Pearl Harbor on 12/7/41: The Original 9/11 Presentation by Francis Ilankumaran Period 2
Day of Infamy Speech by FDR FDR gives the Day of Infamy Speech
Introduction In late 1930s, Hitler was waging war against major European powers to expand Nazi Germany Italy and Japan were major allies Together they formed Axis forces Britain and a few other European countries resisted Hitler France, the Netherlands and Britain formed Allies forces Adolf Hitler Hideki Tojo
Events Leading to Pearl Harbor Bombing Japan’s invasion of China causes US-Japan relation to go sour Japan wanted to spread in to European colonies in Asia for resources FDR cuts off all exports to Japan because they joined Axis forces In 1941, Japan occupies French Indochina FDR responds with oil embargo which forces Japan to attack Dutch East Indies US wants Japan to leave China but it refuses to do so and negotiation with Hideki Tojo fails US waits until troop build up is complete in Pacific but need for oil forces Japan to do a quick attack French Indochina Dutch East Indies
Pearl Harbor: Location and Importance Pearl Harbor is a harbor located on the southern end of the island of Oahu, a part of Hawaii Pearl Harbor was an important place for the U.S. Navy to use as a harbor for its ships. The mountains of Oahu were good for protection. The Japanese decided to strike first in a surprise attack. The place they could hurt the U.S. most was at Pearl Harbor, where much of the U.S. Pacific fleet was Map of Oahu Pearl Harbor Map Pearl Harbor
Leadership Japan - Fleet of 6 Aircraft Carriers under the command of Admiral Nagumo and Admiral Yamamoto - Aerial Assault Force under the command of Mitsuo Fuchida United States - Pearl Harbor Naval/Army Base under the command of Admiral Husband E. Kimmel and Lt. General Walter C. Short Husband Kimmel Walter Short
Timeline of Pearl Harbor 1:23 – The first Japanese bombs fall on Pearl Harbor 1:28 – “Air Raid Pearl Harbor. This Is No Drill!” – relayed to Mare Island naval Station 1:47 – Navy Secretary Frank Knox informs President of ongoing attack 2:05 – President Roosevelt calls Secretary of State Cordell Hull and tells him not to say anything about Pearl Harbor when he receives that Japanese envoys 2:10 – The second wave reaches Kahuku Point and bombards Oahu once again 2:20 – At this moment, the bombs start hitting Pearl Harbor 3:15 – Attacks end
Bombing Attack happened in two waves Nearly 18 American ships and 300 planes destroyed Many casualties – lives taken, wounded Air fields and Ships were the major target Attack Route Map
Destruction Map
USS Arizona The Japanese Aircrafts hit four times and had three misses at the USS Arizona The first bomb bounced off the face of Turret IV and smashed the deck, causing the captains pantry to blow up. The next hit was near the port edge of the ship that detonated in the area of the anti-torpedo bulkhead. The next bomb struck near the port rear 5-inch AA gun The last bomb penetrated the armored deck near the ammunition magazines, causing them to explode The explosion killed 1,177 of the 1,512 crewmen Destroyed USS Arizona
Airbase Attack The primary airfield targets for the Japanese during the attack on Pearl Harbor, were Hickam Field, Wheeler Field, and Ford Island. Kanoehe Naval Air Station, Bellows Field, and Ewa Marine Corps Station were all secondary targets Several P-36s were able to take off from Wheeler field, gain altitude, and attack the Japanese planes. Casualties at Wheeler totaled 33 killed and 75 wounded Wheeler Field
Valor and Sacrifice 15 people received the Congressional Medal of Honor after the pearl harbor Bombing. John Finn, a chief petty officer was a survivor who showed courage during the attack. He fought back with 50cal gun while injured heavily
Reaction to Bombing Americans was shocked and grieved after the bombing occurred Many people yelled at FDR, believing he knew of this all along Others looked to him for support, hoping that he could do something about what had happened Japanese and other Axis Powers believed that they did a great job in the bombing and believed this this bombing would help a lot in their war efforts FDR gives Day of Infamy Speech FDR gives Day of Infamy Speech
Impact of Bombing FDR decides to sign Declaration of War America goes into war and joins Allied forces with Britain and France Pearl harbor is seen today as the first ever terrorist attack on American Shows Americans that we need to be more prepared and less vulnerable FDR signing Declaration of War
Pearl Harbor Movie Very accurate portrayal of what happened Critically acclaimed by WWII survivors Very emotional movie Person who is watching gets a feel for what happened at Pearl harbor