The Positive Impact of Pearl Harbour on America

Transcription

1 The Positive Impact of Pearl Harbour on America By: Student Teacher: Mr.Cotey Date: Thursday, December 17, 2009

2 Yesterday, December 7, a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. 1 President Roosevelt recited this speech to the nation on December 8, 1941, just one day after the attack on Pearl Harbour. Throughout history, the United States has been faced with many challenges. However, none quite like this. This attack was unexpected and left America with one of the toughest decisions they have ever had Rob Cotey :17 PM Comment: This is your hook to grab the reader s attention and keep them reading. to make. The outcome could have been catastrophic or valuable. President Roosevelt and President Truman, along with all of the American citizens, made sure it was the latter. Pearl Harbour had a positive impact on the United States because it galvanized the nation, prompted America into entering World War Two, and led to the end of the war. Firstly, Pearl Harbour positively affected the United States because it galvanized the nation. As a result of Pearl Harbour, the entire nation was unanimous in regards to Rob Cotey :16 PM Comment: This is a strong thesis because it is clear and to the point. entering the war. 16 million American men and women joined the military to fight on America s behalf. 2 As author John Denson said, It took the dramatic event of the attack on Pearl Harbor to shift public opinion overwhelmingly to support our entry into the war. 3 Citizens were united by the feeling of vengeance and determination that the attack Rob Cotey :18 PM Comment: Note that the author is citing all of their sources to add credibility to their work and also protect them from accusations of plagiarism. had brought upon them. "Before we're through with them the Japanese language will be spoken only in hell", said US Navy Admiral Bill Halsey. 4 They were all fighting for a 1 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation. American Rhetoric Top 100 Speeches, Web. 14 Dec < 2 U.S. Army Divisions in World War Two. History Shots, Web. 16 Dec < 3 Denson, John. A Century of War: Lincoln, Wilson and Roosevelt. Washington DC: Von Mises Institute, Print. 4 The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbour. Pearl Harbour, Web. 15 Dec <

3 common cause and knew that it would take the support of the entire nation to get through the war. The division in America that had been present as result of the civil war was now forgotten. Furthermore, it compelled the women in America to unite together. As the nation converted to a war economy, women were taking over the men s roles in society. This included working as teachers, doctors, and as part of the government. 5 Women also contributed largely to the factory work and production of weapons and war supplies which were in such high demand. In addition, the United States was galvanized due to Pearl Harbour because people were buying victory bonds and war stamps to fund the troops and the government. Citizens of America were doing everything they could to support their country at this critical time. Overall, Pearl Harbour was beneficial to the United States because it united the previously divided country. Secondly, Pearl Harbour had a positive affect on the United States because it led to the end of World War Two. Among other battles, America s extraordinary efforts on D-Day at Omaha and Utah Beach led to the destruction of Nazi Germany and suicide of their leader. Due to the contribution of American soldiers fighting against the Axis powers, Germany surrendered shortly after. This meant that no more innocent Jews were being killed and that it was the end of the war in Europe. Next, America s accomplishments weakened Japan and therefore shortened the length of the war. This saved many lives. It is estimated that over 1,000,000 more people would have died if the war had progressed further. Finally, because Japan was already weak, dropping the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki forced Japanese Emperor Hirohito and Prime Minister Suzuki to surrender. This put an end to the war. Abolishing two of the strongest 5 The Women of World War Two. Female Roles in World War One & World War Two, Web. 14 Dec <

