Lend-Lease Act
The Lend-Lease Act was based on the premise that the United States would assist any country whose defense was in jeopardy and could pose a threat to the national security of the United States. Eventually, the United States’ role in the war would be far greater than just a source of aid to our allies.
In 1941, the United States froze Japan's assets and cut off all trade when the Japanese demanded control of the French colonies in Indochina. Many political leaders in the United States saw such a move on Roosevelt’s part as a precursor to war.
General Hideki Tojo
General Hideki Tojo, who became Prime Minister of Japan in 1941, realized that the United States was preparing for war after passing the Lend-Lease Act, and welcomed war with the country. At the time, Roosevelt was still holding out for a peaceful resolution. On November 25, 1941, the United States discovered that a Japanese fleet was moving toward Southeast Asia. As the United States sent a stern warning message to the Japanese, additional ships were on their way. The Japanese believed they had to eliminate the American fleet stationed in Hawaii to put an end to the supplies and war material being sent from its ports.
Photo taken during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
On December 7, 1941, the United States was no longer able to remain neutral; Japan had made the choice for the Americans by attacking Pearl Harbor. Almost 200 Japanese warplanes bombed the U.S. fleet and airfields in Hawaii. The U.S.S. Arizona was lost in the attacks. President Franklin Roosevelt, in his famous address to the American people called December 7th, 1941, a date “which will live in infamy.” On December 8th, the United States declared war on Japan, and three days after the devastation at Pearl Harbor, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. America was once again engaged in a world war.
U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.
The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial was built atop the site of the sunken battleship. It serves to commemorate all military personnel who perished in the attack on Pearl Harbor.