huge target to foreign countries. Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamatoto claimed Pearl Harbor was an irresistible target. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack meant to cripple the United States Navy. While all of America remained in mourning over the devastation at Pearl Harbor, Washington D.C. was planning a war. The United States was forced into war, but war was not what the general public wanted. The Japanese general, Yamatoto, held the blame for starting World War II.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the thirty-second president of the United States of America. Roosevelt was a democrat. Roosevelt had several reasons for wanting to join World War II. Roosevelt feared that communism was beginning to take over so he wanted to join the war to prevent that from happening. He also feared that if Germany conquered Europe it would plunge the world into a nightmare. Exactly fourteen months before the attack on Pearl Harbor a Lieutenant Commander recommended that the U.S. provoke Japan into attacking America so that American could enter World War II. Some researchers say Roosevelt knew of the attack on Pearl Harbor before it occurred. These

Smith 2 researchers believe that he sent false information to Hawaii about the location of the Japanese fleet. Roosevelt also told the Commanders on base that negotiations between the U.S. and Japan were being discussed and there was not going to be a war (Bachrach).

Isoroku Yamamoto was Japan’s commander in chief. He took part in many changes of the Imperial J...

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...at the congress declare a state of war.” The senate approved, but one congressman objected. It was only three days later when Germany and Italy had declared war on the United States of America. The attack on Pearl Harbor left the U.S. with no choice but to join World War II (“Japanese Bombs Pearl Harbor.” Pearl Harbor.).

The attack on Pearl Harbor was very deadly and very destructive. To the untrained

Smith 4 eye this attack was a surprise, but to a mastermind like Roosevelt it was not a surprise attack. Researchers believe that he wanted to enter the war for many reasons; therefore, a commander suggested Roosevelt to provoke an attack from Japan. The plan resulted in America winning World War II, but also resulted in the loss of many American citizens. Today there are numerous memorials honoring the men and women killed in this devastating attack.