Pearl Harbor was attacked because it would affect politics, it was unexpected, and it was one of the largest army, military, and navy bases owned by the Untied States. The United States declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941. Pearl Harbor housed artillery, cavalry, and infantry. It also housed very large naval ships. In 1935, they began constructing a fifteen million dollar air base. The Japanese attacked because they thought the United States could not recover in time to stop them from taking the far east.

What was Pearl harbor

     Pearl Harbor was a very peaceful place by Honolulu before the bombing. In the 1800’s, it was filled was pearl producing oysters(Fischer). Then, in 1884 Reciprocity treaty gave the United States exclusive rights to Pearl Harbor(Fischer). It also allowed sugar from the island to enter the United States free(Fischer). The United States government thought that it would create many jobs, which it did, until it was bombed. The workers cleared the harbor and turned it into a Naval base in 1908(Fischer). It housed large navy ships, and in 1909n it also held artillery, cavalry, and infantry(Fischer).“When construction began i 1909 on the first dry dock, many Native Americans were outraged”, experts explain(Fischer). Ford’s island was purchased in 1917 for the Army, Navy, and development of the Military.(Fischer) Also, in 1935 they began constructing a fifteen million dollar air base(Fischer)                ( Pearl Harbor before bombs) 

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Political Effect   

        Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7 1941. Many people believe, “The next day, Roosevelt asked congress to declare war on Japan” ( Stuckey 474). Four days later, Italy and Germany declared war on the United States(Tucker). Japan's attacks in 1940 and 1941 lead President Roosevelt to call embargo on all oil and scrap metal to Japan(Tucker). This will freeze Japans assets and make it tough for them to run machines without fuel. Japan's thought behind Pearl Harbor was that the United States could not recover in time to stop Japan from (congress declaring war on japan)        taking the far east(“Pearl Harbor.”).

      Other Targets

       “The same day Japan attacked U.S. military bases in the Philippines and on Guam, Midway, , and Wake islands”(Stuckey 474) . Ships from Pearl Harbor were sent to these places just days before the attack(Tucker). Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in two waves. It is said that three waves were supposed to attack(Tucker, Spencer C). This was supposed to be against oil farms and repair and maintenance plants(Tucker, Spencer C). The third wave did not go because United States ships were ready for them.

                                                                                                                                                                         (Ships at Pearl Harbor that have been bombed)    

References

Djansezian, Kevork. Pearl Harbor Ford Island. 19 May 2001. AP images. N.p., 19 May 2001. Web. 10 May 2010.

Fischer, John. “A brief history of Pearl Harbor Prior to WorldWar II.” About.com. New York Times Co., 2010. Web. 3 May 2010.       <     http://gohawaii.about.com/    ‌cs/‌pearlharbor/‌a/‌Lest_We_Forget1.htm>. 4

Gannon, Mary C. “Remember pearl harobor.” Penton: n. pag. EBSCO Eldercare. Web. 3 May 2010. <web.ebsco.com>. 1

“Pearl Harbor.” World War 2 history. N.p., 2010. Web. 3 May 2010. <http://worldwar2history.info/‌Pearl-Harbor/>. 2

Pearl Harbor 1941. 7 Dec. 1941. AP images. N.p., 25 Jan. 2007. Web. 10 May 2010.

Roosevelt asking Congress to declare war on Japan. 2005. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2010. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com>.Snyder, Louis L. “Pearl Harbor.”  

Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Schoolastic, 2010. Web. 3 May 2010. <http://go.grolier.com>. 3

Stuckey, Sterling. Call to Freedom. Austin, texas: Time warner company, 2000. Print. 6

Tucker, Spencer C. “Pearl Harbor, Attack on.” The encyclopedia of World War II, a political, social, and military history. 3rd ed. 2005. Print. 5

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