“December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy…” (American Rhetoric) was a quote used in a powerful speech by Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Only ten miles west of Honolulu stands Pearl Harbor, one of the states’ most important naval bases. The surprise attack was lead and planned by Japanese ambassador, Isoroku Yamamoto. Yamamoto had been training his troops for over a year in preparation for this attack, even making a fake Pearl Harbor used for practice(McGowen 11). This historic attack was the reason for the United States (US) joining World War Two (WWII) on the side of the allies. Altogether there were around 2500 American casualties, and only 59 Japanese lives lost (Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau). …show more content…
This planning came promptly after the United States cut off trade with Japan. Because of Japanese involvement in WWII the US cut off all trade of oil, metals, and any material that could be used for warfare, to Japan (McGowen 6). Some Americans were outraged towards the Japanese, because Japan wanted to become the strongest power in Asia. The US had valuable trade deals with China, so they were worried that would be ruined if Japan overtook China (McGowen 5). All Japanese believed they were superior, and they wanted to prove to the world they were a dominant power. Because Yamamoto decided not to follow the rules of war, it led to a more deadly battle and made America look weak. (McGowen …show more content…
One day later FDR asked congress for a declaration of war (Fitzgerald 83). On this day, the US would agree not to stay in isolation of the war going on around them, and officially join. Before Pearl Harbor, the US had been against going to war with anyone since they had recently just gotten out of a depression. After the attacks, Americans felt they had no choice but to go to war (Fitzgerald 82). Addressing the country FDR called this day, “a date which will live in infamy,” and although his speech was short, it was very powerful (Fitzgerald 83). Because of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the fact that the government ignored warnings, Americans were worried and more cautious for the future (American History). After hearing about the attack, thousands of men raced to enlist in an effort to support their country (Fitzgerald