Before the Day of Infamy

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was a major shock to America. The nation was not involved in World War II at the time and it was the first time the US had been attacked so suddenly. However, December 7th 1941 was not a spontaneous attack. 

Photo: history.navy.mil

As the Pacific War was heating up, Japan was invading other nations. In response, the US halted oil exports to Japan. This was a move to maintain US neutrality since oil was only being exported to Latin America, the US's partner in the Good Neighbor Policy, and Great Britain. On January 6, 1941, President Roosevelt declared that the US was the "arsenal of democracy."

Photo: franklinroosevelt.com


The next day, the Japanese predicted that there would be a conflict with the US and that the navy should be destroyed early on. This decision prompts Japan to watch Pearl Harbor and figure out patterns of when the fleet is at sea and when it is in port. On November 26, a Japanese fleet departed for Hawaii. It silenced its radio to avoid detection and had plans to attack the US Pacific Fleet.

Photo: history.navy.mil