Attack On Pearl Harbor Essay

The Attack on Pearl Harbor The attack on Pearl Harbor is widely considered one of the most significant events in American history, marking the United States entry into World War 2, On December 7th, 1941, Japanese aircraft launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing thousands of Americans and destroying much of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The attack on Pearl Harbor occurred amid growing tensions between Japan and the United States in the years leading up to World War 2. Japan, seeking to expand its empire in Asia and acquire natural resources to fuel its industrial growth, had come into conflict with the United States, which had a significant military presence in the Pacific. The two countries engaged in diplomatic talks to ease tensions, but they failed to reach an agreement. One of the major causes of the tension was the United States economic sanctions against Japan. The U.S. had cut off exports of oil and scrap metal to Japan, which were essential to Japan’s economy and military expansion. Japan saw this as a direct threat to its national security and believed that it is needed to take action to secure its access to these resources. In response, Japan decided to launch a surprise attack on the United States. The attack would allow Japan to destroy much

The attack began at 7:55 am and lasted nearly two hours. The Japanese planes attacked battleships, cruisers, and destroyers in the harbor, as well as the airfields at Hickam Field and the Wheeler Field. The most significant damage was done to the battleships, with the USS Arizona suffering the most significant loss of life, with 1,177 crew members killed. The attack resulted in the deaths of 2,403 Americans, with an additional 1,178 wounded. The attack’s destruction also left the U.S. Pacific Fleet severely crippled, with many ships either destroyed or severely