The Bombing of Pearl Harbor was a historic event, as it was the main reason that the United States got involved in World War II. If this event occurred in the age of Twitter and times of social media, many Americans would have known about it sooner, and many would have voiced their opinions about getting involved in the war. Moreover, many would have expressed their condolences to anyone affected as many choose to do on Twitter today when an incident like that occurs.

The news of the attack on Pearl Harbor shocked Americans around the world days ago. What surprised Americans, even more was that Germany and Italy just declared war on us.

So just how did we end up getting involved in another World War?

Just days ago, on Sunday, December 7, 1941, Japan issued a surprise attack on America and bombed Pearl Harbor, a naval base in Hawaii. On Sunday, Japanese forces destroyed many American naval ships. Along with this, more than 2,400 Americans died while another 1,200 were wounded. The attack lasted for two hours.

Relations between Japan and American had been tense before this event. Both countries had been competing for political and economic influence in the Pacific, and the United States had stopped giving them resources, such as oil. Japan wanted to attack America to cripple the United States Navy and to prevent the United States from attacking them first. Moreover, they wanted to prevent them from gaining more influence in the region (“Pearl Harbor Bombed”).

On December 8, the President requested that Congress declare war on Japan. Congress accepted his request. Today, three days later, Germany and Italy, allies of Japan and a part of the axis powers, declared war on the United States. This officially marks the entry of the United States into World War II. After the lasting impacts of World War I, America wanted to remain neutral and stay out of any further conflict. However, after this devastating attack, President Roosevelt decided to get involved and join the allied forces (“Pearl Harbor Bombed”).

Here are recent tweets from our President explaining his decision and expressing his sympathy to those who were affected:

On Twitter, many Americans expressed their condolences to all those who were affected. 

@user18293: What happened in Pearl Harbor can never happen again. We must come together. #PearlHarborStrong

@user43823: This is a sign we must get involved in the war! Remaining neutral is not enough. This is unacceptable. #PearlHarborStrong #WWII #Americaisready

#PearlHarborStrong was trending on Twitter just moments after Americans heard the news. 

World War II has been ongoing since September of 1939 when Germany attacked Poland. Two days after this first invasion later, France and England declared war on Germany. After the fallout from the first World War years prior, such as economic devastation, Germany is determined to gain more influence in the world and off-set their losses. 

President Roosevelt is set to issue an address to the nation this afternoon.

Note: This is an ongoing story. Check back for more updates.

Works Cited:

“Pearl Harbor Bombed.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 24 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pearl-harbor-bombed.