Pearl Harbor was once a beautiful and peaceful naval base located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. This port protected the mainland. Most of the Navy's ships, commanders, and supplies were stationed at Pearl Harbor, making it a huge target for foreign countries. Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamatoto stated that Pearl Harbor was an irresistible target. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack intended to cripple the United States Navy. While all of America was mourning the devastation of Pearl Harbor, Washington D.C. was planning for war. The United States was forced into war, but war was not what the general public wanted. Japanese General Yamatoto was held responsible for starting World War II. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the thirty-second president of the United States of America. Roosevelt was a Democrat. Roosevelt had several reasons for wanting to participate in World War II. Roosevelt feared that communism was starting to take over, so he wanted to join the war to prevent this from happening. He also feared that if Germany conquered Europe, it would plunge the world into a nightmare. Exactly fourteen months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, a lieutenant commander recommended that the United States induce Japan to attack America so that the Americans could enter World War II. Some researchers argue that Roosevelt knew about the attack on Pearl Harbor before it occurred. TheseSmith 2 researchers believe he sent false information to Hawaii about the location of the Japanese fleet. Roosevelt also told the base commanders that negotiations between the United States and Japan were being discussed and that there would not be a war (Bachrach). Isoroku Yamamoto was the commander-in-chief of Japan. Took part in many changes of Imperial J...... middle of paper ......to congress declaring a state of war." The Senate approved, but one member of Congress opposed. Only three days after Germany and Italy declared war on the United States of America. The attack on Pearl Harbor left the United States no choice but to join the Second World War (“Japanese bombs at Pearl Harbor”. Pearl Harbor. ) The attack on Pearl Harbor was very deadly and very destructive. To the untrained eye of Smith 4 this attack was a surprise, but to a mind like Roosevelt it was not a surprise attack. Researchers believe he wanted to go to war for many reasons; therefore, a commander suggested that Roosevelt provoke an attack from Japan. The plan led to America winning World War II, but also resulted in the loss of many American citizens. Today there are numerous memorials honoring the men and women killed in this devastating attack.