World War II and Pearl Harbor featuring the song "Remember Pearl Harbor"

Why did the United States officially stay out of the beginning of World War II and how did the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor change that?

Know (knowledge):

• United States policy of isolationism leading up to World War II
• Why World War II started 
• The Allied Powers and the Axis Powers
• Why the United States did not formally participate in World War II at the beginning
• Events leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and its impact on the United States

Mastery Objective

• Students will be able to describe the United States isolationism policy leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack and how that attack changed public opinion on joining World War II through the examination of music artifacts, newspaper articles, veteran interviews, and interviews with people on the street in the days following the attack.

In this lesson, students will examine different artifacts related to the song “Remember Pearl Harbor” in order to be introduced to the historic significance of Pearl Harbor. Students will then analyze newspaper articles to develop arguments for and against the United States entering World War II before Pearl Harbor to understand America’s isolation policy. Students will also use newspaper clippings in an investigation to answer the question, “Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor?” Lastly, students will listen to interviews with American civilians in the days after Pearl Harbor and World War II veterans who were stationed at Pearl Harbor.

Before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Americans were divided on what role the United States should have in World War II, if any role at all. Since the end of World War I, the dominating sentiment in American foreign policy was isolationism. In the 1930s, many Americans supported staying out of other countries’ affairs and focusing on problems at home, like the Great Depression.

Isolation sentiment was still the dominant point of view as World War II progressed throughout 1940 and 1941. Most isolationists were disillusioned with the United States’ role in World War I and did not believe the country needed to involve itself in European affairs again. Many who supported isolationism believed that neutrality, combined with shoring up the U.S. military defenses in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, would keep America safe.

Those who supported intervention argued that the Allies were a critical barrier between Germany and its influence into the Western Hemisphere. If the Allies were to fall, Germany would gain control of a significant part of territory and resources in the world. Some interventionists also believed that Germany would not stop its territorial expansion in Europe and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans would not be enough protection for the U.S. Therefore, interventionists called for action on the part of the United States to not only help the Allies but also as protection for the United States. Isolationism won out until the attack on Pearl Harbor, although President Roosevelt pushed to aid the Allies by providing supplies through the Cash-and-Carry policy and the Lend-Lease Act.

Before the 1930s, the relationship between Japan and the United States was considered friendly according to newspapers from the time period and historians. But as Japan expanded their sphere of influence into China and other countries in Asia in the 1930s, that relationship soured. As World War II progressed into 1941 and Japan continued its empire building, the United States set economic and trade restrictions on oil and other resources for Japan in response. The attack on Pearl Harbor was in part a response to these restrictions as well as an attempt to immobilize the U.S. Pacific Fleet so they could not interfere with Japan’s invasion of British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies.

On December 8, 1941, the U.S. declared war on Japan and in turn the Axis powers because of their alliance pact, bringing the U.S. into World War II. The song “Remember Pearl Harbor” was written in the week after the attack and could be considered a battle cry as well as a motivational plea in the fighting that was to come in World War II.

This lesson contains primary source documents and other materials that may include terms and images reflecting the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of different times that today are considered offensive and demeaning. TeachRock does not endorse the views expressed in these documents, but recognizes the value such materials provide for historical inquiry. For guidance on introducing controversial historical materials into the classroom, we suggest reviewingthis document from the Library of Congress.

1. An internet accessible device for each student
2. Sticky notes, two different colors
3. Tape
4. Highlighters

1. Distribute Slideshow 1 - “Remember Pearl Harbor” Artifacts to each student electronically.
2. Distribute Handout - Pearl Harbor Interviews to each student electronically.