On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The attack destroyed or damaged 8 U.S. battleships and over 180 aircraft. Over 2,400 Americans were killed in the attack. In response, the U.S. entered World War II by declaring war on Japan. This engagement pulled the U.S. fully into what was already a global conflict between the Allied and Axis powers.

1. Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 By Jesse Christner Quit

2. Contents When in History? Why Japan attacked. Where the attack took place. Outcome. Who was involved? FDR, Yamamoto American Response. FDR, declare war Doolittle's attack of Tokyo U.S. enters WWII Pearl Harbor Memorial Pearl Harbor Video Concept Map Resources Quit

3. When in History December 7, 1941 In the Early morning hours of this infamous day, the Japanese Navy began their attack. The attack began at 7:53am with attacks from bombers and fighter planes. By 8:55am, another attack was made by mainly torpedo planes. By 9:55am, the attack was over and the U.S. Pacific fleet was heavily damaged. Quit Click here for a timeline of events

4. When in History At this point in history, Japan and China had been at war for some time. Germany and the British had also been at war. The U.S. had not joined forces with anyone yet, but this attack sent them into war. They became allies with the British and Chinese, and WWII had begun. Quit

5. Why Japan Attacked The objective of the Japanese was to strike and destroy the heart of the U.S. Navy before they had a chance to defend themselves. The Japanese believed that it would be inevitable that the U.S. would enter the war, so they set out to destroy the Navy before they could attack. Quit

6. Where the Attack took Place Pearl Harbor is a relatively shallow bay within the island chains of Hawaii. The entire U.S. Pacific Naval fleet was stationed here by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in order to intimidate the Japanese. 100 Naval ships were stationed in this area and it was a safe bay for the fleet, so they thought. Quit

7. Where the Attack took Place The U.S. thought Pearl was a safe bay because it was to shallow for submarines and torpedoes to be affective. This was true, but the Japanese developed new technology by placing wooden boards on the torpedoes so they could travel at more shallow depths. The results were devastating for the U.S. fleet. Quit

8. Outcome The U.S. Naval fleet of the Pacific was caught completely by surprise. The devastation included the deaths of 2,403 people, 188 destroyed aircraft, and 8 destroyed or damaged battleships. Even though the Japanese crippled the U.S. Navy by trying to wipe them out, the result was that they only woke the sleeping giant. This attack single handedly pushed the U.S. into WWII. Five days later, the U.S. declared war on Japan and also Nazi Germany, and Italy. Quit

9. Who was Involved U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt Japanese Admiral Yamamoto For almost a year, U.S. and Japanese leaders had been looking toward a peace agreement. The Japanese deceived the U.S. and had no plans of peace. War was Imminent. Quit

10. American Response As a result of the Japanese Attacks on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. declared war on the Japanese. The Japanese were allied with the Nazi party of Germany and the Fascist party of Italy. As a result, Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. U.S. forces had already been allied with the British and French forces but had yet to fight. Great Britain and France were already at war against the Nazi’s and Italy so the U.S. joined forces with the British. WWII was now at full strength. Quit

11. Doolittle’s Attack of Tokyo Four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle commanded a raid on Tokyo Japan. This was to be the first attack on the Japanese home islands. This was only a small raid, but it was at the heart of the Japanese industrial center. This small raid crippled the Japanese forces just as the attack on Pearl crippled the U.S. Click here to learn more about Doolittle’s Raid Quit

12. U.S. Enters WWI By April of 1942, the U.S. was in a full out war. They were allied with Great Britain and France and were fighting the axis powers of Japan, Germany, and Italy. The war would drag on for another four and a half years before the allied powers would come out on top. Hundreds of thousands died before the war was over, and U.S. involvement began at Pearl Harbor. Quit

13. Pearl Harbor Memorial In order to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers and sailors of Pearl Harbor, a memorial has been erected. An odd shaped building that symbolizes hope and triumph covers the sunken ship, USS Arizona. Visitors are able to walk through the building over the water and see the ship laying on the bottom of the bay. Quit

14. Pearl Harbor Memorial A plaque reads the names of the men and women lost that fateful day in December 7, 1941, “A date which will live in infamy”. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Quit

15. Pearl Harbor Video Click above to watch a video on Pearl Harbor Quit

16. Concept Map Quit

17. Resources http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor http:// www.doolittletokyoraiders.com / http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pearl.htm \ http://www.worldwariihistory.info/WWII/United-States.html http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm http:// streaming.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm ? Quit