Wednesday, March 25, 2015

World War II- U.S. vs. Japan


  • Japan agreed to join the Axis Powers in 1940. 
  • FDR put an embargo on shipments of plane fuel and scrap metal to Japan.
  • Japan occupies French IndoChina in 1941
  • U.S. ended trade (especially oil and scrap metal) with Japan
  • America wanted to stop Japanese aggression 

December 7th, 1941- "A Day Which Will Live In Infamy"

  • The Japanese plotted an attack on Pearl Harbor
  • 609 Japanese ships carrying 360 airplanes crossed 3,000 miles of Pacific Ocean
  • Early in morning on Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese unleashed a surprise attack on America's military base on Pearl Harbor. 
  • The USS Arizona and USS Nevada were completely destroyed-- 2,403 died, 1,178 wounded. 
  • On December 8th, FDR makes his famous speech before Congress and the nation to declare war against Japan. Three days later, Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S. 
  • The U.S. has officially entered WWII. 
Watch the video below on the attack on Pearl Harbor: (Sorry, there may be advertisements prior to the video.)

Write down three (3) important details regarding the clip. 
Do you agree or disagree with FDR's decision to ask Congress for a declaration of war? Explain. 

http://www.history.com/videos/japanese-attack-pearl-harbor#japanese-attack-pearl-harbor