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Pearl Harbor was the beginning of a war between two countries that would last nearly 4 years and cost hundreds of thousands of lives. The attack was swift and successful for the Japanese and it caught the Americans totally off guard. The “Day that will live in infamy” drew the United States into a World War in which would change American history forever. The political climate in the pacific area in 1940 was filled with turmoil. The …

…since a declaration of war was not given it outraged the US. The attack caused rage within the American people and they rallied quickly to bear arms against the Japanese. Also, most ships damaged at Pearl Harbor were rebuilt within a year. So, this attack can be summed up by what Admiral Yamamoto said after the attack, "I fear all we have done is to awaken the sleeping giant, and fill him with terrible resolve."