American Government

Attack on Pearl Harbor- December 7, 1941

On 7 December 1941 the greatest disaster in United States history occurred. Truly this was and is, “’A date which will live in infamy.’”(Costello 1), but not for the bombing of Pearl Harbor, rather for the deception and the mis-guidance used by the Government and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Before World War II, civilian judges granted great deference to military administrative personnel determinations, citing the military's specialized expertise and Congress's Constitutional rule-making authority over military affairs.

Yesterday, December 7, 2007, marked the 66th year Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. In relation to the fact that the anniversary has just passed, I wanted to review and research that in which the American Government could have done differently, what they did do, and what the outcome was of this event. The American Government has an influence in every decision, and action that is held within an attack previous or during the time of war. The government is the foundation and force of action that pushes this country forward from Congress, to the President.

On 5 December 1941 at a Cabinet meeting, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox said, “Well, you know Mr. President, we know where the Japanese fleet is?” “Yes, I know, …Well, you tell them what it is Frank,” said Roosevelt (Toland 294). Knox became extremely excited with the ok from Roosevelt, and he went to tell the group of where the Japanese were and where they were headed. Just as Knox was about to speak Roosevelt interrupted saying, “ We haven’t got anything like perfect information as to their apparent destination (Toland 294).” All Navy reports showed the Japanese were in Pacific Water, and were in a direction towards Hawaii and Pearl Harbor. Roosevelt knew this information, but one must wonder why in the world would he not want to tell his cabinet this information, unless he wanted to hide something? On 6 December 1941 at a White House dinner Roosevelt was given the first thirteen parts of a fifteen part decoded Japanese diplomatic declaration of war and said, “This means War (Toland 318).

Many reports on Pearl Harbor are believed to be a conspiracy put in force by President Roosevelt in relation to the information above, but no one truly knows. In relation to the fact that we have been discussing Congress and its tasks within our country, it is important to view the tasks that were in Congress' hands during the United States' conflict with Japan.

The last time Congress declared war was on December 11, 1941, against Germany in response to its formal declaration of war against the United States. This was accomplished with wording that took less than one-third of a page, without any nitpicking arguments over precise language, yet it was a clear declaration of who the enemy was and what had to be done. And in three-and-a-half years, this was accomplished. A similar resolve came from the declaration of war against Japan three days earlier. Likewise, a clear-cut victory was achieved against Japan.

The following is President's Roosevelt's declaration to Congress for war against Japan: 'I ask,' he concluded, 'that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday comma December 7 comma a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire period end.' As soon as I transcribed it, the President called Hull back to the White House and went over the draft. The Secretary brought with him an alternative message drafted by Sumner Welles, longer and more comprehensive in its review of the circumstances leading to the state of war. It was rejected by the Boss and hardly a word of his own historic declaration was altered. Harry Hopkins added the next to the last sentence: 'With confidence in our armed forces-with the unbounded determination of our people-we will gain the inevitable triumph-so help us God.' "

It is an interesting fact, the procedures that are taken in a time of crisis within our country for they mark the future that our country faces. Every serious and crucial matter lies in the hands of Congress and the President, and of course there are others in between, but these two have the communication within each other to move forward and press on within matters. In the case of Pearl Harbor, decisions made between President Roosevelt, and the Congress led to the United States bombing Japan in 1945.