How was Pearl Harbor a turning point?

Answer 1

Pearl Harbor played a major historical role in World War II by galvanizing US support against the Axis. Previously, the US had generally supported Britain but was dissuaded by public opinion from direct involvement. By attacking the United States at Pearl Harbor, Japan brought America into the war.

President Roosevelt knew beforehand that something somewhere would happen, but Congress and the American people balked at entering the war. Japan's attempt was to destroy American naval power in the Pacific figuring it would take a couple of years to rebuild the fleet. This would allow them to conquer the Australian Archipelago and extend their empire. Luckily, the Enterprise was on maneuvers at sea and no American carrier was damaged in the attack. This set the stage for America entering the war and focusing its industrial might against the Axis Powers.

Irrespective of historical inklings for secret military action by Japan on Pearl Harbor, there was not even a simple warning given to the Americans by Japan. A declaration of war was printed in Japan's newspapers in the evening edition of December 8, 1941 but not delivered to the U.S. government until the day after the attack. However the British knew what was happening and did warn Roosevelt who deliberately ignored the warning, except to send a courier to Pearl who arrived too late.

The subterfuge brought America into the war.

Roosevelt also knew that the battleships were obsolete, and to protect the carriers they were sent to sea and the battleships and their crews sacrificed instead, in order to change American public opinion to favour entry into the war.

Answer 2

Some would say it wasn't really a turning point for the U.S. The nation was attacked and a lot of damage was done, but the US was already headed straight for involvement in World War II. Others believe that Pearl Harbor was a dramatic turning point. It was the impetus for the US to declare war.

Answer 3

Pearl Harbor played a major historical role in World War II by galvanizing US support against the Axis. Previously, the US had generally supported Britain but was dissuaded by public opinion from direct involvement. By attacking the United States at Pearl Harbor, Japan brought America into the war.

President Roosevelt knew beforehand that something somewhere would happen, but Congress and the American people balked at entering the war. Japan's attempt was to destroy American naval power in the Pacific figuring it would take a couple of years to rebuild the fleet. This would allow them to conquer the Australian Archipelago and extend their empire. Luckily, the Enterprise was on maneuvers at sea and no American carrier was damaged in the attack. This set the stage for America entering the war and focusing its industrial might against the Axis Powers.

Irrespective of historical inklings for secret military action by Japan on Pearl Harbor, there was not even a simple warning given to the Americans by Japan. A declaration of war was printed in Japan's newspapers in the evening edition of December 8, 1941 but not delivered to the U.S. government until the day after the attack.

Answer 4

Until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the United States was staying out of a war that was enveloping the rest of the world. When Japan attacked us we declared war on them. In return Hitler declared war on us. The result was that a huge source of raw and manufactured materials and men became available to the Allies. From that point on the Axis powers were out produced, out gunned, and out fought through the efforts of the "Arsenal of Democracy" (the United States) to support, and participate in, the Allied war effort.

Admiral Yamamoto, the architect of the Pearl Harbor Attack, was reported to have said " I fear we have awoken a sleeping giant".

Answer 5

It brought the US into the active war. Prior to that, the US had been supplying Great Britain. Once the production and resources of the US were placed on the side of the Allies, it became a matter of time before the end of the war.

Answer 6

Without it, the US may never had entered WW2.

Answer 7

It got the United States involved in the war, which proved a big help to the Allies, who eventually won the war.

Answer 8

surprise attack