War has played a key role in the history of the United States, from the nation's founding

right down to the present. War made the U.S. independent, kept it together, increased its size,

and established it as a global superpower. Understanding America's wars is essential for understanding American history.

Welcome to Key Battles of American History,

a podcast in which we discuss American history

through the lens of the most important battles of America's wars.

Here is your host, James Early.

Music host, James Early. Yesterday, December 7th, 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. That is a speech, of course, given by President

Franklin Roosevelt after the attack on Pearl Harbor asking Congress to declare war against Japan.

Why did he do that?

That's the thing we're going to answer right now.

Welcome back to our series on the Pacific War.

This is the beginning of the actual beginning of the war. Hostilities are going to break out. This is

an iconic event in American history, the Japanese attacked on Pearl Harbor. Before we actually

get into the attack, I would like to lay the ground with a mental map. People who've listened

to my series before with Scott will realize that I love to do these. I think

this will help you visualize situation. So let's start with the island of Oahu itself. The island

of Oahu is shaped roughly like a diamond. If you think of a set of playing cards and the way the

diamond is shaped on the diamond cards.

And then you tilt it to the side.

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