Dealing with the Consequences: Roosevelt Responds to the Pearl Harbor Attack

By Nikki Zaidan

President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the American people after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, and in his speech to Congress announced his plan for war on Japan after this “dastardly attack” on the United States.

According to Roosevelt, Japanese air and naval forces “suddenly and deliberately attacked” the United States of America, despite the fact that America “was at peace” with Japan, and was working “with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.”

Roosevelt said he strongly believes that “the attack was deliberately planned,” and that even though the Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. communicated with the Secretary of State that there was “no threat or hint of war or armed attack,” Japan’s government still arranged for the attack. President Roosevelt pointed out the significance of the distance between Japan and Oahu, which, he felt, revealed that the Japanese government decided to attack at least several days beforehand.

As a direct result of this “unprovoked” attack, there have been many American deaths, in addition to “severe damage” done to American ships and military forces in Hawaii.

Roosevelt recognized that many people have concerns with the situation and want action of some kind to protect themselves and the country.

“I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again,” stated Roosevelt.

In addition to Japan’s attack on Hawaii and Midway Island, Japanese forces made attacks against Hong Kong, Malaya, Guam, the Philippine Islands, and Wake Island, which further provoked Roosevelt, as the Navy and Army commander in chief, to “[direct] that all measures be taken for our defense.”

Further, President Roosevelt addressed Congress with his plan for protecting the American people and requested that Congress officially declare war on Japan.

“No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion,” Roosevelt concluded, “the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory…With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.”


Sources:
Roosevelt, Franklin D. "Franklin Delano Roosevelt." Pearl Harbor Speech December 8 1941. University of Groningen, n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2014. .