The Attack on Pearl Harbor The recent terrorist attacks on September 11th in Washington and New York City caused the greatest loss of life in a domestic incident of war since Pearl Harbor. Many Americans felt the September 11th events were similar to the surprise attack by the Japanese in 1941 on the United States on Pearl Harbor. The United States is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the East, the Pacific Ocean to the West and is bordered by two friendly nations, Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. Attacks on United States soil have therefore been rare. Both the World Trade Center and Pearl Harbor were, however, surprise attacks that resulted in a great loss of life and changed the course of history.Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States was an isolationist country and coming out of the Great Depression. There was a war raging in Europe in 1939 that involved many United States allies. Hitler’s German troops were attacking France, Poland, Great Britain and other European countries. Despite the attacks on these United States allies, citizens in the United States wanted to remain neutral. Meanwhile, in the Pacific, Japan had invaded China and Indochina and was making preparations for broader war. As late as December 1941, Americans thought that the United States Government should stay out of World War II and not interfere with European and Asian affairs (Gailey 29). On the morning of December 7, 1941 Japan launched a surprise attack against the United States and its Pacific Fleet based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii--“A day which will live in infamy”. The United States immediately entered the war and changed the course of the 20th century.Pearl Harbor is a land-locked harbor on the Southern coast of the Oahu Island in Hawaii. It is West of Honolulu. Pearl Harbor is one of the largest and best natural harbors in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Close by are many United States military installa...
