1941 December 7th Japan Attacks Pearl Harbor, Hi
This section might seem a little lean compared to the impact of the event itself but the actual attack on Pearl Harbor, HI is pretty straight forward. The significance of this event is in it's long reaching effects and impact on World War II as a whole. The purpose of this attack by Japan was an attempt to neutralize what they believed their biggest threat in the Pacific region by neutralizing our fleet with a surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, HI. In this aspect the Japanese miscalculated and the United States with all it's manpower, industrial capabilities and natural resources was forced now to be an active participant in the war instead of watching as the war unfolded from afar. This single event effectively ended the United States Isolation policy.
Below is a copy of the actual message sent from Pearl Harbor, Hi to Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet and then on to Washington, D.C. informing them that they are under attack.
This section might seem a little lean compared to the impact of the event itself but the actual attack on Pearl Harbor, HI is pretty straight forward. The significance of this event is in it's long reaching effects and impact on World War II as a whole. The purpose of this attack by Japan was an attempt to neutralize what they believed their biggest threat in the Pacific region by neutralizing our fleet with a surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, HI. In this aspect the Japanese miscalculated and the United States with all it's manpower, industrial capabilities and natural resources was forced now to be an active participant in the war instead of watching as the war unfolded from afar. This single event effectively ended the United States Isolation policy.
Below is a copy of the actual message sent from Pearl Harbor, Hi to Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet and then on to Washington, D.C. informing them that they are under attack.
The Japanese as early as 1937 began to plan for a sneak attack against Pearl Harbor Hi. This planning included training their pilots specifically for this type of a mission. The reason the Japanese choose Pearl Harbor was simple. The United States felt that this area was far enough away to be safe from a direct enemy attack and with that in mind stationed the majority of her fleet (including the backbone of the fleet her battleships). The United States felt secure that the large concentration of her naval forces in Pearl Harbor were safe from attack and need only fear sabotage from enemy spies. They were wrong and would suffer greatly because of this miscalculation. The film below covers a few items regarding the United States entry into World War II but I want you to pay specific attention to the section on how Japan planned, trained and executed the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, HI on December 7th, 1941. For this lesson it is only necessary that you watch the first 5 minutes and 8 seconds of this film. The rest should be viewed in lesson 4 Mobilization. Below is a film that shows the bombing of Pearl Harbor, HI and the initial reaction of the United States of America.
Linked below is a power point presentation file that shows the engagement map, troop strengths at the start of the battle and losses for both the Allies and the Axis.