Americans were greatly surprised by the Japanese attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack occurred during a time when most Americans held to a particularly strong Isolationist view. Most Americans believed that it was in the best interest of the United States to stay as removed as possible from the international conflict. Americans thought that by staying uninvolved, the United States would keep away from the conflict that engulfed a great part of the world.

This unfortunate belief led to a false sense of security that left Americans shocked and unprepared for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The fact that Americans did not expect such an attack caused them to be totally unprepared for one. The United States armed forces at the time were completely unprepared. Congress had not appropriated enough money to prepare the military adequately. This lack of funds caused the United States Pacific Fleet to be weak and susceptible. The United States military intelligence was at worst inadequate and not capable of predicting the attack and at best irresponsible for not making sure that information that could have saved the Pa

A nation cannot depend on the head of its government to coordinate all areas of political and military command. This must be undertaken by a number or responsible people with expertise in different areas. Military intelligence and command, diplomatic measures and legislation must all be coordinated in preparation for the possibility of conflict. The lack of this coordination led to a number of causes for the events at the attack at Pearl Harbor and the loss of American lives that occurred.

There were many people who share responsibility for the attack on Pearl Harbor; however, the strategy of President Roosevelt to gain the support of the American people in a war with Germany could have been the most significant factor. In early 1940, as war raged in Europe, President Roosevelt believed that the United States would ultimately be the major power to fight against Germany. Unfortunately, due to the very prevalent Isolationist philosophy in the United States, the country was tremendously ill prepared both militarily and psychologically for war. Roosevelt needed to unite a globally apathetic nation to fight overseas in a struggle it was not involved in. In order to do this he had to unite the people in the United states in a war effort.

There are a number of lessons that Americans should learn from the attack on Pearl Harbor and the events and decisions that led up to it. The first is that "no war comes in a moment." War is the result of many decisions that are made by a great number of people. This is evidenced in the facts surrounded the attack. Americans should also remember the threat of Isolationism and the belief that the United States can stand alone without appropriate, timely involvement in foreign affairs. Finally, Americans should recognize that it is vital to the strength of the nation to maintain a properly prepared military force that can not only quickly act if necessary, but also act as a deterrent to a possibly threatening nation.

cific Fleet ever reached its military commanders.

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Approximate Word count = 1956
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)