USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

THE UNITED STATES IN WORLD WAR I

[SOURCES]
Why did the United States enter World War Two?

(A) the invasion France

(B) ** the attack on Pearl Harbor

(C) the invasion of Poland

(D) attacks on US ships in the Atlantic

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -On December 7, 1941, following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States declared war on Japan. Three days later, after Germany and Italy declared war on it, the United States became fully engaged in the Second World War.

Concept note-2: -In May 1940, the United States had made Pearl Harbor the main base for its Pacific Fleet. As Americans didn’t expect the Japanese to attack first in Hawaii, some 4, 000 miles away from the Japanese mainland, the base at Pearl Harbor was left relatively undefended, making it an easy target.

Concept note-3: -The United States entered the second World War following the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on 7 December 1941.

Concept note-4: -President Roosevelt moved the US Pacific Fleet from California to Pearl Harbor in 1939. This move was a threat to Japan, who wanted to expand in the Pacific. Military leaders and politicians saw a war between the U.S. and Japan as inevitable, with the solution being to attack first. Japan did just that.

Concept note-5: -The United States didn’t want to intervene. During an emergency cabinet meeting called by Roosevelt immediately after the war erupted in Europe, it was agreed that the United States would remain an outside influence unless directly threatened or attacked.