“A Day Which Will Live in Infamy”

Our next posting is by Sidney Luong. She shares her findings about the Pearl Harbor bombing. She gives a good overview of the event. 

Mrs. Jordan 

“A Day Which Will Live in Infamy”

December 7, 1941; a day that still haunts America’s history to this day, brings chills up my spine.  Over the past summer, my family and I got the privilege to take a family trip to Honolulu, Hawaii. For a good day, I spent my time honoring those who had died on this horrific day at the USS Arizona Memorial. Actually walking in the Memorial hall, the faces of strangers all had the same look, why and how could this have happened. The resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on the USS Arizona the day of the attack. Why so many? Husbands, brothers, sisters, civilians. People. All who had no clue what was coming their way, their life and entrance in World War II.

Historical Content:

            The attack on Pearl Harbor corresponds with Chapter 37, New Conflagrations: World War II. Pearl Harbor was just one piece of the huge puzzle, World War II. Because of December 7, 1941, the United States had a reason to join the conflagration and initially turn the tide in favor of the Allies in the Atlantic.  There was no precedent to the scale of the devastation, the millions of dead, and the unimaginable barbarity. 

Summary:

The tensions between the two nations began to escalate when disagreements about China emerged. In 1931, Japan had conquered Manchuria and after unsuccessful campaigns in China, Japan decided to team up with Nazi Germany; by 1941 they had conquered the majority of Indochina. In the West, Roosevelt called for quarantine on aggressors. However no one really listened to his pleas, so when tensions increased with Japan and war broke out in Europe, the United States took action. The United States began instituting a cash and carry policy of supplying the British.  The cash and carry policy was a policy that allowed the British to purchase supplies from the United States but the only catch was that they had to carry the supplies on their own ships. Another policy that gained attention was the lend-lease program where the United States would “lend” destroyers and other goods to the British in return for the lease. This later extended to aid the Soviets, Chinese, and many more. At the same time, Japan had wanted to extend their powers to East Asia; however, the US also had economic and political interests in East Asia. They especially had their eyes out for Malaysia and the Dutch East Indies because of their raw materials such as: tin, rubber, and petroleum. In response, the United States government froze Japanese assets in the United States and imposed on giving oil to Japan. Because Japan lacked natural resources, they viewed this act as a threat against them. As a result, Japanese leaders began to revenge this act even if it would result in war against the US.

The Japanese commander of this attack was Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Yamamoto’s key elements in the attack was detailed preparations, the achievement of surprise, and the use of naval and aircraft carriers. Already in the spring before the attack, they were beginning their training. At dawn of December 7, 1941, the Japanese had approached undetected and began their attack. Luckily the US carriers were not at the base because they were either getting repairs done or out on delivers.  At six in the morning the Japanese sent their first wave of torpedo bombers, dive bombers, and fighters. The US Navy vessels did spot an unidentified submarine periscope, but did not see it as significant enough to take action. Once the Japanese attacked, they had achieved the element of surprise and bombed ships. The attacked finally ended a little before ten in the morning with 21 ships of the US Pacific Fleet either sunken or damaged. The number of Americans dead tallied up to 2, 403. With this number, the United States of America joined World War II on the Allies side.

            Even years after, the after effect of the surprise attack still shocks many today. Those 2,403 people did not die in vain; in actuality, they drove Americans to fight for the innocent and eventually win the war. As a reminder of the tragedy, on May 30, 1962, the USS Arizona Memorial was open. The day which will live in infamy is a blemish on the beauty on history of the United States. December 7, 1941.

Questions to Ponder

-          Why would the Japanese believe the United States was a threat just because they also had interest in East Asia?

-          If the Japanese aircrafts were detected earlier, would that affect the outcome of the conflict between the two nations? Or will the outcome be the same?

About the Author

            I’m Sidney Luong. As a current sophomore, I have a burning passion for music; whether it is classical or modern, I truly adore the dedication an artist puts forth. In the future, I hope to be able to travel to the places I’m currently learning about in my AP World History class. I chose to write about the Pearl Harbor because when I visited the USS Arizona Memorial, I was speechless. You look out to the ocean around the memorial and see the sunken ships that are still buried underwater. You look at the list of people who died during the attack and the only response that seems to come out is silence. A moment of silence is all an observer can do. I just wanted to take the time and give my respects to all of those who lost their lives on December 7, 1941, because what happened to them was truly unfair.