3. The Pearl Harbor Attack
On December 7, 1941, scores of Japanese Bomber planes flew across Hawaii to the harbor that held several American warships and servicemen, known as Pearl Harbor. The attack involved 353 Japanese bombers, fighters and torpedo planes, which caused utter destruction in the otherwise peaceful and resting area, on an unsuspecting and unprepared US Navy.
The Japanese attack had been planned as a preventive act, with the ambition of destroying vital American resources and allowing Japan more time to prepare themselves and strengthen their forces for the war. The Japanese were successful in causing massive levels of damage to the US Navy, including the destitution of four major battleships and the sinking of three cruisers, a minelayer, and three destroyers. Through their attempts to defend and because they had no expectation of the attack, the Americans also lost 200 aircraft, and approximately 2,500 men were killed, with scores more injured. The attack on Pearl Harbor shook the world because it was the first instance of a significant military air attack that began on land and instead used aircraft carriers.
The attack on Pearl Harbor led to President Roosevelt immediately declaring war on Japan, and this began a cycle of events and diplomatic allegiances. The Germans and Fascist Italians swiftly declared war on America and the US evolved their clandestine support for the UK into that of an active ally, cementing the United States’ entry into World War Two.