Ss
according to president roosevelt, why was japan's
attack on pearl harbor such a surprise?
yesterday, december 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in
infamy -- the united states of america was suddenly and
deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the
empire of japan. the united states was at peace with
that nation and, at the solicitation of japan, was still in
conversation with its government and its emperor
looking toward the maintenance of peace in the pacific
indeed, one hour after japanese air squadrons had
commenced bombing in the american island of oahu, the
japanese ambassador to the united states and his
colleague delivered to our secretary of state a formal
reply to a recent american message. and while this reply
stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing
diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat of hint of
war or of armed attack
japan and the united states were looking for ways
to solidify peace in the pacific
japan was an ally of the united states in world
war ii.
japan and the united states were supposed to
attack china together.
japan and the united states had positive foreign
relations