Pearl Harbor
Rutgers University
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
A Comprehensive Essay
Brian Foley
LTJG LaVopa
Maritime Strategies and Affairs
15 April 2013
The Attack on Pearl Harbor The attack on Pearl Harbor was one of the worst attacks took the United States by surprise. 7 December 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt claimed it to be “a date which will live in infamy.” On that day, hundreds of Japanese fighters and dive bombers swarmed over the island, destroying ships, air planes, and other assets. After that day, over 2,300 Americans had been killed, 12 ships were sunk, and 160 aircraft were destroyed. The attack took the entire country by surprise, especially Pearl Harbor base; which expected nothing to happen on that lazy Sunday morning (“The Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor”). In this paper, I will talk about what events led up to Japan’s attack on the U.S., what occurred and how the attack happened, and what were the effects on the U.S. Navy after the attack occurred. To understand the attack on Pearl Harbor, first we must look at the events leading up to the attack. In the early 1930s, Japan started its conquest to take China. In 1931, Japan conquered Manchuria, challenging America’s “Open Door” policy. (LaVopa) In 1937, Japan continued its campaign to take the rest of China. In 1940, the Japanese ally Nazi Germany and join the axis powers. A year later, they take over Indochina. In the process of expansion in China, a U.S. Gunboat, the USS Panay, was attacked by Japanese aircraft while on patrol in the Chinese sea. President Roosevelt wanted to pin this as a reason to go to war, but the Japanese sent an apology, payed for all of the damages, and then promised to protect American Nationals; leaving Roosevelt with no way to declare war on Japan. (Events) Tensions rise with Japan and the U.S., when President Roosevelt asks congress to for $500 million to increase America’s defense. Roosevelt did this because he believed that Germany was a threat to the
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
A Comprehensive Essay
Brian Foley
LTJG LaVopa
Maritime Strategies and Affairs
15 April 2013
The Attack on Pearl Harbor The attack on Pearl Harbor was one of the worst attacks took the United States by surprise. 7 December 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt claimed it to be “a date which will live in infamy.” On that day, hundreds of Japanese fighters and dive bombers swarmed over the island, destroying ships, air planes, and other assets. After that day, over 2,300 Americans had been killed, 12 ships were sunk, and 160 aircraft were destroyed. The attack took the entire country by surprise, especially Pearl Harbor base; which expected nothing to happen on that lazy Sunday morning (“The Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor”). In this paper, I will talk about what events led up to Japan’s attack on the U.S., what occurred and how the attack happened, and what were the effects on the U.S. Navy after the attack occurred. To understand the attack on Pearl Harbor, first we must look at the events leading up to the attack. In the early 1930s, Japan started its conquest to take China. In 1931, Japan conquered Manchuria, challenging America’s “Open Door” policy. (LaVopa) In 1937, Japan continued its campaign to take the rest of China. In 1940, the Japanese ally Nazi Germany and join the axis powers. A year later, they take over Indochina. In the process of expansion in China, a U.S. Gunboat, the USS Panay, was attacked by Japanese aircraft while on patrol in the Chinese sea. President Roosevelt wanted to pin this as a reason to go to war, but the Japanese sent an apology, payed for all of the damages, and then promised to protect American Nationals; leaving Roosevelt with no way to declare war on Japan. (Events) Tensions rise with Japan and the U.S., when President Roosevelt asks congress to for $500 million to increase America’s defense. Roosevelt did this because he believed that Germany was a threat to the
Cited: Department of Defense. 50th Anniversary of World War II Commemorative Committee. Pearl Harbor: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Chronicle, "A Grateful Nation Remembers" 1941-1991. Washington: The Committee, 1991. "Events Leading to the Japanese Attack of Pearl Harbor Hawaii." World History International: World History Essays From Prehistory To The Present. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. "The Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor." America 's Story from America 's Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2013. LaVopa , Anthony. "The US Navy in the Pacific, 1941-1945." Maritime Strategies and Affairs. Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey. Hardenburgh, Piscataway . 13 Mar. 2013. Class lecture. "Remembering Pearl Harbor - National Geographic Education." Teachers Homepage - National Geographic Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2013.