LAD #34: FDR's Declaration of War

President Roosevelt asked Congress for a declaration of war against the Japanese soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. He was confident in the United States armed forces and relied on the fact that people of the nation would come together to fight against the Japanese. When FDR brought the declaration to Congress, he asked the members to think about what could happen to the nation if we let the Japanese off the hook with no punishment. Not only had the Japanese acted aggressively in Pearl Harbor, but also at Midway and Hong Kong. With all of these violent acts under their belt, they clearly were not looking to make a peace treaty with the U.S. any time soon. Roosevelt's main argument to Congress was that war was necessary in order to protect the American people. In addition to protecting the people, declaration of war on Japan would enter the U.S. into WWII and also end the Great Depression.