World War II was a global war, a very significant point in history, which changed the world today. The war went from September 1st, 1939 to September 2nd, 1945 (HistoryNet, 2015). One major event during the war was the surprise bombing of the American Naval Base, located in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. It was bombed on the 7th of December, 1941 and lasted for around 2 hours. Conducted by the Japanese during WWII, the attack on Pearl Harbour led to severe and influential outcomes which altered the outcome of the war, changing the world today. This essay will discuss the significance of Pearl Harbour, along with its militarily strategic positioning and the US Pacific Fleet, the main reasons why the Japanese chose to attack Pearl Harbour, and both the
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One of those the short term consequences of the attack on Pearl Harbour was the extreme devastation of the Pacific Fleet. During the attack, over 2000 people were killed, over 200 planes were destroyed and approximately 8 battleships were sunk or badly damaged (A&E Television Networks, 2015). “The attack yesterday… caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives were lost” (Day of Infamy Speech, Draft no 1. December 8, 1941). This quote from the beginning of the Day of Infamy Speech, about the destruction and loss of lives during the attack. The speech was delivered by the President of the USA at the time – Franklin D. Roosevelt – on the 8th of December, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbour attack was attacked. This speech confirms that the attack was a very brutal and painful experience, to the people who were forced to defend the base, but also to the military leaders. However, while it does convey these messages about the attack, it is clearly from America’s point of view, and is definitely biased. While these short term consequences didn’t have much influence on the war at the time, it was these that led to the long term consequences which affected the outcome of the
One of those the short term consequences of the attack on Pearl Harbour was the extreme devastation of the Pacific Fleet. During the attack, over 2000 people were killed, over 200 planes were destroyed and approximately 8 battleships were sunk or badly damaged (A&E Television Networks, 2015). “The attack yesterday… caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives were lost” (Day of Infamy Speech, Draft no 1. December 8, 1941). This quote from the beginning of the Day of Infamy Speech, about the destruction and loss of lives during the attack. The speech was delivered by the President of the USA at the time – Franklin D. Roosevelt – on the 8th of December, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbour attack was attacked. This speech confirms that the attack was a very brutal and painful experience, to the people who were forced to defend the base, but also to the military leaders. However, while it does convey these messages about the attack, it is clearly from America’s point of view, and is definitely biased. While these short term consequences didn’t have much influence on the war at the time, it was these that led to the long term consequences which affected the outcome of the