The Impact and Legacy of Pearl Harbor: a Turning Point in World War II

On December 7 1941 a calm early Sunday morning was spent in Pearl Harbor Hawaii was shattered by an unexpected military attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously referred to this event as “a date which will live in infamy” as it not only caused immense loss and destruction but also signaled a turning point in world history that propelled the United States into World War II.

The Japanese had carefully planned their attack on Pearl Harbor in order to weaken the U.

S. Pacific Fleet and thereby guarantee Japan’s supremacy in the Pacific. The first wave of Japanese aircraft arrived at the harbor at around 7:55 AM and the fierce assault began hitting battleships airfields and other strategic installations. In less than two hours the destruction reached a staggering total of eight battleships damaged four of which were sunk; over 180 aircraft were destroyed; and over 2400 Americans were killed and another 1000 wounded. Although the Japanese intended this act of aggression in order to prevent American meddling with their military activities in Southeast Asia it ultimately had the opposite effect.

Following the attack a wave of shock and outrage swept the country. On December 8 1941 President Roosevelt addressed Congress and the United States officially declared war on Japan. This marked the country’s official entry into World War II transforming it from a country primarily preoccupied with domestic matters and reluctant to fight another overseas war into a key player in the global war effort. The united and determined response to the attack on Pearl Harbor spurred the rapid mobilization of American military and industrial resources thereby changing the course of the war.

Pearl Harbor had far-reaching effects that went well beyond the quick military and political reactions. As people from all walks of life came together to support the war effort it helped to create a sense of unity and purpose among Americans. Important adjustments to military tactics and strategy were also brought about by the attack. A change in naval doctrine that placed more emphasis on the value of aircraft carriers and air power than conventional battleships was brought about by the vulnerability revealed at Pearl Harbor. The Allied successes in the Pacific Theater that followed were greatly aided by this strategic realignment.

In addition Pearl Harbor’s aftermath had a significant and lasting impact on American culture. A tragic episode in American history the internment of Japanese Americans resulted from the attack which intensified racial prejudices already in place and led to the forcible evacuation and detention of about 120000 people of Japanese heritage the majority of whom were citizens of the country. Racism and wartime panic led to this policy’s lasting damage which has since been widely denounced as a serious injustice.

The attack on Pearl Harbor represented a turning moment in World War II when seen in a larger historical framework. The Allies now had the industrial and military strength to oppose the Axis forces thanks to the United States’ admission into the war. In addition to supporting the European Theater’s efforts American engagement was crucial in the Pacific where engagements like Midway Guadalcanal and the island-hopping campaign ultimately brought the war to Japan’s doorstep. The United States’ ability to fight on two fronts which was sparked by the events of December 7 1941 was largely responsible for the eventual Allied victory.

In hindsight Pearl Harbor serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of world war and the significant effects that military action has on diplomatic ties. The strike altered the balance of power in the world and paved the way for the US to become a superpower in the years after World War II. It also acted as a spur for improvements in military strategy and technology lessons that are still applied to defense operations and policies today.

Pearl Harbor left behind a history of adaptability and change. Although the attack caused a great deal of loss and suffering it also brought the country together and highlighted the significance of readiness and attentiveness. The somber reminder of the price of conflict and the never-ending pursuit of peace is provided by the memories of those who lost their lives. As a result Pearl Harbor has endured as a permanent fixture in the American psyche signifying the potential for both tragedy and victory to arise from the furnace of war.

Did you like this example?

247

13