How Did the American Public View World War II Before and After Pearl Harbor?

There is a commonly held notion that before the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the American populace was overwhelmingly determined to avoid involvement in World War II at all costs and believed they could do so. However, this view is not supported by the evidence. To understand the true nature of American public opinion, let's delve into some polling data from Gallup conducted before the attack.

Public Opinion Polling Data Before Pearl Harbor

Interviewing Date: November 27-December 1, 1941

Question: Do you think the United States will go to war against Japan sometime in the near future?

Yes: 52% No: 27%

Interviewing Date: October 9-14, 1941

Question: Which of these two things do you think is the more important— that this country keep out of war or that Germany be defeated?

Keep out of war: 32% Defeat Germany: 68%

Interviewing Date: September 19-24, 1941

Question: In general, do you approve or disapprove of having the United States navy shoot at German submarines or warships on sight?

Approve: 62% Disapprove: 28%

Interviewing Date: August 21-26, 1941

Question: Should the United States take steps now to keep Japan from becoming more powerful even if it means risking a war with Japan?

Yes: 70% No: 18%

While these polls show that there was a significant portion of the American public that was against direct military engagement, the evidence does indicate a growing sense of awareness that war was a possibility and a belief that combat with Japan was necessary to prevent their rise to power.

America's Awakening After Pearl Harbor

The attack on Pearl Harbor jolted America to its core. The "sleeping giant" was now fully awoken, and the US public's view on the war changed dramatically. Initially, Americans saw the attack as an act of wanton mischief. However, their studied silence in the face of Adolf Hitler's escalating adventurism in Europe had to end. This realization, combined with the need to protect their nation's interests, drew the United States into World War II.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt's impassioned speech the following day, known as the

D Day Message, eloquently expressed the necessity to stand against oppression and tyranny. The speech rallied the nation and marked the beginning of a collective resolve to fight for victory.

The American Public's Post-Pearl Harbor Sentiment

After Pearl Harbor, the American public’s sentiment shifted from apathy to a resolve to fight. They were resolute in their desire to avenge the attacks and bring about justice. The anger and determination were palpable. The subsequent bombing of Japanese cities like Kobe, Osaka, and Nagoya, as well as the attacks on Allied targets, further underscored the intensity of the American resolve. History shows that this tempered the public's response to events like the bombing of Dresden in 1945.

Keyword: World War II

Keyword: Pearl Harbor

Keyword: Public opinion

Keyword: United States

To gain a deeper insight into the public's reaction to specific events of World War II, you can explore more detailed coverage of the bombings of Hiroshima and Dresden. These pivotal moments highlight the intense emotions and the transformative effects of the war on the American public.