Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor played a significant part in the U.S. and Japan's relationship (7 facts). Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor was the first attack on American soil since the civil war (Notes in class). Japan had wanted to expand, but the U.S. opposed (Behind Pearl Harbor). Because Japan felt threatened by the U.S., they decided to strike first and bomb Pearl Harbor (Behind Pearl Harbor). U.S. involvement in WWll was very minimal until the surprise bombing of Pearl Harbor, which launched the U.S. into the heart of the war ( WWll). Without Japan bombing Pearl Harbor, the US might never have entered WWII, which would have most likely radically changed the outcome.
"When a general raised objections to the use of the bombs, Truman responded by noting the atrocities of Pearl Harbor and said that 'When you have to deal with a beast you have to treat him as a beast.'"