Through 1941, the United States moved step by step toward the Allies in Europe. In Asia, Japan was at war in China and pushing into Southeast Asia. In the summer of 1941 the U.S. froze Japanese assets and cut off oil sales. Japan's leaders decided to strike first.
Key idea
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Congress declared war on Japan the next day, December 8. Germany and Italy declared war on the United States on December 11.
Why it works
Japan wanted to knock out the U.S. Pacific Fleet so it could seize the oil and rubber of Southeast Asia before America could respond. The surprise attack sank or damaged eight battleships and destroyed 188 aircraft; 2,403 Americans were killed. But the fleet's aircraft carriers were at sea, and its fuel tanks and repair yards survived. The attack also ended the debate at home: the America First Committee disbanded within days, and the Senate voted 82 to 0 for war. In the House the vote was 388 to 1; Jeannette Rankin again voted no.
Work it through
Worked example: Reading the request closely
Roosevelt asked Congress for a declaration of war. Against whom, according to the text?
- Find the request: "a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."
- Germany is not named.
- So the U.S. declared war on Japan on December 8; Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. on December 11, and Congress answered the same day.
Answer: Japan only. The war with Germany began with Germany's declaration three days later.
Common mistake
Many students think the U.S. declared war on Germany first. The U.S. declared war on Japan; Germany declared war on the U.S. three days later. Another slip: Pearl Harbor was the only target. Japan also attacked the Philippines, Guam, Wake Island and British Malaya and Hong Kong the same day.
Pearl Harbor is the start of the U.S. war, not of World War II itself, which began in Europe in 1939 and in China earlier.