December 7th (long version)

US National Archives・2 minutes read

The War and Navy Departments seek a film detailing Hawaii before and after December 7th, 1941, with a focus on the Pearl Harbor attack. The surprise attack catches American forces off guard, leading to significant destruction and casualties, culminating in President Roosevelt condemning the treacherous act as a day of infamy.

Insights

  • The film sought by the War and Navy Departments aimed to depict Hawaii as a serene tropical paradise with a rich history of agricultural success and a significant Japanese population contributing positively to its economy and society.
  • Midshipman Lockhart's crucial warning of an approaching large formation of planes, if heeded, could have provided valuable time for defensive action on the day of the Pearl Harbor attack, underscoring the missed opportunity that might have changed the course of events.

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Recent questions

  • What was the impact of the Pearl Harbor attack?

    The Pearl Harbor attack had a significant impact, catching American forces off guard and leading to substantial destruction and casualties. The surprise attack resulted in damage to American ships and infrastructure, prompting a valiant fight back from American forces. The aftermath saw a loss of life, with President Roosevelt condemning the act as a day of infamy. Hawaii swiftly responded by implementing civil defense preparations, promoting War Bonds, and detaining disloyal individuals. Despite changes like the closure of Japanese language schools and temples, no acts of sabotage occurred on December 7th.

  • How did Hawaii respond to the Pearl Harbor attack?

    Hawaii responded swiftly to the Pearl Harbor attack by preparing civil defense measures, such as building shelters, setting up anti-aircraft systems, and distributing gas masks. War Bonds were actively promoted and purchased, with individuals like Tomai Kajiwara contributing towards them. Dr. Shunzo Sakamagi's trust in Japanese youth was justified as they fulfilled their quotas, while disloyal individuals were detained and had their businesses seized. Despite rumors and Tokyo's influence, no acts of sabotage occurred in Hawaii on December 7th.

  • What were the key events during the Pearl Harbor attack?

    The Pearl Harbor attack began with a surprise aerial assault on American forces, catching them off guard and resulting in significant destruction and casualties. Japanese planes targeted specific locations with detailed maps, initiating the attack at 7:55 am. Despite the devastation, American forces fought back valiantly, reducing the number of Japanese planes and salvaging damaged ships. The aftermath of the attack saw Hawaii implementing civil defense measures, promoting War Bonds, and detaining disloyal individuals.

  • How did the Japanese community contribute to Hawaii?

    The Japanese community in Hawaii made significant contributions to the economy and society, emphasizing loyalty to the United States. They preserved their culture and religion, including Shintoism, while actively participating in Hawaii's agricultural success with sugar cane and pineapples. Despite potential loyalty concerns, the Japanese-American citizens were loyal to the United States, as highlighted by their contributions to Hawaii's economy and society.

  • What changes occurred in Hawaii after the Pearl Harbor attack?

    The aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack brought significant changes to Hawaii, with landmarks like the Aloha Tower and Waikiki Beach transformed by the war. Despite the closure of Japanese language schools and temples, no acts of sabotage occurred on December 7th. The text reflects on the need for a safer world, emphasizing democracy and international cooperation, with hopes for peace and references to historical figures like Woodrow Wilson.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Hawaii: Pre and Post Pearl Harbor"

  • The War and Navy Departments seek a film detailing Hawaii before and after December 7th, 1941.
  • The Secretary of War requests a factual film on the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.
  • Hawaii is described as a tropical paradise, offering a quick escape from the mainland.
  • The transformation from mainland chaos to Hawaiian tranquility is highlighted.
  • The history of Hawaii's agricultural success with sugar cane and pineapples is detailed.
  • The Japanese population in Hawaii, comprising 37% of the total, is discussed.
  • The Japanese community's contributions to Hawaii's economy and society are emphasized.
  • The loyalty of the Japanese-American citizens to the United States is underscored.
  • The Japanese community's preservation of their culture and religion, including Shintoism, is outlined.
  • The potential loyalty concerns regarding Japanese-Americans are raised, referencing the Japanese Exclusion Law and expatriation statistics.

19:58

"Japanese Presence and Espionage in America"

  • Japanese presence in America, with schools and temples
  • Vigilant American police forces and naval fortress
  • Reports from Japanese Consulate General and vice-consuls
  • Observers' reports on Pearl Harbor proximity to sugar cane fields
  • Plans for new aircraft runway construction
  • Information on American military strength and new bombers
  • Japanese espionage activities and intelligence gathering
  • Tokyo's monitoring of American military movements
  • Ethnic diversity and population breakdown in Hawaii
  • Precautions taken at Army and Navy installations before the attack on Pearl Harbor

43:14

Pearl Harbor Attack: Day of Infamy

  • Midshipman Lockhart warns of a large formation of planes approaching North Oahu, 200 km away, believed to be B17s from the continent.
  • Lockhart's warning, if heeded, could have provided crucial time for defensive action on the fateful day.
  • At 7:50 am, the roar of planes is heard approaching from the south, southeast, and north, signaling the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  • Japanese planes, well-informed about American defenses, target specific locations with detailed maps, initiating the attack at 7:55 am.
  • The surprise attack catches American forces off guard, leading to significant destruction and casualties.
  • The attack subsides momentarily, with civilians initially mistaking it for military maneuvers before realizing the severity.
  • The attack's second phase commences, resulting in further damage to American ships and infrastructure.
  • Despite the devastation, American forces valiantly fight back, reducing the number of Japanese planes and salvaging damaged ships.
  • The attack's aftermath sees a significant loss of life, with President Roosevelt condemning the treacherous act as a day of infamy.
  • Hawaii's swift response to the attack includes civil defense preparations, such as building shelters, setting up anti-aircraft systems, and distributing gas masks.

01:13:27

"Hawaii's Response to Pearl Harbor Attack"

  • War Bonds were actively promoted and purchased, with individuals like Tomai Kajiwara contributing $25 towards them.
  • Dr. Shunzo Sakamagi's trust in the Japanese youth was justified as they fulfilled their quotas, while disloyal individuals were detained and had their businesses seized.
  • Despite rumors and Tokyo's influence, no acts of sabotage occurred in Hawaii on December 7th, despite changes like the closure of Japanese language schools and Shinto temples.
  • The aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack saw significant changes in Hawaii, with landmarks like the Aloha Tower and Waikiki Beach transformed by the war.
  • The text reflects on the need for a safer world, emphasizing democracy and international cooperation, with references to historical figures like Woodrow Wilson and future hopes for peace.
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