Despite being allies in World War One, the treaty of Versailles as well as several events and aspects of America in the 1920's including an isolationist policy, and certain aspects of the depression left Japan with a distaste for America. Japan began its policy of imperialism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, beginning to claim several pacific islands for raw materials and military bases. in the Early 30's they took Manchuria, with only a slap on the wrist from the league of nations. Eventually, Japan attacked a neutral America in a surprise bombing of the US pacific fleet at the naval base in Pearl Harbor, HI on December 7, 1941- "a day that will live in infamy". Immediately, the next day, Roosevelt called congress into session to declare war on Japan and it's allies. FDR explains in his message the deliberate and deceptive relations between the US and Japan, whom recently stated that they wish to remain at peace. He assures the American people that America will not only defend itself, but will ensure that there is no such attack again, and will claim victory over its foes in the pacific.
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