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President Roosevelt Leads America Into The Second World War
On November 8, 1941, America’s Pacific fleet lay in ruins at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. That was because of the vicious attack the day before of Japanese pilots who had bombed the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, decimating the majority of U.S. warships in the Pacific Fleet, and sending four of them to the bottom of the ocean. The attack further decimated most of the Air Corps and Navy aircraft stationed on the island of Oahu. The bombing raids killed 2,403 people, including 68 civilians, and wounded almost 1,200 others. Almost impossible to believe, things could have been worse. If the Japanese had known just one other thing, they could have made it impossible for America to directly retaliate. Nearly all of the gasoline owned by the United States military was, unknown to the Japanese, inside a hill on Oahu. Bombing that hill would have most likely caused us to delay entering the war for several months.
Although Roosevelt and his advisors had received intelligence reports indicating an imminent attack by Japan days before, he had hoped that Japanese and American diplomats, then negotiating in Washington, would come to a peaceful solution. He was mortified to realize that at the very same moment American and Japanese diplomats were in direct negotiations with him in the White House over Japan’s recent military actions in China and elsewhere in the Pacific, Japanese aircraft carriers had been steaming toward Hawaii fully intent on their attack. His words on December 8 relayed his personal indignation and fury. Roosevelt had already proven his oratorical skills during the Great Depression when his “fireside chats” rallied the nation’s morale. The same president who once said “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” declared with equal conviction that the nation “would never forget the character of [Japan’s] onslaught against us….so help us God.”
Because of the results of having had polio and having to spend nearly all of his time in a wheelchair as a result (something which humiliated him), the president was leaning heavily on the arm of his son James because he believed it was proper to stand while delivering a message of this magnitude. James was a Marine captain of whom his father was very proud. With James help, FDR walked haltingly into the House of Representatives at noon to request a declaration of war from the House and address the nation via radio.
Here is the speech that changed our world forever:
In “Yesterday, December 7, 1941—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.
“The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
“Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
“It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
“Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
“Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
“Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
“Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
“Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
“This morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
“Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
“As Commander in Chief of the army and navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
“Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.
“No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
“Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
“With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.
“I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
Roosevelt’s 10-minute speech was greeted in the House by thunderous applause and stamping of feet. Within one hour, the president had his declaration of war, with only one dissenting vote, from a pacifist in the House. FDR signed the declaration at 4:10 p.m., December 8, wearing a black armband to symbolize mourning for those lost at Pearl Harbor.
The stirring speech was hardly necessary—Congress and millions of Americans, who had been hearing details of the attack in the news. They shared the president’s outrage and commitment to defending the nation. Young men flocked to armed forces recruiting stations the next day.
President Roosevelt Leads America Into The Second World War
President Roosevelt Leads America Into The Second World War