LAD #34

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt urged Congress to declare war on the kingdom of Japan. According to Roosevelt, this declaration would have the support of the American people and would reflect a pre-existing sentiments that existed against Japanese aggression. In asking for this declaration of war, Roosevelt provided multiple justifications for an abandonment of the country's isolationist policies. The Japanese had planned the attack- likely the product of several weeks/months of planning- while mainting a front of diplomatic relations with the United States. In response to the attack, Japanese diplomats continued to assure the United States that their intentions were peaceful. For these reasons, they could not be trusted. American lives had been lost at Pearl Harbor and on other vessels that had been torpedoed by Japanese missiles. Japan had also taken an aggressive stance in the Pacific by attacking the Phillippines and Guam. At this point, President Roosevelt believed that the country was justified in declaring war and the country would renew mobilization efforts soon after.