Pearl Harbor and 9/11 have been compared together since the 9/11 attacks. This thesis analyzes the two from the viewpoints of the politicians, the media, and finally the effects on culture. Sources were gathered from newspapers, books, journal articles, government resources, and internet web sites. Pearl Harbor and 9/11 are similar on the surface, but upon looking into further circumstances, dissimilarities are found between the two events. With sixty years between the two events the outcome and delayed reactions are different, but the initial response is similar In modern military history two events have become iconic in their status in the American society. These events are the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and the attacks against America on September 11, 2001 (9/11). On December 7, 1941, the American naval base Pearl Harbor was attacked by forces of the Empire of Japan. On 9/11 the World Trade Center was attacked by militant Islamic men. These men hijacked two planes and crashed the planes into the World Trade Center in New York. A third plane was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC. A fourth plane crashed into a field southeast of Pittsburgh due to resistance from the crew and passengers. The American presidents at the time of the attacks both gave speeches shortly after the attacks. The speeches were designed to inform and to reassure the American people. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the president at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, gave a speech to Congress which was recorded so the American people knew what had occurred. George W. Bush, the American president during the September, 11th 2001, event, addressed the nation later on September 11th. In the speech President Bush informed the public of an attack occurring on American soil. He spent much of his address explaining the things the government knew regarding the attack, and the governmentís reaction, and finally delivering comfort to the American people. The public underwent many emotions in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. There was fear of a believed imminent attack. Americans felt anger, and some wanted revenge on the Japanese. There was a prevalent fear of an imminent invasion of the United States. Disbelief was demonstrated as American citizens wondered how this attack on Pearl Harbor had succeeded. The actions inspired by the emotions were varied. Some Americans expressed their emotions by music. Patriotism and Nationalism were seen by increased recruitment into the armed forces. The Japanese-Americans were anxious of how the Pearl Harbor attack affected their portrayal in society. A nation relies on its government in many ways. When natural disasters hit and an area is devastated, people call on emergency aid. When a country is attacked, a nation will rally behind its leaders to prevent what occurred from happening again. After having lunch in the Oval Office on Sunday December 7, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt received a phone call from the Secretary of State. In this phone call Roosevelt was informed of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. On September 11, 2001, while President George W. Bush was observing a class at Emma E. Booker Elementary School he was informed by an aide of the first and second terrorist attacks by plane. Within a day of both attacks on America
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Due to the quantity of data gathered by the nationís intelligence agency decisions have to be made if the information given truly constitutes a threat to be concerned about or not. In the cases of Pearl Harbor and 9/11 there may have been intelligence that was not listed as a high priority concerning the possible attacks.
Politically, for six years after Pearl Harbor the American people had united behind its leaders, and World War II had ended both in Europe and the Pacific. The United States was well thought of due to its joining the war and subsequent rebuilding of Europe after the war. Six years after 9/11, America is still engaged in the War on Terrorism. Politically support for the war has eroded both inside the country and by those countries who once lent their assistance. The United States is not well thought of due to othersí views of its international
Due to the quantity of data gathered by the nationís intelligence agency decisions have to be made if the information given truly constitutes a threat to be concerned about or not. In the cases of Pearl Harbor and 9/11 there may have been intelligence that was not listed as a high priority concerning the possible attacks.
Politically, for six years after Pearl Harbor the American people had united behind its leaders, and World War II had ended both in Europe and the Pacific. The United States was well thought of due to its joining the war and subsequent rebuilding of Europe after the war. Six years after 9/11, America is still engaged in the War on Terrorism. Politically support for the war has eroded both inside the country and by those countries who once lent their assistance. The United States is not well thought of due to othersí views of its international