The American Republic Since 1877 © 2007

Chapter 19: A World in Flames, 1934—1941

Web Lesson Plans

Introduction
Students have read about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In this activity they will explore a multimedia map and time line to learn details about the attack that led the United States into World War II.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from the Remembering Pearl Harbor Web site to learn about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. They will navigate a multimedia map and time line to view photos and video clips from the attack. They will also hear audio clips of survivors' accounts of the day and read historical background of the attack. The multimedia map provides visual information about the naval base's geography and the locations of ships and airplanes that were stationed there. Students will then answer four questions and apply this information by writing a letter to President Roosevelt expressing their thoughts about the decision to declare war on Japan.

1. Students will use details to describe the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
2. Students will be able to use this knowledge to write a letter that describes the attack on Pearl Harbor.

1. Two survivors mention being surprised at the Japanese attack. One veteran states that he didn't think the Japanese had "the nerve to come over and attack Pearl Harbor." He didn't think they were capable of such an attack. Another veteran states that the general feeling was that the Japanese were too afraid to attempt an attack, and if they did, that the Americans would be able to defeat them easily.
2. The Japanese sent out midget submarines to stay submerged in the harbor until the attack began. Then the subs would cause as much damage as possible. Meanwhile, Japanese fighters, bombers, and torpedoes planned to destroy the Pacific Fleet from the air. The Japanese hoped to destroy the Pacific Fleet's aircraft carriers to thwart a U.S. retaliation, but the carriers were not in the harbor at the time of the attack.
3. When some sailors abandoned ship, they had to dive into burning oil. Shrapnel and debris were falling all around, and the entire atmosphere was chaotic as people tried to find safety. Some sailors had to contend with their ship listing as they tried to abandon ship, and some ended up trapped in their ship.
4. An armor-piercing bomb slammed through the deck and ignited more than a million pounds of gunpowder. In nine minutes the Arizona sank to the bottom of the harbor. Today a memorial has been erected above the sunken Arizona.
5. Students' letters will vary.