World War 2 Project

American Pride: Protecting American Soil At the beginning of World War 2 America decided not to participate in the war. America was still haunted by the thought of war and wanted to keep to itself. This decision lasted until the attack on American territory: Pearl Harbor. This attack stirred up American Pride, united the hearts of Americans, and drove the country to war.

On December 7th 1941 a total of 350 Japanese aircraft raided Pearl Harbor damaging or sinking 21 American ships and destroying 188 American aircraft. The death toll reached 2,350, along with 68 civilians and 1,178 injured.

The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor Franklin Roosevelt signed a declaration of war against Japan. In the declaration it said, “The Imperial Government of Japan has committed unprovoked acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America.” Further along in the document it stated that war had been, “thrust upon the United States.” America had not originally wanted to go to war but the protection of the American but the attack on Pearl Harbor drove the people to war.

There had been rumors of missing Japanese navy ships a week before the attack on Pearl Harbor. These rumors were dismissed as impossible by many of the soldiers thinking that the Japanese would never dare to attack the strong naval base set up at Pearl Harbor. This overconfidence may have cost us much, but it also brought about more determination in the hearts of Americans.

9/11: A second Pearl Harbor Attack?

On September 11, 2001 19 terrorists hijacked 4 commercial jet liners. Two of these airplanes were intentionally crashed into the Twin Towers (World Trade Center). The buildings collapsed destroying themselves and nearby buildings. Another of the airliners was driven into the Pentagon which did heavy damage to the building and killing many people. The 4th airliner was crashed unintentionally into a field in southwest Pennsylvania. 2,974 people died as an immediate result of the attacks.

On September 18th, 2001 the United States Congress passed the, “Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists” which authorized the use of the United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the attacks on September 11th, 2001. The authorization granted the President the authority to use all “necessary and appropriate force” against those involved with the attacks. This began the War on Terror.

The resolution against terrorists stated that on September 11th “acts of treacherous violence were committed against the United States and its citizens” and that the attacks on 9/11 “render it both necessary and appropriate that the United States exercise its rights to self-defense and to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad.”

The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists was a joint resolution with the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq. This second resolution authorized the Iraq War. The resolution was signed into law by President Bush on October 16, 2002. This resolution began the war we are in now. The only reason the resolution passed was because the American people knew that the September 11th attacks rendered it necessary to “protect United States citizens both at home and abroad.” If this meant going and rooting out terrorists in their own country, then so be it. American knew that it couldn’t let something like the September 11th attacks happen again.

Similarities Between the 9/11 Attacks and Pearl Harbor • Both attacks were on American territory. • They both took over 2000 American lives. • They both caused heavy damage to American property. • They both initiated a war. • They both were a surprise.

• They both angered and saddened many Americans. • Both attacks gave rise to a strong response by the American people. • Both brought about patriotism in the hearts of Americans. • Both came from a foreign country.