World War II Begins

In 1939, World War II began as the Germans invaded Poland. Germany, Japan, and Italy then joined forces in 1940 and became known as the Axis Powers. The Axis Powers continued to advance against Allied nations such as France, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. The U.S. remained neutral, keeping its military uninvolved in European affairs. President Roosevelt did aid the Allies by supplying them with arms and other supplies.

Japan's Role

Like Germany, Japan sought to expand its territory. Japan planned to invade lands in Asia and the Dutch East Indies, including some U.S. territories. In response, the U.S. implemented an embargo, refusing to trade oil with Japan. Without oil, Japan could not pursue its goal of conquering the Dutch East Indies and Asian territories. Stopping the U.S. Navy was also crucial. In 1941, General Hideki Tojo assumed power in Japan. Tojo pretended to engage in peace talks with the U.S. but really planned to attack.

The Attack

The surprise air raids came on the morning of December 7 at the largest U.S. base in the Pacific, Pearl Harbor. The attack lasted less than two hours, but it devastated the U.S. Navy. About 350 warplanes and 18 ships were destroyed or damaged. Approximately 2,400 Americans died and more than 1,100 were injured. The bombing caused more damage to the U.S. Navy than all of World War I, prompting Roosevelt to proclaim it "a date which will live in infamy."

Consequences

The attack on Pearl Harbor had far-reaching effects on international relations. The U.S. could no longer remain neutral. The U.S. entered World War II and emerged as a leader among the Allied nations in defeating the Axis Powers. The U.S. also played a pivotal role in establishing the United Nations as an international peacekeeping body. Today the U.S. remains a prominent world leader. Also significant was the U.S. use of atomic bombs to end the war with Japan. These weapons would add to the Cold War tension that would linger between the U.S. and the Soviet Union for decades.

Pearl Harbor also affected domestic policy in the U.S. The attack made many Americans fear that people of Japanese descent were a threat to the nation. This racism prevailed, and in 1942 the government forced about 110,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans in the Pacific Coast states to leave their homes and jobs. Because of their ethnicity, they were confined to internment camps. The majority of these people were U.S. citizens.

Click here for a list of suggested reading for more in-depth information of the events surrounding Pearl Harbor.