History of the US: Pearl Harbor - Essay Example

The impact of the attack was massive and began World War II. In the past Pearl Harbor contained a shallow entrance and it was impossible for large ships to enter the harbor (Hakim 93). The United States pacific fleet was previously located in San Diego. Then President Franklin D. Roosevelt relocated it and sent it to Hawaii (Hakim 149). The American invasion of Hawaii made changes to the harbor and the rules related to it. The main motive for making Pearl Harbor as narrated by the United State is to protect the sailor and other men which are related to the whaling industry (Hakim 152). It was decided to make pearl harbor a duty-free harbor to increase the trade in the vicinity. By the start of 1900 to 1908 the American Navy expanded and improved its services (Hakim 153).

On the day of 7th December 1941, the Japanese imposed a surprise military attack on the United States Navy at Pearl Harbor. According to the Japanese the imposed military action is to avoid United States Navy to interfere in the Japanese invasion of other parts of the world (Hoyt 104). The Japanese air strike nearly crushed many of the United States' naval ships. The air attack was operated through six Japanese Aircraft Carriers. The United States naval ships that were sunk by the Japanese aircraft carriers included cruisers, destroyers, and anti-aircraft ships (Hoyt 137). A large number of men exceeding 2400 were killed in this attack and half of those numbers were wounded. The attack also demolished 188 fighter airplanes.

The next day after the Pearl Harbor attack the United States affirmed the war on Japan. The water in Pearl Harbor was shallow and it could be possible for the United States Navy to repair the sunken ships (Thomas 77). The Japanese were underestimated by the United States military and they thought it was impossible for the Japanese to impose such a massive attack (Thomas 116). On the next day of the surprise attack a Japanese submarine was captured by the U.S navy and one other Japanese submarine was destroyed by the U.S navy. Japan attacked the U.S. due to miscommunication between the countries. The U.S. tried to protect the rights of the smaller nations and Japan wanted their invasion by hook or by crook.