Could Pearl Harbor Have Been Avoided

December 7, 1941, is known as “a date which will live in infamy.” It was a normal day until 7:55 that morning, when the first bombs from the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service fell on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. When the attack was done at 9:45 AM, 110 minutes after it had begun, over 3,500 Americans were killed or injured, 19 ships were damaged or sunk, including all eight of the battleships, and over 300 aircrafts were damaged. Thankfully, a majority of the ships were recovered. Could the Pearl Harbor attack have been avoided? Some believe it could have been prevented, while others believe it was a complete surprise to us and we didn't see it coming. When you think of all the events that lead up to the attack, it is obvious that the attack should never have occurred. America had belittled Japan since the 1800’s. We could have prevented the attack if we had not shown Japan disrespect and if we had payed attention to warnings. President Roosevelt even said “It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago.” The attack on Pearl Harbor may have been prevented if there were not various faults on the base. There was no radar station in Hawaii until August 1941, …show more content…
After the attack, the United States went into war with Japan and entered World War II. In return for the Pearl Harbor attack, America dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. The attack on Pearl Harbor made Americans fear for their safety, but after World War II, the government showed that the safety of American citizens was their first priority. When World War II ended, America was in better economic condition than any other country in the world. People may look at Pearl Harbor as one of the worst American defeats, but you can also look at it as a new beginning for the United