Pearl Harbor

Definition

Pearl Harbor refers to the surprise military attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base located in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. This event marked a significant turning point in World War II, leading to the United States formally entering the war against Japan and its allies. The attack also resulted in widespread repercussions for Japanese Americans, including their internment due to heightened fears of espionage and sabotage.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Pearl Harbor attack resulted in the destruction of nearly 20 American naval vessels and over 300 airplanes, along with significant loss of life, including more than 2,400 service members and civilians.
2. The attack prompted the United States Congress to declare war on Japan on December 8, 1941, just one day after the assault.
3. In response to the attack and growing war fears, the U.S. government established internment camps where over 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated, many of whom were U.S. citizens.
4. The Santa Fe Internment Camp was one of several facilities across the nation where Japanese Americans were held during World War II, often under harsh conditions and without due process.
5. The legacy of Pearl Harbor remains significant in discussions about civil liberties, as the internment of Japanese Americans is now viewed as a grave injustice influenced by wartime hysteria.

Review Questions

• How did the attack on Pearl Harbor influence public perception and policy regarding Japanese Americans in the U.S.?
  • The attack on Pearl Harbor significantly altered public perception of Japanese Americans, leading to widespread fear and suspicion towards this community. Many Americans began to associate Japanese Americans with potential espionage and disloyalty, despite evidence showing they posed no threat. This fear culminated in policies that sanctioned their forced relocation and internment, resulting in deep social and psychological impacts on those affected.
• Discuss the implications of Executive Order 9066 on Japanese Americans following Pearl Harbor's attack.
  • Executive Order 9066 had profound implications for Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor. This order granted the military authority to designate areas from which any person could be excluded, leading to the internment of thousands without trial or evidence of wrongdoing. As a result, families were uprooted from their homes and businesses, leading to long-lasting economic hardship and social stigma for those who were unjustly incarcerated.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of Pearl Harbor on American society's view of civil liberties and national security.
  • The events surrounding Pearl Harbor led to a reevaluation of civil liberties in America, particularly concerning national security concerns during wartime. The internment of Japanese Americans raised critical questions about racial prejudice and government overreach that resonate today. In subsequent decades, this experience has informed debates around civil rights during times of crisis, prompting discussions about how to balance security measures with the protection of individual freedoms, especially for minority groups.

Related terms

Japanese Internment: The forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, driven by fears of national security following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Executive Order 9066:

A presidential directive signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt that authorized the internment of Japanese Americans in camps across the United States.

World War II:

A global conflict from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations divided into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis powers.