4 threats also ensured that there would be no chance of another attack on US soil until the nations could rebuild themselves. "No compromise is possible and the victory of the democracies can only be complete with the utter defeat of the war machines of Germany and Japan." 6 This was said by Chief of Staff, G.C. Marshall and proves that the downfall of these two nations was irrefutable. The United States military had no choice but to defeat Germany and Japan. All things considered, the attack on Pearl Harbour eventually led to the end of World War Two. This had a positive impact not only on America, but the allied countries as well. Lastly, Pearl Harbour prompted the United States to enter World War Two which brought them out of isolationism, the depression, and allowed them to show their military strength to the world. After the attack, Roosevelt had no choice but to declare war on Japan. This instantly brought America out of isolationism. They were fully immersed in the war and would never again return to their previous ways. Next, entering World War Two helped strengthen the American economy. Still dealing with the aftermath of the stock market crash, the United States had been in a depression for the past decade. However the new, never-ending demand of weapons and war supplies started the industries booming again. Chief U.S. economist Dr. Ian Shepherdson said, As the United States mobilized and expressed its resolve in the ensuing days, the stock market came back. 7 This explains that the economic state of the country gradually increased after entering World War Two. Moreover, joining the war gave America the opportunity 6 The Sleeping Giant Awakens. World War Two Quotes, 30 May Web. 17 Dec < 7 Economists. High Frequency Economics, Web. 16 Dec <

5 to demonstrate the strength of their army and navy. As the war continued, the United States Navy grew to be the largest in the world, composed of over 250 ships, 60 submarines, and 7 aircraft carriers. 8 In reference to this, Douglas MacArthur said, there is not a finer fighting organization in the world! 9 Through the numerous military invasions that took place in Europe as well as Asia, the United States was able to prove the ruthlessness and courage of their troops. American Colonel David M. Shoup said in 1943, "Casualties many; Percentage of dead not known; Combat efficiency; we are winning." 10 This established them as a superpower and confirmed their position as one of the most able-bodied countries in the world. To sum up, forcing America to enter the war as a result of Pearl Harbour had a positive impact on the country. All in all, Japan s attack on Pearl Harbour had a positive effect on America because it united the nation, forced the United States into entering World War Two, and led to the surrender of the Japanese which ended the war. December 7, 1941 marked the first ever attack on US soil. This event changed the lives of American citizens forever. The United States took one of the most harmful events in its history and Rob Cotey :20 PM Comment: The author recaps their thesis at the beginning of their conclusion. They then go on to review the main pieces of evidence. made it beneficial to not only themselves, but to other nations as well. President Roosevelt believed in his country and the endless ambition of the American People. He said, With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph. 11 From George Washington to Barack 8 Ships of the Royal Navy in World War II. Ships of the Royal Navy in World War II, Web. 14 Dec < 9 Douglas MacArthur Quotes. Brainy Quote, Web. 17 Dec < 10 World War Two Famous Quotes. World War Two, Web. 17 Dec <

6 Obama, America has always stood out as a nation who fights for what they believe in. In the immortal words of Douglas MacArthur, Americans never quit. 12 Rob Cotey :22 PM Comment: Strong closing sentence as it reflects on America the country. 11 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation. American Rhetoric Top 100 Speeches, Web. 14 Dec Douglas MacArthur Quotes. Brainy Quote, Web. 17 Dec <

7 Bibliography Carter, Patrick, Fiorella Finelli, and Derek Grant. American History. Toronto ON: Emond Rob Cotey :23 PM Comment: Don t forget your bibliography! o Montgomery Publications, Print. Berard, Gerry World War II - American Involvement in the Pacific and the Far East o Oct < Pearl Harbour Raid, 7 December World War 2 in the Pacific, 7 Oct Web. 15 Sep < Attack at Pearl Harbour, EyeWitness to History, Web. 15 Sep < Farmer, Alan. The Second World War. Chicago, IL: Contemporary Books, Print. Stillwell, Paul. Air Raid: Pearl Harbour! Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute P, Print. Causes of Incarceration. Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project, Web. 4 Nov < World War Two Japanese Internment Camps in the USA. History on the Net, 14 May Web. 4 Nov < Siasoco, Ricco V. & Shmuel Ross. Japanese Relocation Centers. Info Please, Web. 4 Nov <

8 PEARL HARBOUR ATTACK - 7 December Solar Navigator, Web. 4 Nov < Franklin Delano Roosevelt Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation. American Rhetoric Top 100 Speeches, Web. 16 Dec < U.S. Army Divisions in World War Two. History Shots, Web. 16 Dec < The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbour. Pearl Harbour, Web. 15 Dec < The Women of World War Two. Female Roles in World War One & World War Two, Web. 14 Dec <